  A, subs. (Felsted).—See D, infra. Abbey, The (Durham).—The Cathedral. The boys of Durham School (and they alone) speak, and always have spoken, of the Cathedral as “the Abbey.” This is supposed to show that the school dates from pre-Reformation days, though its foundation is put down to the time of Henry VIII. The Charity Commissioners admit the claim, and pay to the Head-master a pension founded by Cardinal Langley in 1415 for the master of his school in Durham. Academia, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A select literary club: in vogue where the Jesuit Ratio Studiorum flourishes. Not now existent at Stonyhurst, but it is in great vigour in America and on the Continent. Ambulacrum, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The covered playground used in wet weather. Arcady, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An arched portion of the new front. Atramentarius, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The ink-pot boy: an office once in vogue, the holder of it being responsible for the cleanliness, &c., of the ink-pots in the class-rooms. For this he was given a Good-day (q.v.) at the end of the year. B, subs. (Felsted).—See D, infra. Back-stop, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The wicket-keeper in ordinary cricket. Bag, verb (Stonyhurst).—To Cob (q.v.). Ball of Honour, subs. (Stonyhurst).—See Beggar’s-ace. Bannet (and Bannet-fire), subs. (Royal High School, Edin.).—See Bonnet and Bonnet-fire, ante: in each case an error has crept in; the correct spelling is, of course, bannet. Bate, adj. (Harrow).—Angry. Beast, subs. (Cambridge).—See Brute. Beggar’s-ace (and Ball of Honour), subs. (Stonyhurst).—Two extra balls given by the winning side in a game to enable their opponents to catch up if possible. Bill, subs. (Eton).—An old Etonian states that “in the Bill” used to mean only that a boy was “complained of” to the Head-master. See ante. Black Monday (Stonyhurst).—The day of re-opening of schools. Blandyke (Stonyhurst).—See ante. It may be interesting to call attention to the connection between Stonyhurst and St. Omers and many of the words and phrases occurring in this vocabulary. They not only date from the Continental period, but find their explanation in it alone. The College was founded in 1592 at St. Omers, and continued without a break (at Bruges and LiÈge) previous to the settlement in England in 1794. Bloody Wars, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A common name for any stiffness: such as that usually experienced at the beginning of the football or cricket season: e.g. “I’ve got the BLOODY WARS.” Blue, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante; concerning the dress, I learn that the cap was given up many years ago. There used to be a yellow petticoat under the blue skirt. The boys also wear white “bands.” Bluebottle, subs. (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—A BLUE (q.v.): used by girls at Hertford. See Grasshopper (Appendix) and Hedgehog (ante). Bottle, verb (Durham).—See ante. Also TO BE BOTTLED = to be in a fix. Bouncer, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A ball kicked from the hand before it reaches the ground: Stonyhurst-football (q.v.). Boy, subs. (Harrow).—Specifically, a fag a grade above the lowest form. See ante. As a verb, TO BOY = to call for a fag: all fags are summoned by a long drawn-out shout. Brick (and Clat), subs. (Stonyhurst).—The names given to the two rival camps in a certain notorious quasi-insurrection in the College some fifty years ago. A full account appears in Fitzgerald’s Stonyhurst Memories. Bug and Snail, subs. phr. (Winchester).—The Natural History Society. Bug-shooter, subs. (Harrow).—A member of the School Corps. Bumf. To buy a bumf, verb. phr. (general).—To purchase a newspaper. Math-bumf = mathematical paper. See ante. Bunker, subs. (Stonyhurst).—(1) A native; (2) a low fellow. Bus, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An extra nondescript class formed chiefly of boys not born to study. Butt, subs. (Dulwich).—The school tuck-shop. See Buttery. Butter, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A boy known often to miss a catch. Hence, as verb = to miss a catch. Buzz, verb (Christ’s Hospital).—To cry; to weep. C, subs. (Felsted).—See D, infra. CÆsar’s-bridge (Stonyhurst).—An old bridge over the Hodder. Also Cromwell’s-bridge, though it is probable that Cromwell crossed the Hodder higher up. See Higger Brig. Cage, The (Royal High School, Edin.).—A covered area, between two gates, in which prisoners at games are confined. Also, as verb = to put in this enclosure. Candle-keepers, subs. (Winchester).