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Pelf

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Filthy pelf. Money. The word was anciently used for refuse or rubbish. “Who steals my purse steals trash.” Filthy means ungodly; the Scripture expression is “unrighteous mammon.” It is certainly not connected with pilfer, as it is usually given; but it may possibly be with the Anglo-Saxon pila, a pile or heap.

⁂ The old French word pelfre means spoil.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Peerage of the Apostles
Peers of the Realm
Peg or Peggy
Peg too Low (A)
Pegasos (Greek; Pegasus, Latin)
Pegg (Katharine)
Pegging Away (Keep)
Peine Forte et Dure
Pelagianism
Pelagius
Pelf
Pelias
Pelican
Pelides
Pelion
Pell-mell
Pellean Conqueror
Pelleas (Sir)
Pells
Pelops
Pelorus