• PRINCE ALBERTS
n. L19 Aust. sl. – dress trousers
• PRINCE ALFREDS
n. L19 Aust. sl. – dress trousers
• PRINCESS OF THE PAVEMENT
n. a prostitute …20C Aust. sl.
• PRINCIPAL VERB
n. the chief or most important thing …1616 obs.
• PRINCOCK
n. a pert, forward, saucy boy or youth; a conceited young fellow; a coxcomb …1540 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• PRINK
vb. to dress in a finical manner …Bk1905 Amer. dial.
► PRINKLE n. a tingling sensation; a prickle → 1923 Sc.
vb. 1. to have a prickling sensation, such as the feeling of ‘pins and needles’; to tingle, to prickle → 1721 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to twinkle, to scintillate, to sparkle → 1724 Sc.
vb. 3. of a boiling pot: to send up small bubbles → 1854 Sc.
► PRIORS n. prior convictions; a criminal record → 1978 US sl.
► PRITTLE-PRATTLE adj. chattering, talkative; gossipy → 1556 obs.
n. 1. gossip, chatter; trivial or idle talk; the innocent chattering of children → 1556
n. 2. a person who talks excessively or to little purpose; a silly chatterer, a gossip → 1725 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
vb. to chatter, to gossip, to talk idly → 1555
• PRIVATE BUSINESS
n. extra tuition …1900 Eton College usage
• PRIVATEER
n. an independent prostitute …19C euphemism
• PRIVATE HARDWARE
n. the penis …Urquhart usage
• PRIVATE PARTS
n. the genitals …16C euphemism
• PRIVATE PROPERTY
. the genitals …19C colloq.
• PRIVATES
n. the genitals …1602 sl.
• PRIVITIES
n. the genitals …16C euphemism
• PRIVY-HOLE
n. the vagina …19C Brit. euphemism
• PRIVY MEMBER
n. the penis …17C Brit. euphemism
• PRIZE
n. 1. sexual intercourse …16C literary
n. 2. something excellent …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PRIZE BULL
n. nonsense …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PRIZE EXHIBIT
n. 1. something beautiful or attractive …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 2. something excellent …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PRIZE PACKAGE
n. 1. a fool …1920s US sl.
n. 2. a kidnap victim …1920s US criminals’ sl.
n. 3. something beautiful or attractive …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 4. something excellent …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PRIZE SAPPY
adj. foolish; silly; witless …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PRIZE WINNER
n. something excellent …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PRO
n. 1. an actor …Bk1891 theatrical sl.
n. 2. a prostitute …1937 euphemism
• PROBABILITIES
n. the weather bureau or its staff …L19 US sl.
• PROBANT
adj. proving, demonstrating, convincing …1908 rare
• PROCACIOUS
adj. forward, insolent, impudent, saucy, pert, petulant …1660 rare
• PROCACITY
n. forwardness, petulance, sauciness, pertness, impudence …1621 rare
• PROCEED TO PUCKER
vb. to make ready to do or act …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• PROCELLOUS
adj. stormy, tempestuous …1650 obs.
• PROCEROUS
adj. tall, lofty, high; long …1599 obs.
• PROCLIVITOUS
adj. 1859 obs. rare – steep
• PROCURER
n. a pimp …16C
• PROD
n. a Protestant …1942 Anglo-Irish sl., derogatory
vb. of men: to copulate …19C sl.
• PRODDY
n. a Protestant …1954 Anglo-Irish sl., derogatory
• PRODDY-DOG
n. a Protestant …1954 Anglo-Irish sl., derogatory
• PRODDY-HOPPER
n. a Protestant …1954 Anglo-Irish sl., derogatory
• PRODDY-WODDY
n. a Protestant …1954 Anglo-Irish sl., derogatory
• PRODITORIOUS
adj. 1. a1475 – treacherous, traitorous, perfidious → obs.
adj. 2. a1639 – apt to betray or reveal something hidden or secret, esp. a person’s innermost thoughts; apt to disclose or make known → obs.
• PROF
n. 1838 – a professor → sl., orig. US
• PROFANATIC
adj. 1689 – infatuated with profanity → obs.
• PROFESH
n. 1901 – a community of professional tramps → sl.
• PROFICUOUS
adj. 1622 – profitable, advantageous, beneficial, useful → obs.
• PROG
n. 1958 – someone who is progressive in their political or social views → sl.
• PROGGLES
n. 19C – the spines of a hedgehog → Sc.
• PROGRAM
n. 1960 – a promoting something for one’s personal benefit → Amer. sl.
• PROGRAMME
vb. 1981 – in prison: to follow the rules and avoid trouble in hope of an early release → US sl.
• PROHI
n. 1974 – a federal law enforcement official; used by those in the illegal production of alcohol → US sl.
• THE PROHIBITION ERROR
n. 1942 – Prohibition era → Amer. sl. (Bk.
