Overlay.—A scrap of paper pasted on the tympan-sheet to bring up the impression.
Overrunning.—Carrying words backward or forward in correcting.
Page-cord.—Twine used for tying up pages.
Passing the make-up.—Passing to the next hand in order the lines remaining (if any) after a compositor has made up his matter, together with the gauge and proper folio.
Peel.—A broad, thin board with a long handle.
Perfecting.—Printing the second form of a sheet.
Perforating rule.—Brass or steel rule, somewhat higher than type.
Pi.—Type promiscuously intermingled.
Pick.—A particle of ink or paper imbedded in the hollow of a letter, filling up its face and occasioning a spot.
Pigs.—An ancient nickname given in derision by compositors to pressmen. The press-room was called a pigsty.