Chapter I: Part 1

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
WORD-BOOK

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THE

PUBLIC SCHOOL WORD-BOOK

A CONTRIBUTION TO

A HISTORICAL GLOSSARY OF WORDS PHRASES
AND TURNS OF EXPRESSION OBSOLETE
AND IN PRESENT USE

PECULIAR TO

OUR GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

TOGETHER WITH SOME THAT HAVE BEEN OR
ARE _MODISH_ AT THE UNIVERSITIES

BY

JOHN S. FARMER

EDITOR OF “AMERICANISMS—OLD AND NEW,” “REGIMENTAL RECORDS
OF THE BRITISH ARMY,” AND (WITH W. E. HENLEY)
“SLANG AND ITS ANALOGUES,” ETC.

LONDON
PRIVATELY ISSUED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
BY HIRSCHFELD BROTHERS
13 FURNIVAL STREET, E.C.
MCM

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PREFACE

It has been a matter of note and, maybe, of surprise that no attempt has hitherto been made to gather in one volume the numerous Words, Phrases, and Turns of Expression peculiar to OUR GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Bare lists of a dozen or more examples may be found in certain (mostly out-of-date) Records and Histories; but taking the Schools individually, only in one instance—Winchester—has there been anything but the most perfunctory attention given to the subject; and in no case has the question received that analytical, scientific treatment—historically and comparatively—which has proved so invaluable in the “Oxford Dictionary” and in “Slang and its Analogues.”

It would, however, seem almost necessary to emphasise the fact that this Word-Book is not, _per se_, a dictionary of school slang. On the contrary, it is far more than that. For, though such colloquialisms as are _peculiar_ to Public School life are naturally and rightly included, yet by far the larger number of the examples here set down do not, by any accepted method of classification, fall within that category. I am led to make this clear at the outset by reason of a somewhat curious, but altogether erroneous idea that the present book was to be a mere reprint of extracts from the larger work on which, for many years, I have been engaged. That is not so.

Nor, moreover, do these words and phrases appear, save in very few instances, in any other work—not even in so admirably complete a dictionary, in other respects, as “The Century,” while the monumental Oxford undertaking will not be available, as a complete authority, for many years to come.

Having thus stated what this work is _not_, it seems borne on me to explain, anew, what it _is_, or rather, what has been my method. Briefly put, my idea has been to collect such words, phrases, names, and allusions to customs as now are, or have been, _peculiar_ to English Public School life, and to apply to their definition and elucidation what is known as the “historical” method, illustrating such examples as lent themselves to it by quotations from old and present-day writers.

The Public Schools with which I have been concerned, arranged chronologically in order of foundation or charter, are as follows:—

1160 Derby. │1564 Felsted.
1387 Winchester. │1567 Rugby.
1441 Eton. │1571 Harrow.
1515 Manchester Grammar. │1592 Stonyhurst.
1538 Royal High School, Edin. │1611 Charterhouse.
1541 Durham Grammar. │1619 Dulwich.
1550 Sherborne. │1830 Loretto.
1551 Shrewsbury. │1841 Cheltenham.
1552 Christ’s Hospital. │1843 Marlborough.
1552 King Edward’s. │1848 Lancing.
1553 Tonbridge. │1859 Wellington.
1560 Westminster. │1875 The Leys.
Also the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham,
Aberdeen, Dublin, &c.

How far I have been successful in my task I leave others to judge. I must confess, however, that the extent and wealth of this special field of inquiry has somewhat astonished me: yet I fear my lists are, in some cases, still incomplete. But, even so, this contribution towards a more perfect glossary will, I think, be a revelation to many.

No wonder our Mother-tongue is so vigorous, adaptable, and expansive—reaching out in its creative energy to all the forms and necessities of modern life—when even Young England shows such aptitude in coining new expressions, and adapting older forms to its ever-changing (and, shall I say, ever-increasing) needs. Studied comparatively, there will be found much significance, not alone in the survivals from past generations, but also in the relatively newer phraseology. Many an interesting side-light, too, is thrown on ancient school customs and usages.

Though primarily addressing myself to past schoolmen, it is not without a hope that the general student and scholar, as well as those still _in statu pupillari_, will find something of use and to interest.

Finally, I desire, though holding myself alone responsible for aught that is solecismal in these pages, to acknowledge my indebtedness to those who have afforded me such unstinted aid in compiling this work. Especially are my thanks due to Mr. P. K. Tollit (Derby); Mr. W. Durnford (Eton); Mr. R. D. Hodgson (Manchester Grammar); Mr. C. A. Ross (Royal High School, Edin.); Rev. A. E. Hillard (Durham); Mr. W. B. Wildman (Sherborne); Rev. J. F. Cornish (Christ’s Hospital); Rev. E. W. Badger (King Edward’s, Birm.); Mr. C. H. Crofts (Tonbridge); Rev. E. Gepp (Felsted); Mr. G. Townsend Warner (Harrow); the Rev. Fathers Gerard and Browne and Rev. A. Goodier (Stonyhurst); Dr. H. H. Almond (Loretto); Mr. J. F. L. Hardy (Marlborough); Mr. J. C. Isard (The Leys).