—Mansfield in his School-Life at Winchester College, p. 30 (see quot. 1840, ante), says, “Why so called I have no idea,” but see Adam’s Wykehamica (1878), 418. Cards. On cards, phr. (Harrow).—A report on conduct taken to the Head-master. Carthaginians (Stonyhurst).—See Victory-walk. Champion, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A boy in a Lower Line (q.v.) class who, on account of age or size, joins in the games of the Higher Line (q.v.). Cf. Charity-tails. Chisel, verb (Winchester).—To cheat. Clap, verb (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—To push in front of. Whence Clapper = one who so pushes. Clat (Stonyhurst).—See Brick. Clogs, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The boots made by the College shoemaker. Common-key, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A key by which most of the doors on the boys’ side of the house are opened. Concertatio, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An exhibition of class-work given from time to time in the Community refectory by the Lower Line (q.v.) classes. Copy, subs. (Harrow).—Formerly Copy = a prize-book, chosen by the recipient. See ante. Cork, verb (Eton).—To throw. [An Old Etonian informs me that “Cork” and not Calk (q.v.) is the correct orthography.] Cowshed, The (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante. It should be stated that The Cowshed is a sort of pent-house near the Warden’s residence which workmen use for divers purposes. Cricket-machine, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A boy who studies cricket scores with excessive care. Crock, subs. (general).—An indifferent performer at a game. Crocked. To be crocked, verb. phr. (general).—To be injured at a game. Crow’s-wing (and -refectory), subs. (Stonyhurst).—The part of the house in which the masters live and fare. See Crow. Cut. To cut in, verb. phr. (Harrow).—If a boy misses his place in the line at Bill (q.v.), and tries to run in irregularly, he is said TO CUT IN. D, subs. (Felsted).—A division of “punishment bounds.” Nominally the bounds were:—A = practically no bounds; B = the ordinary bounds, the roads about a mile from the school; C = punishment bounds, confinement to the cricket-fields and playground; and D = confinement to the old school-house playground, one of the commonest forms of punishment till 1876, when the present school-house was opened. C and D were also known respectively as Mongrel and Quod. Dame, subs. (Eton and Harrow).—Originally many ladies kept boarding-houses: hence the word. See ante. Damnation-hill (Harrow).—See Damnation-corner and Howson and Warner, Harrow School (1898), 80. Degerd, adj. (Harrow).—Degraded. [Pronounced Daygerd.] Dicks’ (Stonyhurst).—The chief tuck-shop at the present time. Ditch, The (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante. The ditch is one of the three playgrounds, or rather open spaces, within the walls of Christ’s Hospital: it takes its name from the old City ditch which ran beneath it. The two others are the “Hall Play,” and the “Garden.” Double-remove. To get a DOUBLE-REMOVE, verb. phr. (Harrow).—To skip a form. Dox, subs. (Tonbridge).—The head-master. [An abbreviation of “doctor.”] Dub. To dub in, verb. phr. (Christ’s Hospital).—To subscribe. Duke’s-room (Stonyhurst).—The Philosophers’ (q.v.) drawing-room. Early bed, subs. (Stonyhurst).—In winter time the smaller boys go to bed an hour before the rest. Elder boys may avail themselves of this if sick: e.g. “There is no EARLY BED to-night.” Extraordinary, subs. (Stonyhurst).—Classes in which extra classics are read in the lower forms. Fag-poker, intj. (Harrow: obsolete).—A cry to a fag to fetch a stake for the fire. 1827. Collins, The Public Schools [Harrow], p. 318. Poker and tongs were unknown luxuries in the “play-room” at Butler’s; and the junior fag, at the call of “FAG poker,” had to rush out in the cold to pull a hedge-stake of substantial dimensions from the fence or faggot-stack. Feeder-cric (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante. This game got its name from the “feeder,” i.e. the thrower of the ball, and the humble imitation that it was of cricket. The bat was a stick like a “glorified” ruler, but cut away at one end to resemble in some sort a cricket-bat. It was played against a buttress, on which was marked a circle in chalk, which served as a wicket. The ball was soft, with a hole in it; as in rounders the batsman might insist on certain conditions as to the method of “feeding,” and might refuse to recognise a “feed” unreasonable in height. First-praise, subs. (Stonyhurst).