1749. Smollett, Gil Blas [Routledge], 328. Yet he was not so pigeon-livered as to surrender without an effort in my favour.
1836. Clarke, Ollapodiana Papers. One haw-buck dancer—a fellow whom I caught in several vulgar attempts to achieve a pigeon-wing—came up to me with an impudent air.
1837. Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, 'Dead Drummer,' ii. 171. The pigeon-toed step and the rollicking motion, Bespoke them two genuine sons of the ocean.
Pigeon English (or Pidgin), subs.
phr. (colonial).—A jargon serving
as a means of inter-communication
between the Chinese and the
English-speaking races all over
the world: alike in Shanghai
and San Francisco. [A corruption
of 'business-English'—business—bidginess—bidgin—pidgin—pigeon.]
Pigeon-hole, subs. phr. (printers').—1.
An over-wide space between
printed words; a rat-hole (q.v.).
2. (Winchester College).—A small study.
3. (venery).—The female pudendum; the breadwinner (q.v.): see Monosyllable.
Pigeon-hole soldiers, subs. phr. (military).—Clerks and orderlies.
1871. Echo, 1 July, 'The Guards' Review.' Now and then I observed a little confusion, but this was caused by a number of pigeon-hole soldiers who scarcely ever do any duty in the ranks.
Pigeon-pair, subs. phr. (old).—Twins
of opposite sex. [Pigeons
lay two eggs which usually hatch
as a pair.]
Pigeon's-milk, subs. phr. (common).—An
imaginary product in
quest of which fools are sent: cf.
Strap-oil, Squad umbrella,
&c.—Grose (1785). Hence to
milk the pigeon = to attempt
impossibilities. [The idea is old:
cf. Aristophanes in Aves (line
1672).]
1883. Frere, Birds of Aristophanes, iii. p. 75. Here you shall domineer and rule the roast, With splendour and opulence and pigeon's milk.
Piggot, verb, (political: obsolete).—To
forge. [A reminiscence of
the Parnell Commission: the expression
was born in the House of
Commons, 28th Feb., 1889.] Cf.
Salisbury; Burke; Boycott;
Maffick, &c.
Piggy-wiggy (Pigwiggin or Piggy-whidden),
subs. phr. (familiar).—A
pet pig: hence, a comic
endearment (see Drayton, Nymphidia,
where it is used as the
name of a kind of Puck). [From
piggy = a diminutive + whiddy
= white.]
1678. Cotton, Scoffer Scofft [Works (1725), 197]. Vulc. What such a nazardly pigwiggen, A little Hang-strings in a Biggin?
Pig-poker, subs. (old).—A swine-*herd.
Pig-running, subs. phr. (old).—See
quot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Pig Running. A piece of game frequently practised at fairs, wakes, &c. A large pig, whose tail is cut short, and both soaped and greased, being turned out, is hunted by the young men and boys, and becomes the property of him who can catch and hold him by the tail, above the height of his head.
Pigs-and-whistles. To go to
pigs-and-whistles, verb phr.
(Scots).—To be ruined.
1801. The Har'st Rig, 48. The back-ga'en fell ahint, And couldna stand; So he to pigs-and-whistles went, and left the land.