SPECIAL NOTICE

_While the “Public School Word-Book” was passing through the press a certain amount of additional matter came to hand. Rather than omit altogether I have included it in an Appendix._

_May I also say that I shall welcome any suggestions, additions, or corrections that may be forwarded to me?_

_Communications may be addressed to John S. Farmer, c/o Messrs. Hirschfeld Bros., 13 Furnival Street, London, E.C._

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THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL WORD-BOOK

*A*, TO GET ONE’S “A,” _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—To pass a certain
standard in the Gymnasium: the next step being to the
Gymnasium Eight. _See_ Appendix.

*Abber*, _subs._ (Harrow).—1. An abstract: on history, &c.; set
as a punishment.

2. An ABSIT (_q.v._): on whole holidays, or under medical
advice.

*Abroad*, _adv._ (Winchester).—Convalescent; out of the
sick-room: _e.g._ “I have been (or come) ABROAD a week.”
_Cf._ CONTINENT.

1534. UDALL, _Roister Doister_, ... I bid him keepe warme at home, For
if he come ABROADE, he shall cough me a mome.

1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 _Hen. IV._, i. 2. I am glad to see your Lordship
ABROAD. I heard say your Lordship was sicke. I hope your Lordship goes
ABROAD by aduice.

1761. _Letter_ [WRENCH]. I have been exceeding ill ... am not just got
ABROAD again.

*Abs*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Absent: placed against the name when
away from school. [From _absunt_ on Rolls.]

_Verb._ To take (get, or go) away. Formerly (_circa_ 1840)
to ABS a tolly (candle) = to put it out; it now = to take it
away whether lighted or unlighted, the modern NOTION
(_q.v._) for putting it out being to “dump” it. As a neuter
verb ABS is generally used in the imperative: _e.g._ “ABS!”
“Oh, do ABS!” Sometimes, however, a fellow is said TO ABS
quickly, and MESS THINGS (_q.v._) are ABSED, or put away. To
HAVE ONE’S WIND ABSED = to have it taken away by a violent
blow in the stomach.

*Absence*, _subs._ (Eton).—Names-calling. [This takes place at 3
and 6 P.M. on half-holidays; at 11.30, 3, and 6 P.M. on
whole-holidays; at 6 P.M. only in summer half.]

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 174. And the elevens were made
up, as they best might, out of such adventurous spirits as dared to
“skip” roll-calls and ABSENCE for the purpose. Eton, when the losers,
attributed the fact to the want of their best men in consequence of
these difficulties.

*Absit*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—_See_ quot.

1886. DICKENS’S _Dictionary of the University of Cambridge_, p. 3.
Every undergraduate wishing to leave Cambridge for a whole day, not
including a night, must obtain an ABSIT from his tutor. Permission to
go away for a longer period, either at the end of the term or in the
middle, is called an “exeat,” and no undergraduate should go down
without obtaining his “exeat.”

*Academia*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ Appendix.

*Academy*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An exhibition given at the end
of every quarter: the first by RHETORIC (_q.v._), the second
by POETRY (_q.v._), the third by SYNTAX (_q.v._), the last,
called the GREAT ACADEMIES, by all three combined. This last
is the crowning act of the school year, being attended by
many visitors, and is followed by the annual distribution of
prizes. Hence ACADEMY ROOM = the large hall in which the
chief exhibitions, displays, concerts, plays, &c., are held.
[The name may have come from the school at Liège, which was
known as the “Academy”; but more probably it is of much
older date, being derived from the “Academiæ” of the _Ratio
Studiorum Societatis Jesu_.]

*Accidence* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Ack* (or *Ick*), _intj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—No! nothing.
_Ex._ “Lend me your book.” “ACK!” Obsolete.

*Action*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—A game
in which a number of boys start from one end of the
cloisters and run to the other, trying to avoid being
captured _en route_ by others who seek to intercept
them. The game was also called FOX AND DOWDY. These were
names in use twenty-five years ago. To-day the same game
is called BACCA, because the prisoners must be held long
enough for the captor to say, “one, two, three, caught,
tobacco!”

*Ad lib.*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The time when boys are not
bound to study in the STUDY-PLACE (_q.v._).

*Admonishing-money*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 116. The punishments for
speaking English in hall or school, which have been before alluded to,
were strictly enforced in his [Dr. Busby’s] days in the way of fines,
called ADMONISHING-MONEY, which figure occasionally in his [Lynn’s]
account. The custom was for the second boy of the second election to
act as a sort of monitor for this purpose, and to deliver to any boy
who so offended a “mark” or tally, with the words, _Tu es custos_;
this mark he had to pass in turn to the first whom he could detect in
a similar slip, and the boy with whom the mark remained when hall
broke up incurred a fine. Charles Dryden, son of the poet, thought
himself so hardly used by being made _custos_ three days running (by
some unfairness, as he conceived), that the father wrote a strong
letter on the subject to his old master, Busby, and was very nearly
removing the boy from school.

*Ad portas*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A Latin speech
delivered by the Senior College Prefect to the Warden of New
College and the POSERS (_q.v._) under Middle gate at the
commencement of Election week.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 61. When the Warden of New
College, Oxford, with two of his Fellows, called the “posers” (or at
one time “supervisors”), arrive at the college, ... they are received
with a Latin oration AD PORTAS by the senior scholar. Two other
speeches are delivered in school just before their arrival: 1.
_Elizabethæ et Jacobi Laudes_ (commonly known as “Elizabeth and
Jacob”), by the Prefect of School; 2. _Fundatoris Laudes_, formerly
assigned to the senior “Founder’s kin” scholar, but now spoken by the
third prefect.

