on the pad

English

Etymology 1

As a reference to padding one's income.

Phrase

on the pad

1. (police slang) Taking regular bribes.
   • 1978, Burgess Laughlin, Job Opportunities in the Black Market, page 5:

     The badge showed that he was on the inspector's pad and the telephone numbers suggested that he had connections.

   • 2002, Samuel Walker, Charles M. Katz, The Police in America: An Introduction, page 325:

     New York City police officers "on the pad" were found to receive up to $850 a month to protect a single dealer.

   • 2011, James Lee Burke, A Dave Robicheaux Ebook Boxed Set:

     But I swear to you, Dave, I never got any free action because of my badge, and I never went on the pad.

Etymology 2

From the sense of "to pad" meaning to practice highway robbery.

Alternative forms

• upon the pad

Phrase

on the pad

1. (archaic, slang) Practicing highway robbery; robbing travelers on the public roads.
   • 1622, John Fletcher, Beggar's Bush:

     . I crown thy nab with a gage of bene-bowse, And stall thee by the salmon into the clowes; To maund on the pad, and strike all the cheats,

   • 1788, John O'Keeffe, The Prisoner at Large:

     I go on the pad.

   • 1986, Maggie Mackeever, Lady Sherry and the Highwayman, page 218:

     As for why I went on the pad, 'tis simple: I was poor as a church mouse.

Anagrams

• phonated