Poona, a sovereign. Corruption of “pound;” or from the Lingua Franca.
Pop, to pawn or pledge; “to POP up the spout,” to pledge at the pawnbroker’s,—an allusion to the spout up which the brokers send the ticketed articles until such times as they shall be redeemed. The spout runs from the ground-floor to the wareroom at the top of the house. Ginger-beer is also known as POP.
Pop the question, to make an offer of marriage.
Pope’s-eye, a peculiar little part in a leg of mutton, much esteemed by lovers of that joint.
Pope’s nose, the extremity of the rump of a roast fowl, sometimes devilled as a dainty for epicures. Also known as “the parson’s NOSE.”
Pops, pocket-pistols.
Porterhouse steak, an American term for a steak which contains a small bone. In the States, tender-loin steaks are much eaten. These are from what we call the undercut of the sirloin.
Portrait, a sovereign. Modification of “Queen’s picture.”
Posa, a treasurer. A corruption of “purser,” the name given to the treasurer in the large Anglo-Chinese mercantile establishments.—Anglo-Chinese.
Posh, a halfpenny, or trifling coin. Also a generic term for money.