*Adsum*, _intj._ (Charterhouse).—The response made in answer to
names-calling.

1855. THACKERAY, _The Newcomes_, p. 774. At the usual evening hour the
chapel bell began to toll, and Thomas Newcome’s hands outside the bed
feebly beat time. And just as the last bell struck a peculiar sweet
smile shone over his face, and he lifted up his head a little and
quickly said ADSUM, and fell back. It was the word we used at school
when names were called; and lo, he whose heart was as that of a little
child had answered to his name, and stood in the presence of the
Master.

1900. _Daily Telegraph_, 23rd March, 8. 7. As in the old days of
Colonel Newcome, “ADSUM,” or “Always ready,” is still the watch-word
of the Charterhouse, whose authorities have issued a neatly-printed
list of Old Carthusians serving in South Africa, in a cover of the
school colours.

1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, p. 97. ADSUM is the name of a new
institution.... There was no occasion for it when the school was in
London, and none could pass beyond the school precincts. Colonel
Newcome must have answered ADSUM at prayers only.

*Æger*. _See_ ÆGROTAT.

*Æger-room*, _subs._ (Felsted).—The sick-room. _See_ ÆGROTAT.

*Ægrotat* (or *Æger*), _subs._ (University).—(1) A medical
certificate excusing attendance. (2) The degree taken by
those so excused. READING ÆGROTAT = leave taken (generally
in December) to read for one’s degree. [Lat. _ægrotare_.]

1794. _Gent. Mag._, p. 1085. They [at Cambridge] sported an ÆGROTAT,
and they sported a new coat!

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iv. “That there’s the ‘All, sir,
_that_ is,—where you dines, sir, leastways when you ain’t ‘Æger,’ or
elseweer.” _Ibid._, viii.—“Not very well, Robert, thank you. I—my head
aches, and I’m afraid I shall not be able to get up for chapel.”...
“If you’ll leave it to me, sir, I’ll make it all right for you, _I_
will. Of course you’d like to take out an ÆGER, sir; and I can bring
you your Commons just the same.”

1864. BABBAGE, _Passages from the Life of a Philosopher_, 37. I sent
my servant to the apothecary for a thing called an ÆGROTAT, which I
understood ... meant a certificate that I was indisposed.

1870. _Chambers’s Journal_, June 18, p. 395. Dick laughed. “I’ll get
the receipt from him. I often want a good thing for an ÆGER.”

1888. H. SMART, in _Temple Bar_, February, p. 213. “Instead of
applying for leave to my tutor, I had resorted to the old device of
pricking ÆGER.”

1890. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 2. What’s up ... with Smith? He went ÆGER
before school this afternoon. I expect he’s rather bad; he is not the
fellow to go ÆGER for nothing. I do hate that ÆGER-room.

*After Four.* _See_ FOUR.

*Afternoon-tea*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—Detention
after 3 o’clock.

*After Twelve.* _See_ TWELVE.

*-agger*, _inseparable suffix_ (Charterhouse).—As in
COMBINAGGERS, a combination suit of pyjamas.

*Alderman*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A qualified swimmer.
[From “The Alders,” a deep pool in the river Chelmer.]

1893. _Felstedian_, June, p. 79. Years ago there existed at Felsted a
class of beings known as “Swimming ALDERMEN.” What they were, and
whence they came, I know not; perhaps some Old Felstedian will be able
to enlighten me on the point. Perhaps the name was given to those who
could swim so many times from the “Alders” to “Duck-pond”; or,
perhaps, the name was derived from the aldermanic proportions of the
swimmer. _Ibid._ (1895, Ap., p. 44). A fourth term, “ALDERMAN,” was
not in the list. It has certainly “been dead lengthy” but was once
prized by its possessors, who had to swim so many times from the “Duck
Pond” to “The Alders” before they could gain the title. Ten lengths of
the new bath would afford a fair test, and ALDERMEN might have some
privilege or other. Its revival would be a good thing, for there has
of late been a tendency to prefer diving to swimming.

*All.* _See_ ALONG; IN; OUT; and ON.

*Allows*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The weekly allowance of 2s., from
which breakages, &c., are stopped.

*Alma Mater*, _subs._ (general).—One’s school, college, or
university.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, ii. 2. A white tie and a pair of very
small bands—the two articles which, with the usual academicals, form
the costume demanded by ALMA MATER of all her children when they take
their places in her schools.

1874. _The Blue_, Aug., _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_. In fact, the
musical arrangements of our ALMA MATER were something exceedingly
below _par_.

*Along.* ALL ALONG, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A kind
of dribbling football practice: indulged in during a short
spell of recreation.

*Alto-cad*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The paid member of the choir
taking alto.

*Amen-chapel*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A long service performed on
the four days set apart for commemorating the Founder, and
on the anniversary of his death.

*Ancient-mariner*, _subs._ (University).—A rowing Don.

*Anstey’s.* _See_ PLANKS.

*Apostles*, _subs._ (University).—_See_ quot.

1803. _Gradus ad Cantab._ The APOSTLES are the clodhoppers of
literature, who have at last scrambled through the Senate House
without being plucked, and have obtained the title of B.A. by a
miracle. The last twelve names on the list of Bachelor of Arts are
thus designated. [The term is now (1900) applied to the last twelve in
the Mathematical TRIPOS (_q.v._)]

*Appii* (The), _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—The Three Tuns, a
celebrated Durham inn. [From a misunderstanding of Acts
xxviii. 15.]

