balderdash & piffle

Just received this from balderdash and piffle

Help them out if you can.

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Hello,

Just wanted to let you know that the BBC2 show Balderdash & Piffle has recently launched a second Wordhunt. Together with the OED, we’re appealing for the public’s help in rewriting the dictionary entries for words such as ‘loo’, ‘duh brain’, ‘identity theft’ and ‘hoodie’. We’re looking for written evidence of the history and origins of 40 such words – the full list, and more information, can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/balderdash

I’ve also attached a full press release about the project.

Comments

[Chris Waller]

My uncle Harry, late of Poplar, East London, used to use the expression, "Give it some Poll Thompson!", meaning, 'hit it (or him/her) hard with a blunt object'.

Do you know the origin of this expression, and who was Poll(y) Thompson?

Thanks.