Platine States.
The name given to the South American Republics bordering on the River Plate, namely, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Plébiscite.
The submission of a question to the direct national vote, instead of to a vote of the elected representatives. It was adopted by Napoleon III after the Coup d’Etat of 1851, when he referred to the people the question of his assumption of the Imperial dignity.
Plimsoll’s Act.
The Merchant Shipping Act of 1876, passed owing to the efforts of Mr. Plimsoll on behalf of merchant seamen. It contains provisions preventing unseaworthy ships from leaving English ports, and regulates the load line and deck cargoes. The mark indicating the waterline of a fully loaded ship is known as the Plimsoll Mark.
Plon-Plon.
The nickname of Prince Napoleon, son of Jerome Bonaparte. It was given him during the Crimean war, and is a euphemism for Craint-Plomb (Fear Bullet).
Pochi Danari.
The Penniless, a nickname given by the Italians to the Emperor Maximilian I (1493-1519).