Portsoken Ward. One of the wards of the city of London, so called because anciently the thirteen knights styled the “English Knighten Guild,” claimed the soken, or franchise, at the porta, or gate, to their ward in return for services rendered to King Edgar by their ancestors.
Portugal. From the ancient name of the capital city, Portus Cale, “the gate of Gaul.”
Portugal Street. In compliment to Catherine of Braganza, queen of Charles II.
Portuguese Hymn. The “Adesta Fidelis,” so called from the erroneous assumption of the Duke of Leeds that it was part of the regular service in Catholic Portugal, since he first heard it sung in the private chapel of the Portuguese Ambassador in London.
Portway. The name given to that portion of a great Roman highway in this country wherever it was crossed by an arch or within sight of a walled city; from porta, gate.
Poser. A corruption of “Opposer”; derived from collegiate argumentative examinations.
Poses Plastiques. French for “statuesque attitudes.”
Poster. So called because auction, play, and other public announcements[announcements] were first exhibited on the posts separating the roadway from the side walk. Being stuck on these posts, the bills were said to be “posted.”
Post Paper. So called from the original watermark, a post horn, which it bore.
Pot Boilers. Specifically pictures painted by a poor artist for ready sale to a dealer in order to “Keep the pot boiling.” The term is also employed by authors and journalists in the same sense.