—See Report. First-touch. To be first-touch, verb. phr. (Stonyhurst).—To be first in reaching the scene of a game, a place in which was secured by touching some object, as a handball, a wicket, &c. Flab, subs. 1. (Christ’s Hospital).—Butter. 2. (Stonyhurst).—A boy who does not play in any of the regular (cricket) matches. For such a practice net is provided, known as the FLAB’S-NET. Fob, verb (Christ’s Hospital).—To put on carelessly: as bands or buttons, without trouble, to look right for a minute or so. Forcing, subs. (Stonyhurst).—Dribbling. See Stonyhurst-football. Form-beak, subs. (Harrow).—A form-master. See Beak. Form-game, subs. (Harrow: obsolete).—At football, the games arranged in grades of ability, and not by Houses. They were named on the same principle as the school is arranged—Sixth Form game, Fifth Form game, and so on. Forty, subs. (Felsted).—A division of the school for football or cricket. Each FORTY has its own ground. Fotch, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A blow on the face. Also as verb = to strike. Fox, verb (Stonyhurst).—To pretend to be ill. Frart, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A potato. Fug, subs. (Harrow).—See ante. The name is now given to a diminutive Association ball: formerly one of hair and chamois-leather. Fungi, subs. (Christ’s Hospital)—India-rubber. Gomer, subs. (Winchester).—See ante, sense 2. I am informed that there is yet another usage. Gomers = a suit of clothes in which to go home. [Because College men wear gowns.] Goose-match, subs. (Harrow).—See ante, and quot. 1898. S. W. Gore, Harrow School, 225. Harrow is, I believe, one of the few schools where cricket is played in the Michaelmas term, when the traditional “GOOSE” MATCH is played. This was started on the 22nd of September 1849 by Mr. C. O. Eaton. Grammar-match, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A football match in which the members of the highest class of the Lower Line (q.v.)—Grammar (q.v.)—play the lower classes combined. Grasshopper, subs. (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—A BLUE-girl: used by boys at Hertford. See Bluebottle (Appendix) and Hedgehog (ante). Great Figures (Stonyhurst).—See Figures, ante. Grecian, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—Add following to 1871 quot.:— Then on leaving the school for college they obtain a gift of £60 for clothing and outfit, and an allowance of £70 a year while at college. Nor do they seem to owe any further allegiance in after life to Christ’s Hospital. For instance, many lads are educated specially for the navy, and are distinguished from the others by wearing a metal badge on the shoulder, but on leaving Christ’s they do not necessarily enter maritime life. Head. Head of the Line, subs. phr. (Stonyhurst).—The Captain of the School. Hedgehog (Christ’s Hospital).—See Bluebottle and Grasshopper (Appendix). Hell, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A well-known hazard on the golf links: another is called Purgatory. Henner, subs. (Royal High School, Edin.).—A challenge to do something difficult, which the challenger must first do himself: e.g. “Here’s a HENNER for you!” [Probably from Old Scots hain.] Higger Brig, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A bridge over the Hodder. It was by the old bridge at this point that Cromwell crossed on his way to Stonyhurst Hall, though some say it was at CÆsar’s Bridge (q.v.). [Derived from an attempt to pronounce “Higher Bridge” in the local fashion.] Hopgarth, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A part of the Gardens. House-beak, subs. (Harrow).—A master. See Beak and Form-beak. Immunity-card, subs. (Stonyhurst).—See Tolly-ticket. In. All in, phr. (Stonyhurst).—A direction given (1) at end of recreation; and (2) to stay indoors at recreation time when wet. Ink-pot Boy (Stonyhurst).—See Atramentarius. Jicker, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—(1) The juice of a High (q.v.). [It is suggested that this is a “portmanteau word”—from juice and liquor.] Also (2) = blacking. Jickery, adj. (Christ’s Hospital).—Big: e.g. “You’re in for a JICKERY row.” [Query = overflowing, like the JICKER (juice) of a “high” (fruit tart).] Jiffs, The (Christ’s Hospital).—The Jiffs are about the oldest part of the Hospital building. The name is given to cloisters lying on the left hand as one enters from Christ Church passage. They are at a lower level, and are reached by four steps. It was the only part not burned in the Great Fire. The rooms above were destroyed. [Suggested derivations are:—(1) from “Grey Friars” = G.F.’s; and (2) from a beadle, Geoffrey—Geoff’s—Jiffs.] Joseph, subs. (Harrow: obsolete).