PROG, meat, food, &c. _Johnson_ calls it “a low word.”
PROP, a gold scarf pin.
PROP-NAILER, a man who steals, or rather snatches, pins from
gentlemen’s scarfs.
PROPS, crutches.
PROPER, very, exceedingly, sometimes ironically; “you are a PROPER nice
fellow,” meaning a great scamp.
PROS, a water-closet. Abbreviated form of πρὸς τινα τόπον.—_Oxford
University._
PROSS, breaking in, or instructing, a stage-infatuated
youth.—_Theatrical._
PSALM-SMITER, a “Ranter,” one who sings at a conventicle.—_See_ BRISKET
BEATER.
PUB, or PUBLIC, a public-house.
PUCKER, poor temper, difficulty, _déshabillé_.
PUCKER, or PUCKER UP, to get in a poor temper.
PUCKERING, talking privately.
PUDDING SNAMMER, one who robs a cook shop.
PUFF, to blow up, swell with praise, was declared by a writer in the
_Weekly Register_, as far back as 1732, to be illegitimate.
“PUFF has become a cant word, signifying the applause set forth by
writers, &c., to increase the reputation and sale of a book, and is
an excellent stratagem to excite the curiosity of gentle readers.”
Lord Bacon, however, used the word in a similar sense a century before.
PULL, an advantage, or hold upon another; “I’ve the PULL over you,”
_i.e._, you are in my power—perhaps an oblique allusion to the judicial
sense.—_See the following._
PULL, to have one apprehended; “to be PULLED up,” to be taken before a
magistrate.
PULL, to drink; “come, take a PULL at it,” _i.e._, drink up.
PULLEY, a confederate thief,—generally a woman.
PUMMEL, to thrash,—from POMMEL.