*Apple-pie Day*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The day on which
SIX-AND-SIX (_q.v._) is played—the Thursday after the first
Tuesday in December. [Because hot apple-pies were served on
GOMERS (_q.v._) in College for dinner.]

*Aquatics*, _subs._ (Eton).—Where boys “in the boats” play
cricket; also the WET-BOB cricket team.

*Archdeacon*, _subs._ (Oxford).—Merton strong ale.

*Armoury, The* (Harrow).—The room under the Old Schools where
rifles, belonging to the Rifle Corps, are kept.

*Arrow*, subs. (Harrow).—A challenge arrow, of silver: given to
the COCK-HOUSE (_q.v._) at shooting.

*Arundel Day* (The Leys).—The choir summer holiday.

*Ascension-day.* _See_ ASCENSIO SCHOLARUM.

*Ascensio Scholarum*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The opening
ceremony of the school year. The whole house assembles in
the STUDY-PLACE (_q.v._), and the Prefect of Studies reads
out the new forms, prefixing the formula “_Maneant in_” or
“_Ascendant in_” as the case may be. The day is known as
“Ascension Day.”

1843. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Nov. 1883, p. 232. The _Ascensio Scholarum_
was managed quite otherwise then than now [1843-83].... _Ascension
Day._—The opening day of schools. Mass of the Holy Ghost is said in
the church, after breakfast. The different schools, headed by their
masters, then return to the schoolrooms which they occupied the
preceding scholastic year. Presently the large bell tolls, and then
the Prefect of Studies opens the door of POETRY (_q.v._), and
announces that “RHETORIC (_q.v._) is empty.” The POETS (_q.v._) leave
their room and ascend to Rhetoric, and forthwith become Rhetoricians,
with all their privileges. Then the (late) Poet’s doorkeeper knocks at
SYNTAX’ (_q.v._) door and sings out that “Poetry is empty”; and so on
through the different schools. The little fellows newly arrived have
to wait in the gallery until “LITTLE FIGURES” (_q.v._) is vacant, when
they become Little Figuricians, “Little Figures,” it will be observed,
being what we [1883] call “ELEMENTS” (_q.v._).

*Ash-planting*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 349. In this room
[Over-School] it was that, in the latter half of the last century, the
punishment of ASH-PLANTING used to take place. It was inflicted by
order and in the presence of a judicial committee of the præposters
(Sixth Form) for some few grave offences against the recognised
internal discipline of the school, _e.g._ personal assault upon one of
their body by a mutinous fag—an offence which would still be severely
punished by the masters, if not by the Sixth themselves. Three
ash-saplings were used; in theory, at least, the two first were to be
broken upon the person of the culprit. The punishment was
severe—perhaps unjustifiably so; but it had the character of being
only inflicted in extreme cases, and with strict justice, and was not
regarded as a cruelty in the school.

*Athens* (Eton).—A bathing-place.

1865. _Etoniana_, p. 162. No boy is now allowed to go into a boat
until he has passed an examination in swimming before a committee of
masters at ATHENS or at Cuckoo Weir.

*Audit-ale* (or *Audit*), _subs._ (Cambridge).—A special brew of
ale, peculiar to Trinity College. [First-made draught on
AUDIT days.]

1837. BARHAM, _Ingoldsby Legends_, “Lay of St. Dunstan.” The “Trinity
AUDIT ALE” is not come-at-able, as I’ve found to my great grief when
dining at that table.

1876. TREVELYAN, _Life of Macaulay_ (1884), ch. iv. p. 127. A glass of
the AUDIT ALE, which reminded him that he was still a Fellow of
Trinity.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 55. A lot of Freshmen got together
after Hall (it was a Saints’ day, and they’d been drinking AUDIT) and
went and made hay in Marling’s rooms.

*Aul. præ*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Prefect of Hall. [Abbreviation
of _Præfectus Aulæ_.]

*Ave Maria Lane* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A walk in the
playground.

*B*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A standard in Gymnasium the next below
the A (_q.v._). _See_ Appendix.

*Bacca.* _See_ ACTION.

*Bacchus*, _subs._ (Eton).—A copy of verses. _See_ quot.

1865. _Etoniana_, 27. On Shrove-Tuesday verses were written [_c._
1561] in honour or dispraise of Bacchus—“because poets were considered
the clients of Bacchus”—and those composed by the senior boys were
fixed on the inside of the folding-doors of the hall, as was the old
fashion in all schools and colleges. This custom was continued almost
into modern days, and though the subject was changed, the copy of
verses was still called “a BACCHUS.” When Pepys paid a visit to the
school in 1665, he found the subject given out for that year was the
one topic of absorbing interest—the Plague.

*Back.* To BACK UP, _verb_ (Winchester).—To call out: _e.g._
“Why didn’t you BACK UP? I should have come.” [In College
various times are BACKED-UP by Junior in Chambers, such as
“Three quarters!” “Hour!” “Bells go single!” “Bells down!”]

*Back Alley* (The Leys: obsolete).—A passage dividing “Upper”
and “Lower” Quadrangle: now done away with.

*Backings-up*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Half-burned fagot-ends.
[BACKING (prov. in Linc., Leices., and North country) =
slack; small-coal; turf.]

*Backs*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A favourite walk with
undergraduates.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 23. I’m in training now for the
Lent races, and have to be out for a walk in the BACKS before
breakfast every morning.

