pony

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A small serving of an alcoholic beverage, especially beer.

   1879, “Some Queer Interviews: Interview with a Pony of Beer”, Puck, Vol. 5–6, p. 435.

2. 2
   noun

   Twenty-five pounds (money).

   “You said a pony,” interposed Clavering; “my dear fellow, you said a pony, and I’ll be eternally obliged to you; and I’ll not take it as a gift—only as a loan, and pay you back in six months. I take my oath, I will.” “Well—well—there’s the money, Sir Francis Clavering. […] Here’s five-and-twenty for you.

3. 3
   noun

   A translation used as a study aid; loosely, a crib, a cheat-sheet.

   She kept the dates written down in her Latin 'pony', so she didn't have to bother about who it was.

4. 4
   noun

   A ponytail hairstyle.

   His hair is a semilong dull red and pulled back in a sloppy pony at the base of his neck, and his face is riddled with small freckles and grease, but out here I can see personal hygiene isn't exactly at the top of the priority list.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Pony entered general English from Scots powny, which came from Old French poulenet, a diminutive of poulain, “foal.” These forms ultimately derive from Latin pullus, “young animal,” here applied specifically to a young horse.

1659 from Scots powny, apparently from Middle French poulenet (“little foal”), ultimately from Late Latin pullanus (“young of an animal”), from pullus (cognate to English foal). Sense “small serving of alcohol” from 19th century, both for small sizes generally and for a quarter pint specifically, from the small size.

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary