PADRE, a clergyman.—Anglo Indian.
PAL, a partner, acquaintance, friend, an accomplice. Gipsey, a brother.
PALAVER, to ask, or talk,—not deceitfully, as the term usually signifies; “PALAVER to the nibs for a shant of bivvy,” ask the master for a quart of beer. In this sense used by tramps.—Derived from French, PARLER.
PALL, to detect.
PALM OIL, or PALM SOAP, money.
PALMING, robbing shops by pairs,—one thief bargaining with apparent intent to purchase, whilst the other watches his opportunity to steal. An amusing example of PALMING came off some time since. A man entered a “ready made” boot and shoe shop and desired to be shown a pair of boots,—his companion staying outside and amusing himself by looking in at the window. The one who required to be fresh shod was apparently of a humble and deferential turn, for he placed his hat on the floor directly he stepped in the shop. Boot after boot was tried on until at last a fit was obtained,—when lo, forth came a man, snatched up the customer’s hat left near the door, and down the street he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Away went the customer after his hat, and Crispin, standing at the door, clapped his hands and shouted “go it, you’ll catch him,”—little thinking that it was a concerted trick, and that neither his boots nor the customer would ever return. Palming sometimes refers to secreting money or rings in the hand.
PAM, the knave of clubs; or, in street phraseology, Lord Palmerston.
PANNAM, food, bread.—Lingua Franca, PANNEN; Latin, PANIS; Ancient cant, YANNAM.
PANNAM-BOUND, stopping the prison food or rations to a prisoner. PANNAM-STRUCK, very hungry.
PANNIKIN, a small pan.