*Badger*, _subs._ (Wellington).—A member of the Second XV. at
football. [A “badge” is bestowed when permission is given to
play in this team.]

*Bag*, _subs._ (Westminster).—Milk.

*Bags* (or *Bags I*), _intj._ (common).—Used to assert a claim
to some article or privilege. Analogous school slang is
FAINS or FAIN IT (_q.v._) for demanding a truce during the
progress of a game, and which is always granted by the
opposing party. In other schools PIKE I or PRIOR PIKE serve
to lay claim to anything, or for asserting priority. Also
BAR: _e.g._ “He wanted me to do so and so, but I BARRED
not.” _Cf._ FAIN.

*Bags’-stile*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 363. On the Dunchurch Road there
was a stile long known as BAGS’ STILE; here a certain set of boys, of
whom Lyttelton was one [_c._ 1793], used to sit and “chaff” the
passing “bagsmen”—for the commercial travellers to Rugby then rode
with actual saddle-bags; and this practice led to terrible fights
occasionally with the aggrieved riders.

*Bake*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To rest; to sit or lie at ease.
Hence BAKER (_q.v._); BAKESTER (obsolete) = a sluggard;
BAKING-LEAVE (_q.v._); BAKING-PLACE (_q.v._); BAKER-LAYER
(_q.v._). [North. Dial. _beak_ = to bask in the heat.
JAMIESON, _beik_, _beke_, _beek_ = to bask.]

1360. _Ywaine_ [RITSON, _E. M. R._]. And ligges BEKEAND in his bed.

_d._ 1395. _Barbour MS._ Ane Inglis man, that lay BEKAND Hym be a fyr.

1577. KENDALL [WRENCH]. At home we take our ease And BEAKE ourselves
in rest.

1648. SYMMONS, _Vindication of Chas. I._ Wherefore if that Pope of
Rome when he lay BEAKING himself in the midst of his luxuries, had
cause to cry out, _Heu quantum patimur pro Christo_.

_d._ 1758. RAMSAY, _Works_. She and her cat sit BEEKING in her yard.

*Baker*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A cushion; also anything used
to sit or kneel upon, as a blotting-book, &c. [BAKERS were
of two kinds: that used in “College” was of large size,
oblong in shape, and green in colour. The other, used in
“Commoners,” was thin, narrow, much smaller, and of red
colour.] Hence BAKER-LAYER (obsolete) = a Junior who used
to take a Prefect’s green BAKER in and out of Hall at
meal-times.

*Baker-layer.* _See_ BAKER.

*Baking-leave*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—1. Permission to
BAKE (_q.v._) in a study in Commoners, or in a SCOB (_q.v._)
place in College. 2. Leave to sit in another’s TOYS
(_q.v._).

*Baking-place*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Any place in which to BAKE
(_q.v._), or in connection with which BAKING-LEAVE (_q.v._)
was given.

*Balbus*, _subs._ (University).—A Latin prose composition. [From
the frequency with which BALBUS is quoted in ARNOLD’S
well-known text-book, _Latin Prose Composition_.]

1870. _Quarterly Review._ BALBUS was in constant use.

*Ball.* CALL THE BALL! _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The “Foul!” of
Association Football.

*Balls*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A Junior in College collects
footballs from the lockers in school and takes them through
at 6 o’clock to the Ball-keeper in Commoners to be blown or
repaired. The Ball-keeper is an Inferior who, for service in
looking after cricket and foot-balls, is exempted from
KICKING-IN (_q.v._) and WATCHING-OUT (_q.v._).

*Bally*, _subs._ (Sherborne: obsolete).—Ball court, the old name
for the Fives’ courts; there was a game, evidently like
fives, played at Sherborne against the north transept of the
church as early as 1585. The word has long ago passed out of
use.

*Banco*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Evening preparation at HOUSE
under the superintendence of a monitor; the Winchester
TOY-TIME (_q.v._).

1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, 81. At old Charterhouse monitors had
unlimited powers.... They were seldom interfered with by any master;
for instance, the visit of a house master to BANCO was intensely
resented. There was a “boule” in the Sixth Form of 1872, as to what a
monitor should do who was thus insulted. Should he at once put his cap
on, and take no notice of the master? or would it be more dignified to
walk straight out of the room? _Ibid._, 84. The chief duties of a
monitor now are to keep BANCO, and to see that order is preserved in
the cubicles, and in his house generally. BANCO is the time from 7.30
to 8.55 every week-day evening except Saturday, and from 8.15 to 8.55
on Sundays, when the Under School sit in Long Room and prepare their
work for the next day. The keeping of BANCO is a fine exercise in
discipline for the monitor, and a very convenient arrangement for the
house master. It is a tradition that a monitor helps every Under
School boy with his work during BANCO if he can. _Ibid._, 95. The term
BANCO was suggested by H. W. Phillott, afterwards Canon of Hereford
... in 1832, or a little later.

*Bandy*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: nearly obsolete).—The Stonyhurst
form of Hockey: prominent in the Tichborne trial, when the
Claimant at first thought it a nickname, and afterwards a
part of the College buildings.

1823. NARES, _Glossary_, s.v. BANDY-BALL. A Yorkshire game, played
with a crooked bat and a ball. It is the same as the Scottish game of
golf. See STOWE’S _Survey_, ed. 1720, i. 251.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BANDY. A game played with
sticks called BANDIES, bent and round at one end, and a small wooden
ball, which each party endeavours to drive to opposite fixed points.
Northbrooke, in 1577, mentions it as a favourite game in Devonshire.
It is sometimes called BANDY-BALL, and an early drawing of the game is
copied in STRUTT’S _Sports and Pastimes_, p. 102.

