“And then he pulled a dial from his POKE.”
Poke. “Come, none of your POKING fun at me,” i.e., you must not laugh at me.
Poker. “By the holy POKER and the tumbling Tom!” an Irish oath.
Pokers, or SILVER POKERS, the Bedels of the Vice-Chancellor, who carry silver maces, and accompany him through the streets. They are also officers of his court.—University.
“Around, around, all, all around.
On seats with velvet lined,
Sat Heads of Houses in a row,
And Deans and College Dons below,
With a POKER or two behind.”
Poky, confined or cramped; “that corner is POKY and narrow.” Housewives describe a small uncomfortable room as “a POKY hole.” Saxon, POKE, a sack.
Policeman, a fly—more especially the kind known as “blue bottle.” Also, among the dangerous classes, a man who is unworthy of confidence, a sneak or mean fellow.
Polish off, to finish off anything quickly—a dinner, for instance; also to finish off an adversary.—Pugilistic.
Poll, at Cambridge, the “ordinary degree” candidates for the B.A. Examination, who do not aspire to the “Honours” list. From the Greek, οἱ πόλλοι, “the many.”
Poll, to beat or distance, as in a race; to utterly vanquish in competition. Term much used by printers.