PRUNELLA. Mr. Prunella; a parson: parson's gowns being frequently made of prunella. To PRY. To examine minutely into a matter or business. A prying fellow; a man of impertinent curiosity, apt to peep and inquire into other men's secrets. PUBLIC MAN. A bankrupt. PUBLIC LEDGER. A prostitute: because, like that paper, she is open to all parties. PUCKER. All in a pucker; in a dishabille. Also in a fright; as, she was in a terrible pucker. PUCKER WATER. Water impregnated with alum, or other astringents, used by old experienced traders to counterfeit virginity. PUDDINGS. The guts: I'll let out your puddings. PUDDING-HEADED FELLOW. A stupid fellow, one whose brains are all in confusion. PUDDING SLEEVES. A parson. PUDDING TIME. In good time, or at the beginning of a meal: pudding formerly making the first dish. To give the crows a pudding; to die. You must eat some cold pudding, to settle your love. PUFF, or PUFFER. One who bids at auctions, not with an intent to buy, but only to raise the price of the lot; for which purpose many are hired by the proprietor of the goods on sale. PUFF GUTS. A fat man. PUFFING. Bidding at an auction, as above; also praising any thing above its merits, from interested motives. The art of puffing is at present greatly practised, and essentially necessary in all trades, professions, and callings. To puff and blow; to be out of breath. PUG. A Dutch pug; a kind of lap-dog, formerly much in vogue; also a general name for a monkey. PUG CARPENTETER. An inferior carpenter, one employed only in small jobs. PUG DRINK. Watered cyder. PUGNOSED, or PUGIFIED. A person with a snub or turned up nose. PULLY HAWLY. To have a game at pully hawly; to romp with women. PULL. To be pulled; to be arrested by a police officer. To have a pull is to have an advantage; generally where a person has some superiority at a game of chance or skill. PUMP. A thin shoe. To pump; to endeavour to draw a secret from any one without his perceiving it. Your pump is good, but your sucker is dry; said by one to a person who is attempting to pump him. Pumping was also a punishment for bailiffs who attempted to act in privileged places, such as the Mint, Temple, &c. It is also a piece of discipline administered to a pickpocket caught in the fact, when there is no pond at hand. To pump ship; to make water, and sometimes to vomit. SEA PHRASE. PUMP WATER. He was christened in pump water; commonly said of a person that has a red face.