Pantomime. In the modern sense a pantomime is an entertainment in which current events or fashionable foibles are introduced by way of burlesque. Formerly it denoted a performance of Italian comedy in which the action took place in dumb show, so called from the Greek pantomimos, an imitator of all or everything. The Roman mimes or mimi were not theatrical performers, but mutes at funerals, whose function it was to imitate the characteristic actions of the deceased--e.g. the virtue of generosity.
Panton Street. After a noted gamester, Colonel Thomas Panton, whose daughter became connected by marriage with the family of the ground landlord, Lord Arundel of Wardour.
Pants. Short for “pantaloons,” an Americanism for trousers. See “[Pantaloon].”
Panyer Alley. This was an alley behind an ancient church facing Cheapside, where the bakers stood with their bread paniers. The word “panier” is French for a bread basket.
Pan’s Pipes. The primitive reed instrument named after Pan, the god of shepherds.
Pansy. From the French “penseé,” which in the Language of Flowers means “thoughts.”
Papa. See “[Pope].”
Papal Bull. So called on account of the bulla, a seal embellished with the symbol of St Peter.
Paper. From the Greek papyros, the Egyptian plant out of the reeds of which the earliest writing material was made.
Paper King. John Law, the projector of the Mississippi Scheme, whose prospectus promised fortunes that were never realised by the luckless speculators.