—Generic for boy: e.g. BEETLE-JOSEPH = an entomological collector; MUSIC-JOSEPH = a boy who studied music, and so forth. Keen, adj. (Christ’s Hospital).—Good: e.g. “jolly KEEN” = very good. Kenna’s-day (Stonyhurst).—See Day, ante. King, subs. (Royal High School, Edin.).—A game peculiar to the school. The players range themselves on one side of the playground, one going into the centre and calling “King!” The centre player endeavours to catch some one, who then joins him, and this goes on till all are caught. A rush is then made for the side, the last to reach it taking the centre place in a new game. It forms an excellent training for football and a source of revenue to tailors. Lady Gallery (Stonyhurst).—A gallery in which is a statue of the Blessed Virgin. Lamm. To lamm in, verb. phr. (Stonyhurst).—See Peg in. Last-quarter, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An interval at the end of long recreations for toilet purposes, &c., before studies or other duties: e.g. “Is there LAST-QUARTER after this recreation?” Leeming’s Knot (Stonyhurst).—A ditch or hole in a neighbouring wood. [From some local farmer who is said to have jumped into it.] Little Man, subs. (Eton).—See ante: this term, I am informed, is only applied to one particular man in a certain shop. Lo (Felsted).—See Fain lo. Long Litany Lane (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A lane near the College. Long Sleep, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A longer time than usual in bed: e.g. “There will be LONG SLEEP to-morrow,” “May I have LONG SLEEP?” Long-soft, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A long, low bounce: Stonyhurst-football (q.v.). Lord’s. To be in Lord’s, verb. phr. (Winchester).—To be a member of the first Eleven at cricket, dating from the old Public School matches at Lord’s between Winchester, Harrow, and Eton. Whence Lord’s-Ex = the Exeat for the Eton and Harrow match. Lounge, subs. (Eton).—Both present and past Eton schoolmen inform me that, as far as they know, this word was, and is, never used. Love-lane (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A road near the College. Low, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—There are two sorts of fruit pies sold at the school shop, called respectively, according to their shape, “HIGH” and “LOW,” the word “pie” being generally omitted. Magazine, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The dormitory of the smaller boys in the College. Once a trunk room. Mathemat, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante, and add following to quot. 1895:— The most distinctive feature in the MATHEMAT life was the yearly “going to Court.” Our hair was trimmed and brushed for the occasion by the Hospital barber, buttonholes and gloves lavished on us. When we went to Buckingham Palace we drove five in a carriage, the redundant gentleman being literally and metaphorically sat upon by his justly indignant comrades. But more interesting were our visits to Windsor, with the march from the station to the Castle, the long weary waiting in endless corridors and gorgeous ante-chambers, the well-earned lunch, with John Brown peeping in at the door; then Her Majesty’s inspection of our drawings; and finally, our free range over the Castle and toilsome ascent of the Round Tower. I remember the following circumstance: One MATHEMAT exhibited a painting of a ship still building. Prince George of Wales remarked to his brother, “What a ‘rummy’ ship,” at which the exhibitor laughed, causing the elder Prince to exclaim, “Look, George, he’s laughing at you.” Mayfair (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A walk in the playground. Cf. Bond-street. Meeter, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A successful kick at a ball coming towards the one who kicks. See STONYHURST-FOOTBALL. Mob, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A move from one Form to another. Mongrel (Felsted).—See D (Appendix). Monkey. Monkey-room (Stonyhurst).—A lumber-room: chiefly used as a stable for bicycles. Mull, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A fight. Nicks, intj. (Stonyhurst).—See ante. Also used at Stonyhurst by scouts at sight of a Prefect. Nip’s-night, subs. (Felsted).—The annual entertainment for the village people. [Nip = a rustic.] Nurse, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante. Obsolete in London, but retained at Hertford. Officiate, verb (Christ’s Hospital).