Pig’s eye, the ace of diamonds in cards.
Pig’s whisper, a low or inaudible whisper; also a short space of time, synonymous with “cockstride,” i.e., cock’s tread.
Pike, a turnpike; “to bilk a PIKE,” to cheat the keeper of the toll-gate. Mr. Tony Weller makes many amusing remarks on PIKES and PIKE-keepers. Since the first edition of this work was published, PIKES and PIKE-keepers have departed from amongst us, so far as London and its immediate vicinity are concerned.
Pike, to run, to be off with speed.
Pike it, is said as a hasty and contemptuous, if not angry, dismissal, “if you don’t like it, take a short stick and PIKE it.” This is but a form of the attempts at rhyming smartness common in London.
“Joe quickly his sand had sold, sir,
And Bess got a basket of rags;
Then up to St. Giles’s they roll’d, sir;
To every bunter Bess brags.
Then unto the gin-shop they PIKE IT,
And Bess was admitted, we hear;
For none of the crew dare but like it,
As Joey, her kiddy, was there,”
“’Twas not our fault, dear Jack; we saw the watch going into the house the moment we came there, and we thought it proper to PIKE OFF.”—The Prison Breaker, a Farce.
Pikey, a tramp or gipsy. A PIKEY-cart is in various parts of the country one of those habitable vehicles suggestive of a wandering life. Possibly the term has reference to one who constantly uses the PIKE, or turnpike road.
Pile, a sum of money; generally the whole of a man’s private means. A term originally peculiar to Californian miners, in reference to their accumulated dust and nuggets. American gamblers speak of “putting all the PILE on” when they fancy anything very much. “To go the whole PILE” runs level with our sporting phrase, “To go a raker.”
Pill, a doctor.—Military. Pill-driver, a peddling apothecary.