• PROLE
adj. 1965 – of the working-class → US sl.
n. 1887 – a member of the proletariat (working class); a lower-class person → US sl.
• PROM
n. 1894 – a dance at a school or college → US sl.
► PROME n. a neighbour → 1425 obs.
• PROMISE BELLTINKER
vb. 1859 – of persons: to give a good thrashing, or a scolding; of things: to do anything thoroughly or in good style → Eng. dial.
• PROMISED LAND
n. 19C – the female genitals → euphemism
• THE PROMISE OF ODIN
n. 1905 – a promise of marriage supposed to be particularly binding → Sc. (Bk.)
• PROMISING POLITICAN
n. 1942 – one who makes many promises → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• PROMISSIVE
adj. 1635 – making or implying a promise; promissory
• PROMMER
n. 1982 – a member of the audience, esp. a promenader, at a Henry Wood Promenade Concert → UK sl.
• PROMO
adj. 1963 – promotional → US sl.
n. 1966 – public relations; promotional item(s); in the music business: an advance copy of an unreleased tune sent to an influential DJ → US sl.
• PROMOSSING
adj. 1892 – talking rubbish, playing the fool, mooning about → Aust. sl. (Bk.)
• PROMOTE
vb. 1. 1930 – to obtain exploitatively → sl., orig. US
vb. 2. 1980 – in the circus or carnival: to obtain illegally something that is badly needed → US sl.
► PRONEPHEW n. a great-grandson → 1425 Sc. obs.
• PRONG
n. 1. 1913 – a branch of either a tree or a river → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
n. 2. 1969 – the penis → sl.
• PRONG AT
vb. 1913 – to urge, to annoy, to importune → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
• PRONK
n. a foolish person …1959 sl.
• PRONTO
adv. immediately; shortly …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PROP
n. a diamond or valuable piece of jewellery …1914 criminals’ sl.
• PRO-PACK
n. a small kit or envelope containing a sheath, strong soap, and an astringent, for use as a protection against venereal disease …Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PROPER
adj. 1. good-looking or handsome …c1390
adj. 2. complete or thorough …c1430 colloq, chiefly Brit.
adj. 3. excellent; capital; fine …20C colloq.
adv. thoroughly or completely …1508 colloq.
• PROPERATE
vb. 1. to hasten or press forward; to go quickly …1623 obs.
vb. 2. to quicken the growth of …1675 obs.
• A PROPER CHARLEY
n. a complete fool …c1960 sl.
• A PROPER CHARLIE
n. a foolish person …1946 sl., chiefly Brit.
• PROP GAME
. a fraud racket by which householders are coaxed into paying heavily for unnecessary repairs …1966 Brit. sl.
• PROP-GETTER
n. a pickpocket …1901 sl.
• PROPHYLACTIC
n. a thin rubber sheath worn over the penis during sexual intercourse, usually as a contraceptive device, but legally available only for ‘prevention of (venereal) disease’ …Bk1974 sl.
• PROPINQUANT
adj. near, neighbouring, adjacent …1633 rare
• PROPINQUATE
adj. immediate, proximate …1665 obs. rare
vb. to approach, to draw near to …1623 obs. rare
• PROP-MAN
n. 1. a pickpocket …1901 sl.
n. 2. a fraudster operating the prop game …1966 Brit. sl.
• PROPOSITION
vb. to approach a person with an offer of employment or suggest a mutually profitable plan of action, esp. an illegal or unethical job, plan, or action; to ask for sexual favours from a girl or woman, usually in return for money or other favours to be given her …Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PROPS
n. 1. the legs …1828 sl.
n. 2. crutches …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
► PROPUDIOUS adj. shameful, infamous, disgraceful → 1629 obs.
• PROPUGN
vb. to contend or fight for; to defend, vindicate (an opinion, doctrine or the like) …c1555 obs.
• PRORITATE
vb. to stir up, to provoke, to irritate, to incite …1620 obs.
• PROROGATION OF WAR
n. suspension of hostilities …1517 obs.
• PROROGUE
vb. 1. to prolong, to lengthen, to extend in time or duration; to cause to last longer; to continue, to protract …1425 obs.
vb. 2. to put off for a time; to defer, to postpone …1453 obs.
vb. 3. to delay; to procrastinate …1593 obs. obs.
vb. 4. to discontinue the meetings of a legislative or other assembly for a time …1455
• PROS
n. a prostitute …1937 sl.
• PROSPECT
n. a loved one; a sweetheart …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
vb. to make preliminary examinations or investigations …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PROSPICIENT
adj. 1654 rare – having foresight, provident
• PROSS
n. 1937 sl. – a prostitute
• PROSSIE • PROSSY
n. 1941 Amer. sl. – a prostitute
• PROSTIBULE
n. 1. 1623 obs. rare – a harlot, a prostitute
n. 2. 1623 obs. rare – a house of prostitution, a brothel
• PROSTIBULOUS
adj. 1550 obs. rare – pertaining to a prostitute or prostitution; addicted to the company of prostitutes
• PROSTIE; PROSTY
n. a prostitute …1930 US sl.
