Et j’fais autant d’béguins,
Que si j’étais peckin.
E. Ouvrard.
The expression is used also by civilians with the signification of man, “party.” The term “party” is said to have arisen in the old English justice courts, where, to save “his worship” and the clerk of the court any trouble in exercising their memories with the names of the different plaintiffs, defendants, and witnesses, the word party was generally employed. (Familiar and popular) Pékin chic, swell; generous or clever fellow. S’habiller en ——, to dress in mufti. (Popular) Bousculeur de ——, workman who hates middle-class people, and who seeks to annoy them—a mason, for instance, who, going by a well-dressed person, brushes with his sackful of plaster against the person’s coat, &c. (Saint-Cyr cadets’) Pékin de bahut, a cadet who has finished his studies. The word “pékin” is synonymous of “chinois,” a term of contempt.
Pélago, or Pélague, f. (thieves’), the prison of Sainte-Pélagie, where offenders against the press laws are confined.
On l’a fourré dans la tirelire
Avec les pègres d’Pélago.
Richepin.
Pélard, m. (thieves’), hay. From pelouse.
Pélarde, f. (thieves’), scythe.