Prigs.—Pickpockets, and snappers-up of unconsidered trifles in general—from a needle to an anchor!
Prime Twig.—In high condition.
Pudding Sleeves.—A parson.
Pull Out.—To come it strong.
Punch.—From the Indian word punj (five); so called from its five ingredients, viz., spirit, water, lemon, sugar and spice. It was introduced into England from Spain, where it is called ponche. It is said to be a great “contradiction,” because it is composed of spirits to make it strong, and water to make it weak, of lemon juice to make it sour, and sugar to make it sweet.
Pupil’s-straits.—School tuition.
Q.
Quean.—A slut, or worthless woman, a strumpet.
Queer.—Bad. To Queer, to puzzle, or confound.
Quid.—A guinea, rather a scarce article now.