Piffard, m. (popular), the possessor of a nose remarkable on account of its large proportions or vermilion hue, like that of a drunkard, an “Admiral of the Red,” whose nasal organ bears “grog blossoms.”
Piffe, m. (thieves’), breech, or “blind cheek.” See [Vasistas].
Piffer (popular), to be discontented, or to look disappointed, “down in the mouth.” Synonymous of “faire son nez.”
Pige, f. (thieves’), year, or “stretch;” hour; prison, or “stir.” See [Motte]. (Familiar) Faire la ——, to race. (Printers’) Pige, a certain number of lines to be composed in an hour. Prendre sa ——, to ascertain the length of a page or column.
Pigeon, m. (card-sharpers’). Elever des pigeons, to entice dupes into playing in order to fleece them of their money. (General) Pigeon, a gullible or soft person, a “pigeon.” The vagabonds and brigands of Spain also used the word in their “germania,” or robber’s language, “palomo,” ignorant, simple. In the sporting world “sharps and flats” are often called “rooks and pigeons” respectively—sometimes “spiders and flies.” When the “pigeon” has been done, he then is entitled to the appellation of “muggins.” Pigeon voyageur, a girl of indifferent character who travels up and down a line seeking for clients. (Cocottes’) Avoir son ——, to have found a client, to have a “flat.” (Theatrical) Pigeon, part payment of a fee due to an author by the manager of a theatre. (Familiar) Aile de ——, old-fashioned. An allusion to the headdress preserved by émigrés on their return to France.
Pigeonner (familiar and popular), to dupe, or “to do.”
Dans celle-là, ce n’est plus moi qui pige, c’est moi qui suis pigeonné.—Mémoires de Monsieur Claude.
Pigeonnier, m. (familiar), the boudoir of a cocotte.
Piger (general), to detect; to take, “to collar;” to apprehend, “to nab.”
Eh! la Gribouille, comment que t’as été pigée, dit une vagabonde à une autre.—Louise Michel.