—To interfere: i.e. to be “officious.” E.g. “Don’t officiate.” On. All on, phr. (Stonyhurst).—The direction given at the end of recreation. Also All in. Passy, adj. (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante. Now obsolete: the modern equivalent is Vish, which see (Appendix). Past, adv. (Stonyhurst).—Beyond the goal line. Peg. To peg in, verb. phr. (Stonyhurst).—(1) To throw in hard: of cricket. (2) To cane severely: of corporal punishment: e.g. “Does So-and-so PEG IN?” Also To LAMM IN. People, subs. (Harrow).—Relations; visitors: e.g. “I’ve got PEOPLE coming down.” Pepper-box, subs. (Eton).—A buttress in the original Fives Court on the Chapel steps—reproduced in all Eton Fives Courts. Pester, subs. (Harrow).—The special cab used to convey boys with infectious diseases to Sanny (q.v.). Pet, The (Felsted).—The petrifying stream: a small brook near Felsted. Philathlet (or Phil), subs. (Harrow).—See Phil, ante. Also the large school cricket ground used for lower games. Philosopher’s-quarters, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The part of the house in which the Philosophers (q.v.) live. Pi, adj. (originally Winchester).—See ante. This expression is now pretty general. Also Pi-jaw (or Pi-gas) = a serious admonition. Pog, subs. (Felsted).—See ante: the suggested derivation is “Pig—pig-faced—pog.” “Put your POG” was the usual direction to Drawing-round (q.v.). Post-office, verb (Harrow).—To promenade the High Street. [Where is situated the post-office.] Prefect’s-room, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The room in which corporal punishment is inflicted. “To visit the PREFECT’S-ROOM” has a recognised significance. Also known as the Tolly-shop. Prisoner’s-bars, subs. (Stonyhurst).—Otherwise known as “Prisoner’s-base.” Privates, subs. (Harrow).—Private lessons. Purgatory, subs. (Stonyhurst).—See Hell. Purl (or Pearl), subs. (Winchester).—A header. Also as verb. Rabble, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The Vesper Choir: i.e. the choir formed of boys not in the College choir proper, who sing alternately with the latter at Vespers. Reading-room, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An hour of extra study after supper. So called from the room in which this study may be done. “I am going to Reading Room.” Rector’s Tower (Stonyhurst).—A tower at the end of the west wing. Also known as Parbrick Tower, after the Rector who built it. Report, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The account of the school work given by the Prefect of Studies in the Boys’ Refectory, before the whole house assembled, at the end of each term. The class which wins most honour is said to get First Praise. After the Report the Distinction Lists are read. Cf. Distinguished. Retreat, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A period of three days annually devoted by the boys to practices of piety. Romans (Stonyhurst).—See Victory-walk. Rostrum, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A pulpit formerly in the boys’ refectory: used for reading during certain meals. Rotten. Bells go rotten, phr. (Winchester).—See Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester (1866), 432. Roust, verb (Durham).—To kick. Sabbatine, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A kind of academical exhibition given by one of the Higher Line (q.v.) classes to the rest of the Higher Line and visitors on a Saturday afternoon. [From Sabbatum.] Sack. To have (or GET) THE SACK, verb. phr. (Harrow).—To be dismissed from school for an offence. A common enough word, but its specific use at Harrow deserves mention. Sage, subs. (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—A class. Sanny, subs. (Harrow).—The School Sanatorium. Scaley, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A term of contempt: applied to all foreigners. Sciff, verb (Christ’s Hospital).—To knock over. Sconse, subs. and adj. (Christ’s Hospital).—A selfish fellow; selfish. See Scaff. Scratch (Christ’s Hospital).—The matron’s servant. Scrub, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A ball hit close to the wall or ground: handball. Scug, subs. (Eton).—A term of contempt for any boy wanting in self-respect. Second-dinner, subs. (Stonyhurst).—When a boy for any reason has been unable to dine with the rest, he is said to go to SECOND-DINNER. Second-tip, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A form of Stonyhurst-cricket (q.v.), in which the batsman had to run once at least in two hits. Second-washing, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The interval allowed every day before dinner for toilet purposes. Semmies (or Seminarians), subs. (Stonyhurst).