O.P. Riot.—When the new Covent Garden Theatre was opened in 1809, the charges of admission were increased; but night after night for three months a throng crowded the pit shouting O.P. (old prices), much damage was done, and the manager was obliged at last to give way.
Out-and-Outer.—A real good one.
Oxberry, William.—An actor of many parts: who held a very respectable position at various metropolitan theatres—and was a friend and contemporary with Pierce Egan, W. T. Moncrieff, Leman Rede, Tom Hudson and Beuler—the funny John Reeve—a great body of talent on or off the boards. Bob Keeley—the multum in parvo, and other choice spirits of the day, who frequently paid a visit to the coffee-room at the Craven’s Head, Drury Lane, when “Billy” Oxberry—that comical wight, acted the part of Boniface, to hear him tell his tales, and relate his theatrical and other adventures he had met with in playing “The Five P’s,” viz., the Printer, Poet, Publisher, Publican, and Player. (1784-1824.)
P.
Pad.—The highway, or a robber thereon; also a bed. Footpads, foot robbers. To go out upon the pad, to go out in order to commit a robbery. To pad the hoof, to walk. Padding-ken, a tramp’s lodging-house.
Paddington Fair Day.—An execution day; Tyburn being in the parish or neighbourhood of Paddington. To dance the Paddington frisk, to be hanged.
Pal.—A companion, one who generally accompanies another, or who commit robberies together.
Parker.—To part or pay money.
Patter.—To speak. Patterer, a noisy talkative street hawker of songs, last dying speeches, &c.
Patter-Flash.—To talk flash, or the language of thieves.