*Bangy* (or *Bangay*), _subs._ (Winchester).—Brown sugar. Also
as _adj._ = brown. Hence BANGAY BAGS (or BANGIES) =
brown-coloured trousers. WRENCH says the strong objection to
these in former times probably arose from Tony Lumpkin
coming to school in corduroys. [Suggested derivations are:
(1) from _Bangalore_, a coarse-sugar growing country; (2)
_bhang_ = hemp; (3) _banjy_ (Essex) = dull, gloomy.] A brown
gate formerly leading from Grass Court into Sick House Meads
was known as the BANGY GATE. The term is now often applied
to the gate by Racquet Court into Kingsgate Street.

*Bar.* TO BAR OUT, _verb. phr._ (Royal High School, Edin.:
obsolete).—To lock or barricade the doors to exclude the
masters. This custom has been practically extinct since the
day that Bailie John Macmorrane was shot by a pupil, William
Sinclair, son of the Chancellor of Caithness, while
endeavouring to get the door battered down (Sept. 15, 1595).

*Barbar*, _subs._ (Durham).—A candidate for scholarship from
another school. [That is, “barbarian” = foreigner.]

*Barber*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A thick fagot or bough; one was
included in each bundle. Also any large piece of wood.

_Verb_ (University).—To work off impositions by deputy.
[Tradition relates that a learned barber was at one time
frequently employed as a scapegoat in working off this
species of punishment inflicted on peccant students.] Also
TO BARBERISE.

1853. BRADLEY (“Cuthbert Bede”), _Verdant Green_, xii. As for
impositions, why ... ’Aint there coves to BARBERISE ’em for you?

*Barge*, _subs._ (Sherborne).—Small cricket: played, with a
stump for bat, against a wall.

_Verb_ (Charterhouse).—To hustle; TO MOB UP (_q.v._); TO
BRICK (_q.v._).

*Barn, The* (Charterhouse).—A temporary wooden building,
constructed in 1876 to meet deficiencies in class-room
accommodation. It stood on the site now occupied by the
Museum. It disappeared in 1884.

*Barnet*, _intj._ (Christ’s Hospital: obsolete).—Nonsense!
Humbug!

*Barn-school*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 367. Dr. James found there [Rugby
in 1777] 52 boys; in five years he had raised them to 165. The one
large schoolroom was no longer sufficient ... a new building was
added.... Even the new schools overflowed, for the members rose in
time to near 300; and the head-master was obliged to migrate into a
barn adjoining the Dunchurch Road.... There for more than twenty years
successive head-masters taught the two senior forms.... Connecting
these buildings with the three schools adjoining the old manor-house
was a line of cow-sheds, which served as a shelter in rainy
weather.... Such was the Rugby of 1809; for it was not till long
afterwards that barn and cow-sheds disappeared, though the present
school buildings were begun in that year.

*Barracks*, _subs._ (Loretto).—A Form occasionally interpolated
between NIPPERS (_q.v._) and Fourth. [In the Sixties a
master at Loretto was known as the Captain, and when the
first overflow from the school-house took place, the
house in which a few boys slept, and over which he was
master, was called the Garrison. The adjoining house was
afterwards occupied and was called the BARRACKS. Whence the
interpolated Form, which for a time had for its schoolroom a
room at that house, getting the name of the Barracks Form.
The name clung to it when moved to one of the regular
schoolrooms.]

*Barter*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A half volley at cricket. Also
as _verb_. [From Warden Barter, who was famous in the
cricket-field for dealing with such balls.]

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 65. None showed more enthusiastic
interest in these [Public School Cricket] matches than the late
excellent Warden, Robert Speckott Barter.... He seldom missed a match
at Lord’s from the time he played in the school eleven himself. He was
a tremendous hitter in his day; and the remarkable punishment which he
dealt out to the ball, when he was lucky enough to catch it on the
“half-volley,” has given to a long hit of this character at Winchester
(and even elsewhere) the name of a BARTER.

*Bartlemytide*, _subs._ (general: old).—The summer holiday.

*Base*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A goal: at football.

*Basinite*, _subs._ (Charterhouse: obsolete).—A hot-water fag:
he had to get hot water and towels ready for a monitor when
he descended to wash in COCKS (_q.v._).

*Bat-mugger*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A wooden instrument used in
oiling cricket-bats.

*Battal*, _subs._ (Harrow and Charterhouse).—Battalion drill for
the Rifle Corps: usually (at Harrow) in the evening. [The
second is the syllable accentuated.]

*Battler*, _subs._ (general).—A student. _See_ BATTLINGS.

*Battlings* (or *Battels*), _subs._ (general).—An allowance, in
money or kind; apparently originally intended to supplement
the meagre fare of fast-days. _Cf._ quots. Hence TO BATTEL =
to take provisions from the buttery.

1607. WENTWORTH SMITH, _Puritan_ [MALONE, _Suppl._, ii. 543]. Eat my
commons with a good stomach, and BATTLED with discretion.

1611. COTGRAVE, _Dict._... To BATTLE (as scholars do in Oxford), être
debiteur au collège pour ses vivres. _Ibid._, Mot usé seulement des
jeunes écoliers de l’université d’Oxford.