—Students at the Seminary or St. Mary’s Hall. Semper (Winchester).—See ante. Semper Testis also = “a boy always ready to support any assertion of his friend.” Senior Philosopher, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The head and spokesman of the Philosophers (q.v.). Shag, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A share. Also as verb. Shark, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A “cadger.” Whence, as verb = to make up to; to cadge. Shinner, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A kick on the shins. See Stonyhurst-football. Shop-boys, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The boys responsible for the shop in the “house.” It is entirely in the boys’ own hands; the profits go to the games club. Shuts, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A “sell.” Also as intj. = “Sold again!” Side. Behind one’s side, phr. (Winchester).—Said of a man when nearer the opponents’ goal than the player on his own side who last touched the ball. Also see Swagger (Appendix). Sig, subs. (Harrow).—A signature for work: e.g. “To get a SIG.” See Signed. Signed. To be signed, verb. phr. (Harrow).—To be excused work. Six-and-Six, subs. (Winchester).—See ante. Originally one match yearly between College and Commoners; now three matches between College, Commoners, and Houses. Also Sixes. See Apple-pie day. Sixes, subs. (Harrow).—Alternate six balls in the Yard with another batsman. Hence TO GO SIXES = to go shares in anything. Skew (Harrow).—See ante. Also, as verb = to turn (or fail) in Rep (q.v.). Skit, subs. (Harrow).—A quantity. Slime, verb. 1. (Felsted).—See ante. To sneak in, out, or past. Also as subs., TO DO A SLIME (even in games) = to take a crafty advantage. 2. (Harrow).—To go round quietly. 1898. Warner, Harrow School, 282. His house beak SLIMED and twug him. 3. (Harrow).—To make drops at rackets. Slop, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A term of contempt. Slopper, subs. (The Leys).—A slop-basin. Snoring-dormitory, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A special dormitory reserved for troublesome sleepers. Souppy, subs. (Royal High School, Edin.).—The same as Grubby (q.v.). Spec, verb (Harrow and Durham).—To expect to get; to count on winning beforehand: as a race, &c. Spital Sermon (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante. In The Blue of April 1900 appears an account of a Spital Sermon preached in Christ Church, Newgate Street, April 23rd, 1644: it is quaint. In recent years the Lord Mayor’s chaplain preached on Easter Monday, a bishop on Tuesday, but within the last twenty years the Monday sermon has been given up. Also, the boys no longer wear the bit of paper bearing the words, “He is risen,” and the “Mathemats” have ceased to carry their nautical instruments. Spot. On the spot, phr. (Stonyhurst).—(1) In good humour; (2) in good condition. Stonyhurst-cricket, subs. (Stonyhurst: recently obsolete).—A form of cricket played till very recent times at Stonyhurst, the ordinary game being known as London-cricket. The points of difference are chiefly these: (1) the balls must be swift, and bowled along the ground; (2) the batsman must hit—“slog” is the term; and (3) the game is played at a single wicket. Bat, ball, and wickets differ in shape and size from those used in cricket proper. In Father Gerard’s Stonyhurst will be found a detailed account of the game, and a connection is traced between it and a crude form once played at Eton. It is in all probability a survival of very primitive cricket which became stereotyped because of the life of the College abroad. Stonyhurst-football, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A kind of football played at Stonyhurst and some other schools. It differs materially from the Association and Rugby game, chiefly in these respects: (1) any number may play at once; (2) the ball may be touched by the hand during the game, but not handled or carried as in Rugby football; (3) charging, or otherwise roughly treating another player, is prohibited. The goal-posts are longer and the space between them narrower than in other forms of the game; the ball is small and round. It is akin to a species of football played at Eton, and is clearly a relic of the past. In matches the sides usually have names: e.g. “French and English,” in the Grand Matches—a significant survival from old continental days; “Federals and Allies” (now obsolete); “Pipes and Windows”—a favourite impromptu match, the “Pipes” being those who sit on one side of the old “Study Place,” the “Windows” those who sit on the other. Now that the “Pipes” (hot-water pipes) are on the same side as the windows, the match is more commonly called “Walls and Windows,” but sometimes “Chapel Pipes and Windows.” “Shavers and Non-shavers” is another favourite match. Strue, subs. (general).