PIE word
*bʰréh₂tēr
Borrowed from Angloromani pal (“brother, friend”), from Romani phral (“brother”), from Sanskrit भ्रातृ (bhrātṛ, “brother”). Doublet of bhai, brother, bru, frater, friar, and vai.
Meanings
(colloquial) A friend, buddy, mate, cobber; someone to hang around with.
Little Timmy's out playing with his pals.
"Mob job. The Mafia has a sample of the drug for the first time, thanks to me and my pal Ng. Until now, it always self-destructed before they could get to it. So I guess they're analyzing it or something. Trying to make an antidote, maybe." 1992, Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash, page 233:
(colloquial) An informal term of address, often used ironically in a hostile way.
Michael De Santa (Ned Luke): You forget a thousand things every day, pal. Make sure this is one of 'em. 2013, Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto V, scene: Threatening a security officer during a bank heist, level/area: Prologue:
Don't you threaten me, pal – I'll report you to the police.
PIE word
*bʰréh₂tēr
Borrowed from Angloromani pal (“brother, friend”), from Romani phral (“brother”), from Sanskrit भ्रातृ (bhrātṛ, “brother”). Doublet of bhai, brother, bru, frater, friar, and vai.
Meanings
Synonym of pal around.
As an adult, she moved to New York and palled with trip-hop artist Tricky, who signed her to his own label. 2012 November 26, Evan Schlansky, “Song Premiere: Ife Sanchez Mora, Hopeful Heart”, in American Songwriter:
Greco also palled with Stone’s friend “Manhattan Madam” Kristin Davis, who was convicted of prostitution-related activities and selling prescription drugs. 2022 March 4, Graham Rayman, “Roger Stone said he never saw NYPD cop bodyguard with a gun or shield — video shows otherwise”, in New York Daily News:
In the trial, they showed photographs and videos of Unsworth being congratulated by the UK prime minister, palling with Thai government officials, and smiling while Prince William pinned him with an MBE, an appointment to the Order of the British Empire. 2020 January 30, Ryan Mac, “How Tesla CEO Elon Musk Won His "Pedo Guy" Trial”, in BuzzFeed News:
There were pictures of Garcia flashing diamond mouth grills. Spewing out a Vesuvius-amount of smoke. Showing off a riot of body tattoos. Aiming guns. Palling with superstars like Lil Wayne and Chris Brown. […] 2017 August 21, Kyle Swenson, “The rise and fall of Miami’s ‘CEO of Purple Drank’”, in The Washington Post: