Parliament. From the French parlerment, founded on the Latin verb parler, to speak. See “[Parlour].”
Parliamentarians. The forces under the Parliament of the Commonwealth under Cromwell during the Civil War with Charles I. and the Royalists.
Parliamentary Whip. One whose duty it is to hunt up Members of the House of Commons when questions of grave import are being put to the vote.
Parliament of Dunces. That convened at Coventry by Henry IV. in 1404 because it did not number among its members a single lawyer. Sir Edward Coke styled this the “Unlearned” and also the “Lawless Parliament.”
Parlour. Originally the apartment reserved for visitors where conversation could be indulged undisturbed. See “[Parliament].”
Parnellites. The Home Rule party in Ireland during the lifetime of their political leader, Charles Stewart Parnell.
Parry Islands. Discovered by Rear-Admiral Sir William Parry in the course of his search for the North-West Passage.
Parsees. The modern designation of the Zoroastrians or Fire Worshippers in Persia and India. The Parsees were the original inhabitants of Persia, a wild Ayrian family called the Parsa, meaning “The Tigers.” By the Greeks the territory they overran was styled Perseus, on account of their chief stronghold, Persipolis, “the city of the Parsa,” the ruins of which may yet be seen. The modern Parsees are therefore descendants of those who refused to embrace Mohammedanism.
Parsons Green. Prior to the year 1740 the parsonage of Fulham Parish Church stood facing this green. On its roof was a cross which bore the name of “Parson’s Cross,” afterwards corrupted into “Percy Cross.”
Partridge Day. The first of September, when partridge shooting commences.