—A construe. See Con. Superd. To be superd, verb. phr. (Harrow).—To be superannuated. Swack, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—Deception. Whence To swack up = to deceive; to take in. Swagger (or Side), subs. (Harrow).—(1) Appropriating privileges to which one has no right; and (2) using peculiar privileges which others may not use. Etiquette in this respect is very complex. 1898. Warner, Harrow School, 280. The rules of “SWAGGER” are most complex, like other traditional and unwritten codes, and in them a new boy is apt to find himself entangled. He goes out with his umbrella rolled up, and he finds he is swaggering; or he carries it by its middle, or under his arm, or he walks on the middle terrace after chapel, or he innocently wears his “blues” open when it is hot, or turns his trousers up when it is wet, and again he is swaggering. Lady visitors sometimes think small boys at Harrow rude. It is not rudeness which leads boys to stick close to the wall, even when coming up covered with mud from football, and shoulder the world into the gutter, it is modesty; to walk in the road is SWAGGER. To loiter at the house door, or to sing or whistle in the passages, and to wear a hat in the house are also forms of SWAGGER. Taff, subs. (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—A potato. Talker, subs. (Harrow).—One who cannot sing in time. 1898. Howson and Warner, Harrow School, 208. Then followed solos from those who could sing and those who could not—it made no difference. The latter class were called TALKERS, and every boy was encouraged to stand up and “talk it out.” Tap, subs. (Eton).—Originally the Christopher (q.v.). Now the only place recognised by the authorities where a boy can get beer. Tart-feast, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—Certain feasts indulged in by classes at the end of the school year. Temple of Bel[l], The (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—A square tower at the north-east corner of the playground in which the bell was formerly hung: now rendered invisible by the new buildings. Tetra (Felsted).—See ante. Also as adj.: e.g. a science boy regarded “Stinks” as “TETRA-buck.” Thirders, subs. (Harrow).—The Third Eleven. Three Hundred Day (Stonyhurst).—See Day. Three-yearer, subs. (Harrow).—A boy who has been three years in the school, and who, by seniority, has the right to do certain things, which his juniors may not do. Ticket, subs. (Winchester).—A promise, given by a Prefect to a Junior, to remit the next punishment when incurred. Titch, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—See ante. It is suggested that TITCH is a “portmanteau word”—“tight breeches,” the tightening of the garment being often a preliminary to the operation. Tizzy-tick, subs. (Harrow).—An order on a tradesman to the extent of sixpence a day. Tolly, The (Rugby).—See quot. 1900. AthenÆum, 16th June, p. 743. The chapel rather loses by its stunted head, especially as a fine tapering spire (disrespectfully known as “The Tolly”) appears at the back of the Close. Tolly-shop, subs. (Stonyhurst).—See Prefect’s-room. Tolly-ticket, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A custom now generally obsolete, but still kept up by some masters. It used to be common, and consisted in giving a boy a card of good conduct as a reward for specially good work. If, later, he were to incur punishment for some offence, he would produce this card, and, unless the offence were too grave, could thereby receive a free pardon. Such cards were called TOLLY TICKETS or Immunity Cards. [A precisely similar custom is described as having existed at Eton in the forties by Mr. C. Kegan Paul in his Memories.] Tonk, verb (Durham).—To hit: a cricket term. Trav, subs. (Felsted).—Travelling-money. See Hots. Tubby (Christ’s Hospital).—A male servant of the school: his business was to move certain tubs, the use of which has long been discontinued, but the name remains. Tuft, subs. (University).—A young nobleman, entered as a student at a university, so called from the TUFT or gold tassel worn on the cap. Also Gold-hatband (q.v.). Whence “tuft-hunter.” Tuz I, phr. (Felsted).—The same as Fain it (q.v.), Bags I (q.v.), &c. Twelve (Harrow).—See ante. The School Twelve, subs. phr. (Harrow).