• PROT
n. a Protestant …1725 derogatory
• PROTECTION
n. bribe money paid to the police, an individual policeman, or politicians, for allowing illegal activities to continue without interference, any money paid to protect the payer without arrest …Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PROTECTION MONEY
n. ‘Protection’ …Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PROTERVE
adj. forward, wayward, stubborn; peevish, petulant; proud, arrogant, impudent …1382 obs. rare
• PROTERVOUS
adj. forward, wayward, untoward, stubborn, impudent, peevish, petulant …1547 obs.
• PROTESTANT HERRING
n. orig. applied to a bad or stale herring; anything of an inferior quality …20C Irish sl.
• PROTHODAW
n. a prime simpleton; a noodle of the first rank …a1548 humorous nonce word obs.
• PROTONYM
n. the first person or thing of the name; that from which another is named …1880 rare
► PROTREPTICAL adj. adapted to persuade; hortatory, persuasive → 1662 obs.
• PROUD AS A DOG WITH TWO TAILS
adj. very proud indeed …1840 Eng. dial.
• PROUD AS A JAY-BIRD
adj. very proud …1897 Amer. dial.
• PROUD AS LUCIFER
adj. extremely proud or satisfied with oneself; very haughty and overbearing …1567
• PROUD AS OLD NICK
adj. 1856 – very proud → Amer. dial.
• PROUD BELOW THE NAVEL
adj. 1629 – amorous, or wanton → colloq.
• PROUDER THAN LUCIFER
adj. 1905 – very proud → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
• PROUD-FLESH’D
adj. 1870 – haughty, stuck-up → Eng. dial.
• PROUGHAL • PROUGHLE
n. 1983 – a person who has failed to do something he or she has boasted to do → Irish sl.
vb. ..20C – to move about awkwardly → Irish sl.
• PROUGHS
n. 20C – material possessions, esp. illegally come by; free gifts → Irish sl.
• PROVEXITY
n. 1674 – an advanced condition or state; greatness of age, the being well grown in years, or well studied in any art → obs.
• PROVIDE ONE’S CHUMP
vb. M19 – to earn one’s living → UK criminals’ sl.
• PROVO
n. 1943 – a military policeman → Aust. sl.
• PROVOCANT
n. 1894 – one who provokes, incites, or stimulates a person, reaction, etc.
• PROVOCATE
adj. 1432 – provoked, stimulated, incited → obs.
vb. 1432 – to provoke, call forth, incite → obs.
• PROWL
vb. 1. 1914 – to reconnoitre with a view to committing a robbery or other crime → US sl.
vb. 2. 1974 – to frisk a person; to run one’s hands over another’s clothing, usually in search of a gun → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• PROXIMIORITY
n. 1720 – the fact of being nearer; greater proximity → obs.
• PROZZY
n. 1941 – a prostitute → sl., orig. Aust.
• PRUCKS
n. 20C – material possessions, esp. illegally come by; free gifts → Irish sl.
• PRUDE
n. 1913 – an over-particular girl → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
• PRUGHS
n. 20C – material possessions, esp. illegally come by; free gifts → Irish sl.
• PRUG PRUG!
int. 20C – a call to cows to come in for milking → Irish sl.
• PRUINOUS
adj. 1588 – relating to frost; frosty → obs.
• PRUNE
adj. 1974 – drunk → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
n. 1. 1895 – an ineffectual or incompetent person → Amer. sl.
n. 2. 1900 – a man; a guy → Amer. sl.
n. 3. 1900 – a prudish, scholarly person → Amer. sl.
n. 4. 1900 – a slow-witted person; a simpleton; one easily duped → Amer. sl.
n. 5. 1900 – an eccentric; a dreamer → Amer. sl.
n. 6. 1913 – a term of disparagement → Amer. dial. (Bk.)
• PRUNEFACE
n. 1974 – a homely or sad-looking person → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• PRUNE PICKER
n. 1918 – a Californian → sl.
• PRUNK
adj. 1. ..19C – proud, vain, saucy → Sc.
adj. 2. 1892 – neat, smart, pretty → Sc.
vb. ..19C – to make oneself smart and neat; to dress neatly; generally used with ‘up’ → Sc.
• PRUNO
n. 1974 – fermented prune juice; any fermented fruit juice → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• PRUNY
adj. 1942 – foolish; silly; witless → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• PRUSHON • PRUSHUN
n. 1. 1893 – a boy tramp who begs for a mature tramp → Amer. sl.
n. 2. 1974 – a young homosexual who lives with tramps → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• PRUT
int. 1. 1300 – an exclamation of contempt, disbelief, etc. → obs.
int. 2. 1899 – representing the sound of a rifle shot
n. 1. 1898 – the sound of a rifle shot
n. 2. 1974 – dirt, as the sweepings from a floor, deck, or the like → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
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Lexicophilia 