Pigtails. The European nickname for the Chinese on account of their shaven heads and braided pigtails.
Pikes. The name given in California to the poor southern whites, most of whom came from Pike County, Missouri. See “[Pukes].”
Pilgrim. From the Italian pellegrino, “a visitor to foreign lands.” Since the days of Peter the Hermit and the Crusades this term has been confined to one who travels on foot to worship at a holy shrine, whether he be a Christian, Mohammedan, or Buddhist. See “Palmer.”
Pillow Lace. So called because produced by twisted threads around rows of pins arranged on a cushion or pillow.
Pilot Jack. The name given to the “Union Jack” when flown from the mast-head in the merchant service as a signal for a pilot.
Pimlico. This was originally a district of tea gardens for holiday folk, with a specialité for nut-brown ales. It received its name from Ben Pimlico, the owner of a noted resort in Hoxton on the site of what is now the Britannia Theatre. The nut-brown ale was first popularised by this worthy, who could not have regarded the application of his name to ales purveyed elsewhere with much favour. From “Pimlico Ales,” the neighbourhood itself soon came to be known as Pimlico.
Pimlico Walk. It is hard to believe that this was once a regular holiday promenade for the citizens of London. On Sundays and on week-day evenings it was thronged, skirting as it did the famous tea gardens of Ben Pimlico, in whose retired arbours courting couples softly murmured “sweet nothings.” This resort was to Londoners of a bygone day what Rosherville is in our own time. From a tea garden it developed into what was styled a “saloon,” and eventually into a regular theatre.
Pinafore. Literally an apron pinned on the bosom and at the hips of the wearer. The modern example of a pinafore with armholes is pinned or buttoned behind.
Pinchbeck. A mixture of copper, zinc, and tin, out of which metal watch cases and cheap jewellery were formerly made. So called after its inventor, Christopher Pinchbeck of Fleet Street.
Pindaric Verse. A style of verse, irregular in regard to metre, imitative of the Odes of Pindar, the Roman poet.