—The twelve best singers (bass and tenor voices singing in unison) in the school. Whence The House Twelve = the same in each House. Twug (Harrow).—Caught. [The past par. of “twig.”] Vacation-shoes (or -clothes), subs. (Stonyhurst).—Each boy is measured for these before the summer holidays. Victory-walk, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A recognised reward given every half-term to the classes of the Lower Line (q.v.). The system is as follows:—Each class is divided into two sides, Romans and Carthaginians, the boys being set one against another as rivals. When lessons are asked, the rivals are asked in pairs, and each tries to correct the other. A successful correction is called a Victory. At the end of the half-term these victories are counted: the side which has the greater total is freed some afternoon for a Victory-walk. Vile-child, subs. (Eton).—I am informed that this expression was only used by a particular tutor, and was never regarded as peculiar to Eton phraseology. Vill, subs. (Felsted).—The village of Felsted. Vish, adj. (Christ’s Hospital).—Cross: the modern equivalent of Passy (q.v.). [That is, “vicious.”] Whopping, subs. (Harrow).—1. A beating with a cane inflicted by a Monitor, Head of House, Sixth Form boy, &c., on a lower boy for a breach of discipline. 2. A Monitor’s-whopping—a more serious affair, only inflicted in grave cases; the delinquent is brought before the whole body of the Monitors in the Vaughan Library, and punishment given there. Wooden-spoon, subs. (Cambridge).—The student last on the list of mathematical honours. See Tripos, Gulf, Twelve Apostles, Wrangler, &c. Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. Edinburgh & London Transcriber’s note: Unusual and variable spellings, hyphenations, and capitalizations have been retained. All upright instances of ‘Cf.’ italicized (Bicker, [The] Dark Walk, Poetry, Rhetoric) Adsum, double quote inserted before ‘ADSUM,’ “Newcome, “ADSUM,” or” Battlings, ‘67’ changed to ‘87,’ “1886-87. Dickens, Dictionary” Bells, comma inserted following ‘Gabell,’ “be heard “Gabell,” or” Bene-book, comma inserted after ‘male,’ “vix satis, male, Big male” Black-jack, square brace inserted after ‘beer,’ “boy servitor of beer.]” Blow, double quote inserted after ‘late,’ “thou wakyst too late.”” Brasenose, double quote struck before ‘Brazen,’ “Brazen Nose Hall, as” Calk, ‘Cork’ changed to small capitals, “See Appendix, s.v. CORK” Challenge, square brace inserted after ‘q.v.,’ “the Eton Montem (q.v.).]” Continent, double quote inserted after ‘day,’ ““Æger for the day”” Dispar, ‘Commons’ changed to ‘commons,’ “A commons or share.” Div, text re-ordered for clarity, “e.g. Tique-div (q.v.” Dreep, ‘or’ changed to medium weight, “Dreep (or Dreip)” Drive, full stop inserted after ‘subs,’ “Also as subs.” Fin, double quote inserted after ‘etc.,’ ““I won’t have, &c.”” Genuine, square brace inserted after ‘115,’ “cf. Parsius, i. 115.]” Go, comma inserted after ‘Kingsley,’ “H. Kingsley, Austin Elliot” Hatch, ‘garden’ changed to ‘garden-gate,’ “a garden-gate, wicket-gate” Haul, full stop inserted after ‘verb,’ “verb. phr. (Harrow).—To have” Long Chamber, ‘Long Chamber’ changed to small capitals, “years.... LONG CHAMBER, a dormitory” Long-meads, double qute inserted before ‘The,’ ““The time after dinner” Mad, ‘Triolus’ changed to ‘Troilus,’ “Chaucer, Troilus [Skeat” Mess, double quote inserted after ‘ready,’ “as MESS is ready.”” Mortar-board, double quote struck before ‘fusc,’ “(no “sub fusc” undergrad.)” Mustard-and-Pepper Keeper, ‘A’ changed to ‘An,’ “An appointment in the” Nob, double quote inserted before ‘We,’ ““We must find you some” Non-attached, double quote inserted after ‘NON-ATTACHED,’ ““NON-ATTACHED,” and is now” Pandie, ‘See’ italicized, “See Redgauntlet” Post te, ‘POSTE’ changed to ‘POST,’ “e.g. POST TE hat” Skirmish, full stop inserted after ‘verb,’ “verb. phr. (Winchester).—To” Snicks, full stop inserted after ‘verb,’ “verb. phr. (Winchester).—To” Sniw, full stop inserted after ‘verb,’ “verb. phr. (The Leys).—To” Sock, double quote inserted after ‘week,’ “three times last week,”” Swink, ‘Marriage’ changed to ‘Mariage,’ “Mariage of Witt and Wisdome” Tardy, double quote inserted after ‘TASK,’ ““I was TARDY TASK”” Touch, double quote inserted after ‘STONE,’ “of the CRICKET-STONE”” Waffle, colon changed to semi-colon after ‘weak,’ “is very weak; waffy” Appendix, Fag-poker, ‘LAG’ changed to ‘FAG,’ “call of “FAG poker” Appendix, Stonyhurst-football, ‘form’ changed to ‘forms,’ “in other forms of” |
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