16 [?]. _Account rendered to Arch. of York_ [_William of Wykeham and
His Colleges_]. Item for BATTLINGS on fasting days with the lent. 0.
9. 8. [_i.e._, 9s. 8d.]

1678. PHILLIPS, _Dict._, s.v. BATTEL. In the University of Oxford is
taken for to run on to exceedings above the ordinary stint of the
appointed Commons.

1744. SALMON, _Present State of Univ._, i. 423. Undergraduates
consisting of Noblemen, Gentlemen-Commoners, Commoners, Scholars of
the Foundation, Exhibitioners, BATTLERS, and Servitors.... The
Commoners, I presume, are so called from their Commoning together, and
having a certain portion of Meat and Drink provided for them,
denominated Commons.... The BATTLERS are entitled to no Commons, but
purchase their Meat and Drink of the Cook and Butler.

1786-1805. TOOKE, _Purley_, 390, _s.v._ BATTEL, a term used at Eton
for the small portion of food which, in addition to the College
allowance, the Collegers receive from the Dames.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 184. The
expense was defrayed by the boys subscribing the last three BATTLINGS
(_i.e._ the weekly shilling allowed each boy). This was rather an
illusory coin, for we seldom actually fingered it, as some one of the
College servants generally had a kind of prescriptive right to a
benefit; and whenever Saturday arrived, Præfect of Hall’s valet was
sure to come round to ask the boys if they would give their BATTLING
to Rat Williams, or Dungy, or Pulver, or Long John, or some other
equally deserving individual.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, II. vii. [Note]. BATTELS are the
accounts of the expenses of each student. It is stated in Todd’s
_Johnson_ that this singular word is derived from the Saxon verb,
meaning “to count or reckon.” But it is stated in the _Gentleman’s
Magazine_ for 1792, that the word may probably be derived from the
Low-German word _bettahlen_, “to pay,” whence may come our English
word _tale_ or _score_.

1864. _Household Words_, p. 188. The business of the latter was to
call us of a morning to distribute amongst us our BATTLINGS, or
pocket-money.

1880. TROLLOPE, _Autobiogr._, i. 13. Every boy had a shilling a week
pocket-money, which we called BATTELS. [This is probably a
misprint—the Winchester term, as that used at other schools, is
BATTLING. It was advanced out of the pocket of the Second Master.]

1886-87. DICKENS, _Dictionary of Oxford and Cambridge_, p. 16. BATTELS
is properly a designation of the food obtained from the College
Buttery. An account of this, and of the account due to the Kitchen, is
sent in to every undergraduate weekly, hence these bills also are
known as BATTELS, and the name, further, is extended to the total
amount of the term’s expenses furnished by the College. In some
Colleges it is made essential to the keeping of an undergraduates’
term that he should BATTEL, _i.e._ obtain food in College on a certain
number of days each week.

1889. MURRAY, _Hist. Eng. Dict._, s.v. BATTELS. Much depends on the
original sense at Oxford: if this was ‘food, provisions,’ it is
natural to connect it with “BATTLE,” to feed, or receive
nourishment.... It appears that the word has apparently undergone
progressive extensions of application, owing partly to changes in the
internal economy of the colleges. Some Oxford men of a previous
generation state that it was understood by them to apply to the
buttery accounts alone, or even to the provisions ordered from the
buttery, as distinct from the “commons” supplied from the kitchen; but
this latter use is disavowed by others, ... but whether the BATTELS
were originally the provisions themselves, or the sums due on account
of them, must at present be left undecided.

*Baulk*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A false report. This is SPORTED
(_q.v._), not spread.

*Beak*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A master. FORM-BEAK = Form-master.

*Beanfielder*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A long hit: at
cricket.

*Bearded Cad*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A porter employed by the
College to convey luggage from the railway station to the
school. [The term originated in an extremely hirsute
individual, who, at one time, acted in the capacity.]

*Beards!* _intj._ (The Leys: obsolete).—An ejaculation of
surprise.

*Beast*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A student who, having left
school, goes up to Cambridge to study before entering the
university. [Because (so it is stated) he is neither man
nor boy.]

*Bedmaker* (or *Bedder*) _subs._ 1. (Cambridge).—A charwoman; a
servant who makes beds and does other necessary domestic
duties for residents in College.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 6. Remember me most kindly to Mrs.
Bloggins. I shall never forget how good she was when we were at
Cambridge last term.... These BEDMAKERS are kind souls after all.

2. (Oxford).—BEDDER = a bedroom.

*Beef Row*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 247. The dinners themselves [_c._
1800-40] were fairly good, with the exception of the “boiled beef”
days, which were highly unpopular. The beef was probably good enough,
but it was cured with saltpetre, and the consequent redness was, in
the boys’ eyes, objectionable. Remonstrances had been made in vain;
and the result was something like a school rebellion, well remembered
as the BEEF ROW. By concerted arrangement, on one day the boys in
every hall rose from the table in a body, and left the masters and the
boiled beef in sole occupation. Butler was indignant; he came into
each of the halls after locking up, and demanded from the heads of the
school a public apology for the insult, giving them an hour for
consideration, and placing before them the alternative of immediate
dismissal. The boys held together, and, early the next morning the
whole of the Sixth Form, comprising no less than three who were to be
future heads of Colleges, were started by chaise or coach for their
respective homes. The rest of the boys declared themselves _en
revolte_; they would not go into school, and the masters walked about
the court alternately threatening and persuading. At last a gentleman
in the town, an old Shrewsbury boy, much respected, harangued the
rebels, and persuaded them to surrender. Some sort of concession seems
almost to have been made by a portion of the absent Sixth Form under
home influence, and the affair ended in the return of all the exiles.

