subs. (common).—1. A pander; a cock-bawd: also PIMP-WHISKING (see quot. 1696). Hence as verb. = to procure.—B. E. (c. 1696); GROSE (1785).
1638. FORD, The Fancies Chaste and Noble, i. 2. ’Tis a gallant life to be an old lord’s PIMP-WHISKIN: but beware of the porter’s lodge, for carrying tales out of the school.
1681. DRYDEN, Absalom and Achitophel, i. 81.
| But, when to Sin our byast Nature leans, | |
| The careful Devil is still at hand with means; | |
| And providently PIMPS for ill desires. |
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. PIMP. Ibid. PIMP-WHISKING, a Top Trader that way; also a little mean-spirited narrow-soul’d Fellow.
d. 1742. N. BAILEY, trans. The Colloquies of Erasmus, ‘The Profane Feast.’ Go hang yourself, you PIMP.
1890. Century Dictionary, s.v. PIMP. This explanation [SKEAT’S] is, however, inadequate; the word is apparently of low slang origin, without any recorded basis.
2. (old).—See quots.
1724–7. DEFOE, A Tour Thro’ the Whole Island of Great Britain, i. 138. Here they make those faggots … used in taverns in London to light their fagots, and are called … by the woodmen PIMPS.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. PIMP … also a small faggot used about London for making fires, named from introducing the fire to the coals.
3. (university).—To act meanly; to curry favour. Whence PIMPING [adj.) = small, feeble; perhaps well-meaning, but in every way inconsiderable.
1749. SMOLLETT, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 32. They only care for PIMPING sycophants.
d. 1832. CRABBE [quoted in Century]. He had no paltry arts, no PIMPING ways.
1870. JUDD, Margaret, i. iv. ‘Was I so little?’ asked Margaret. ‘Yes, and PIMPIN’ enough.’
