Pion, m. and adj. (familiar), un ——, an usher at a school, or “bum-brusher.” Properly a pawn; (thieves’) louse, “grey-back, or German duck.” The Slang Dictionary says: “These pretty little things are called by many names, among others by those of ‘grey-backs’ and ‘gold-backed ’uns,’ which are popular among those who have most interest in the matter.” Etre ——, to be drunk. From an old word pier, to drink. Villon in his Grand Testament, fifteenth century, has the word with the signification of toper, drunkard:—
Brief, on n’eust sçeu en ce monde chercher
Meilleur pion, pour boire tost et tard.
Faictes entrer quand vous orrez trucher
L’ame du bon feu maistre Jehan Cotard.
Rabelais uses pion with the same signification:—
Ce feut ici que mirent à bas culs
Joyeusement quatre gaillards pions,
Pour banqueter à l’honneur de Bacchus,
Buvants à gré comme beaulx carpions.