*Beeswaxers*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Thick boots for football.
[Pronounced Bĕswaxers.]

*Behind*, _subs._ (Eton and Winchester).—A back at football.
At Eton SHORT BEHIND and LONG BEHIND: usually abbreviated
to “short” and “long.” At Winchester, SECOND BEHIND and
LAST BEHIND. These answer to the half-back and back of
Association football. At Winchester, in the Fifteens,
there is also a THIRD BEHIND.

UP BEHIND, _phr._ (The Leys).—Out of bounds: at back of
College.

*Behind one’s Side.* _See_ SIDE.

*Bejant*, _subs._ (Aberdeen).—A new student: one of the first or
lowest class. _See_ SEMI-BEJANTS, TERTIANS, and MAGISTRANDS.

*Belial*, _subs._ (Oxford).—Balliol College.

*Bells.* BELLS GO SINGLE, _phr._ (Winchester).—A single bell is
rung for five minutes before the hour at which chapel
commences. For College evening chapel three three’s are
rung, and then follows a “bell,” one for every man in
College—70. BELLS DOWN = _see_ quots.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 62. The
junior in chamber had a hard time of it; ... while endeavouring to get
through his multifarious duties, he had to keep a sharp ear on the
performance of the chapel bell, and to call out accordingly, “first
peal!” “second peal!” and BELLS DOWN!

1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, p. 256. At a quarter to six the peal again
rang out, and the cry of BELLS GO was sounded in shrill tones through
every chamber of College and Commoners.... After ten minutes the peal
changed, and only a single bell continued to ring. This was notified
by the cry BELLS GO SINGLE, and five minutes afterwards, by that of
“BELLS DOWN.”... Presently the head-master ... would descend from his
library: or the second master ... would appear at the archway near
Sixth Chamber, and the warning voice would be heard “Gabell,” or
“Williams through,” “Williams,” or “Ridding in.” Straightway there
would be a general rush, the college-boys darting across the
quadrangle in the rear of the Præfect of Chapel; while the Commoners
hurried in, keeping up a continuous stream from their more distant
quarters.

*Belly-hedge*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—An obstruction of
such a height that it can easily be cleared: of school
steeplechases. [That is, about belly high.]

*Belows*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ CAP (3).

*Bender*, _subs._ (common).—The bow-shaped segment of a kite.

1873. Dr. BLACKLEY, _Hay Fever_, p. 145. The first kite was six feet
in length by three feet in width, and was made of the usual form,
namely, with a central shaft or “standard,” and a semicircular top or
BENDER.

*Bene-book*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—_See_ quot.

1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, 131. Besides prizes, BENE-BOOKS are awarded
to the Sixth Forms on the following system: Every boy generally does
four classical exercises a week, viz., Greek and Latin prose, Greek
and Latin verse, and one mathematical exercise; these are marked,
according to their merit, B, b, sb, s, vs, m, M; that is to say, Big
bene, bene, satis bene, satis, vix satis, male, Big male.... A
BENE-BOOK (value 12s. 6d.) is earned by the winner of two BENES a week
throughout the quarter. There used to be a yet higher mark, _i.e._,
B†, or a WRITE-OUT, which counted four. A B† denoted that the
composition to which it was attached was worthy of being written out
in a book kept with a view to forming a new edition of “Sertum
Carthusianum.” There are many volumes of old WRITE-OUT books on the
shelves of the library, but for years no addition has been made to
them. The WRITE-OUT is quite obsolete.

*Bevers*, _subs._ (general).—An afternoon meal or refreshment;
a snack between meals. Whence (Winchester) BEVERS (or
BEVER-TIME) = an interval from 4.30 to 5 in afternoon
school, observed (says WRENCH) long after the distribution
of bread and beer had ceased on whole school-days. [_See_
BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER, i. 20; FORD, i. 392; FLORIO, in v.
_Merénda_; COOPER, in v. _Antecænium_; _Stanihurst’s
Descr. of Ireland_, p. 18; _Nomenclator_, p. 79; Sir JOHN
OLDCASTLE, p. 42; HOWELL, sect. 43; MIDDLETON’S _Works_,
iv. 427, v. 141.]

1580. _Lingua_ [DODSLEY, _Old Plays_ (REID, 1825), v. 148].
_Appetitus._ Your gallants never sup, breakfast, nor BEVER without me.

1585. _Nomenclator_, p. 79. A middaies meale: an undermeale: a boire
or BEAVER: a refreshing betwixt meales.

1597. HARRISON, _Desc. of England_. Of old we had breakfastes in the
forenoone, BEUARAGES or nuntions after dinner, and thereto reare
suppers, generallie when it was time to go to rest, a toie brought
into England by hardie Canutus; but nowe these are very well past, and
each one, except some young hungrie stomach, that cannot fast till
dinner-time, contenteth him self with dinner and supper.

1598. FLORIO, _Worlde of Wordes_, s.v. Merenda, Plauto. Propriè olim
prandium dicebatur quod meridie daretur. Nonius cibum qui post
meridiem sumitur interpretatur. ