pick

pick
   1. to steal
   OED notes a use in 1300, which makes it one of the oldest euphemisms in the language, and in regular use since then:
    A charge of picking and unlawfully intermitting with his neighbour's goods. (Hector, 1876)
   To pick a pocket is explicit, and we are still plagued with pickpockets who steal articles from our clothing:
    I told him my intentions, but he was not satisfied, and said, 'Do you know, I should as soon have thought of picking a pocket, as doing so'. (J. Boswell, 1773 — Johnson had been vexed at his companion's riding ahead)
   The obsolete forms of pickle and the Scottish pike also meant to steal:
    Ye pykit your mother's pouch o' twalpennies. (W. Scott, 1818 — a twal-penny was a shilling)
   2. obsolete
   to give premature birth
   Of animals, from the dialect meaning, to throw:
    . . . produces a calf prematurely... in local phrase, 'picks her cau'f'. (Atkinson, 1891)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • Pick — steht für: Pick (Werkzeug), ein beim Lockpicking verwendetes Werkzeug Pick (Betriebssystem), ein Betriebssystem Pick (Wurstfabrik), gegründet 1869 von Márk Pick Pick (Logistik), eine logistische Tätigkeit bzw. Zähleinheit Pick Motor Company,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • pick-up — [ pikɶp ] n. m. inv. • 1928; mot angl. (1867), de to pick up « ramasser, recueillir » ♦ Anglic. 1 ♦ Techn. Dispositif servant à recueillir et transformer en courant variable des vibrations sonores enregistrées sur disques. ⇒ lecteur. Cour. Bras,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • pick — Ⅰ. pick [1] ► VERB 1) (often pick up) take hold of and move. 2) remove (a flower or fruit) from where it is growing. 3) choose from a number of alternatives. 4) remove unwanted matter from (one s nose or teeth) with a finger or a pointed… …   English terms dictionary

  • Pick — (p[i^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Picked} (p[i^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Picking}.] [OE. picken, pikken, to prick, peck; akin to Icel. pikka, Sw. picka, Dan. pikke, D. pikken, G. picken, F. piquer, W. pigo. Cf. {Peck}, v., {Pike}, {Pitch} to throw.] 1 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pick — pick1 [pik] vt. [ME pykken, var. of picchen, to PITCH2] Weaving to throw (a shuttle) n. 1. one passage or throw of the shuttle of a loom 2. one of the weft threads, or filling yarns pick2 [pik] n. [ …   English World dictionary

  • pick — [pɪk] verb pick up phrasal verb 1. [intransitive] if business or trade picks up, it improves 2. [transitive] pick something → up informal to buy something, especially for a low price: • Homes here can be picked up for as little as £30,000 …   Financial and business terms

  • pick up — {v.} 1. To take up; lift. * /During the morning Mrs. Carter picked up sticks in the yard./ 2. {informal} To pay for someone else. * /After lunch, in the restaurant, Uncle Bob picked up the check./ 3. To take on or away; receive; get. * /At the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • pick up — {v.} 1. To take up; lift. * /During the morning Mrs. Carter picked up sticks in the yard./ 2. {informal} To pay for someone else. * /After lunch, in the restaurant, Uncle Bob picked up the check./ 3. To take on or away; receive; get. * /At the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Pick — Pick, n. [F. pic a pickax, a pick. See {Pick}, and cf. {Pike}.] 1. A sharp pointed tool for picking; often used in composition; as, a toothpick; a picklock. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mining & Mech.) A heavy iron tool, curved and sometimes pointed at… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pick-up — auch: Pick|up 〈[ ʌ̣p] m. 6〉 1. Tonabnehmer 2. 〈Kfz〉 Personenkraftwagen, bei dem sich anstelle der Rücksitze eine offene Ladefläche befindet [<engl. pick up „aufnehmen“] * * * Pick up [pɪk |ap , engl.: pɪkʌp ], der; s, s [engl. pick up, zu: to… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • pick-up — ♦♦♦ pick ups also pickup 1) N COUNT A pick up or a pick up truck is a small truck with low sides that can be easily loaded and unloaded. 2) N SING: usu N in n A pick up in trade or in a country s economy is an improvement in it. ...a pick up in… …   English dictionary

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