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 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.