Porc-épic, m. (thieves’), the Holy Sacrament. An allusion to the metal beams which encircle the Host.
Portanche, m. (thieves’), doorkeeper.
Port d’armes, m. (military), laisser au ——, to leave the service before another; to leave one waiting.
Porte, f. (familiar and popular), ne plus pouvoir passer sous la —— Saint-Denis, to be an injured husband. Alluding to the height of his horns. Un clos ——, a doorkeeper. A play on the words clot porte and cloporte, woodlouse. It must be said that in Paris the concierges are generally much detested by lodgers, and deservedly so.
Et quoique d’aucuns m’appell’t clos porte
J’n’ai pas fait l’vœu d’passer pour sot.
Lamentations du Portier d’en face.
Porté, adj. (familiar and popular), sur l’article, one with a well-developed bump of amativeness; (military schools’) —— sur la liste des élèves morts, on the sick list.
Porte-aumusse, m. (popular), master shoemaker, or “snob.”
Porte-balle, m. (popular), humpback, or “lord.”