Peabody Buildings. After George Peabody, the American philanthropist, who left a huge fortune in trust for the building of “model dwellings” for the poorer classes. His statue, at the back of the Royal Exchange, was unveiled 23rd July 1869.
Peach. A schoolboy term for to inform against another. In allusion to the fruit of this name, it means to turn soft-hearted, and betray. In American the word is used to denote a pretty woman or anything soft and beautiful.
Peacock. An inn sign dating from the Crusades, when, the flesh of the peacock being deemed incorruptible, this bird was adopted by many a knight as a crest, typical of the Resurrection. “By the peacock” was a common oath in those days.
Pearl Bible. So called from the name of the printing type employed in its composition.
Peckham. A corruption of Beckham, a home or settlement among the becks or brooks.
Peckham Rye. In its application to common, the word “Rye” comes from the Anglo-Saxon ree, a watercourse.
Peculiar People. Originally those who believed that disease was the direct consequence of sin, and that by prayer alone could it be removed. See “[Faith Healers].”
Pedlar. An itinerant trader, so called in conformity with the Latin pedes, the feet.
Pedro the Cruel. The surname of the King of Castile and Leon, who, midway in the fourteenth century, murdered his two brothers and poisoned his queen. How he meted out punishment to those outside his own family may be guessed.
Peeler. The old name for a policeman, after Sir Robert Peel, to whom the introduction of the modern system of Watch and Ward was due.