subs. (old).—1. A bailiff: spec. an officer accompanying a debtor on a day’s liberty.
2. (common).—Money. Hence, as verb. (TO POST THE PONY or TO PONY UP) = to pay; to settle. See POST, verb.—GROSE (1785); VAUX (1819); BEE (1823).
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry [DICK], 6. It’s every thing now o’days—to be able to flash the screens—sport the rhino—show the needful—POST THE PONY—nap the rent—stump the pew.
1824. Atlantic Magazine, I. 343, ‘Paunch Hogabout.’ Every man … vociferously swore that he had PONIED UP his ‘quarter.’
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood (1864), 240. I shan’t let you off so easily this time, depend upon it. Come, POST THE PONY, or take your measure on that sod.
1838. J. C. NEAL, Charcoal Sketches [BARTLETT]. It was my job to pay all the bills. “Salix, PONY UP at the bar, and lend us a levy.”
c. 1861–5. Song, ‘A Portland Conscript’ [B].
| We hadn’t no rich parents to PONY UP the tin, | |
| So we went unto the Provost, and there were mustered in. |
1876. New York Herald, 16 March. General Rice is a bachelor of expensive habits … you must PONY UP and keep him going, for he can’t live on less than 10,000 dollars a year.
3. (common).—Twenty-five pounds sterling: see RHINO.
1818. GREVILLE, Memoirs, 15 Aug. He is equally well amused whether the play is high or low, but the stake he prefers is fives and PONIES.
1837. C. DANCE, The Country Squire, i. 3. Geo. Look here, old man! (Holding up note.) Hor. Well—to be sure—a fifty is two ponies; and the hair will grow again!
1842. The Comic Almanack, 327, ‘Rent Day—Landlord’s levée.’
| A Mayor who, though he makes of Fifties—cronies, | |
| Yet has a most maternal love for PONIES. |
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, lxi. The five-and-twenty pounds, or PONY, which the exemplary Baronet had received.
1857. C. KINGSLEY, Two Years Ago, xviii. The bet of a PONY which he offers five minutes afterwards.
1870. Figaro, 1 June. I have pulled off a couple of PONIES on the event.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Three Brass Balls, Pledge xv. “Here’s a PONY for the young ’un, and directly I get a bit straight I’ll send you some more.”
1883. M. E. BRADDON, Phantom Fortune, xli. Sheafs of bank notes were being exchanged for counters which represented divers values, from the respectable PONY to the modest chip.
1892. Pall Mall Gazette, 23 March, 6, 3. Mr. Kisch said the bets were two PONIES The Master of the Rolls: What? Two what? Mr. Kisch said a PONY was £25.
1898. BINSTEAD, A Pink ’Un and a Pelican, 155. He would indite a long letter … and reproach him for not sending the ‘PONY’ he had been three times asked for.
1832. A Tour through College, 30. Their lexicons, PONIES, and text-books were strewed round their lamps on the table.
1852. Yale Tomahawk, May. We learn that they do not PONY their lessons.
1854. New England Magazine, 208. In the way of PONY or translation to the Greek of Father Griesbach, the New Testament was wonderfully convenient.
1856. B. H. HALL, A Collection of College Words and Customs, s.v., 357. PONY.… So-called, it may be, from the fleetness and ease with which a skilful rider is enabled to pass over places which to a common plodder present many obstacles.
5. (common).—A generic diminutive, prob. of turf origin: as PONY = a very small horse, and PONY-STAKES = an insignificant event. Whence (generally), in comparison, anything of small size, stature, or value. Hence, PONY = (1) a small glass (‘a PONY of ale, or stout’), containing a gill, or (of wines and spirits) a mouthful; (2) a woman of very small stature. Also PONY-BRANDY = the best brandy: as served in a PONY-GLASS; PONY-PURSE = an impromptu collection: of small contributions. The word is becoming recognised: as in PONY-SAW, PONY-ENGINE, and PONY-TRUCK.
1885. New York Journal, Aug. ‘I’m on the inside track,’ said a PONY of beer as it went galloping down a man’s throat.
1896. CRANE, Maggie, a Girl of the Streets, vii. Bring d’lady a big glass! What use is dat PONY?
6. (venery).—The penis: see PRICK.
d. 1796. BURNS, The Merry Muses, ‘Ye hae lien wrang, Lassie.’
| Ye’ve loot THE POUNIE o’er the dyke, | |
| And he’s been in the corn, lassie. |
7. (common).—A GAFFING-coin (q.v.); a piece showing either two heads or two tails. Whence, TO SELL THE PONY (or LADY) = to toss for drinks: certain coins, say twelve, are placed one on top of another, all, save one, being turned the same way; the coins are cut, as at cards, and he who cuts the single piece has to pay, having BOUGHT THE PONY.
See JERUSALEM.
