Philip, a policeman. The word is loudly given as a signal that the police are approaching.
Philiper, a thief’s accomplice, one who stands by and looks out for the police while the others commit a robbery, and who calls out “Philip!” when any one approaches.
Philistine, a policeman. The German students call all townspeople not of their body “Philister,” as ours say “cads.” The departing student says, mournfully, in one of the Burschenlieder—
“Muss selber nun Philister sein!”
i.e., “I must now myself Philistine be!” Also, a man who is of a set opposed to one’s own. Society is supposed to regard all outside its bounds as belonging to the Philistine world. Bohemians regard all cleanly, orderly people who conform to conventionality as Philistines.
Physog, or PHIZ, the face. Swift uses the latter word. Corruption of PHYSIOGNOMY.
Picaroon, a pirate or buccaneer originally; now an ordinary thief.
Piccadilly butchers, a satirical name applied by the crowd to the regiment of Horse Guards, known as the “Royal Blues,” from their savage onslaught upon the crowd on the occasion of the arrest of Sir Francis Burdett at his house in Piccadilly, by order of the Speaker of the House of Commons. See [Cheesemongers].
Piccadilly weepers, long carefully combed-out whiskers of the Dundreary fashion.
Pick, “to PICK oneself up,” to recover after a beating or illness, sometimes varied to “PICK up one’s crumbs;” “to PICK a man up,” “to do,” or cheat him.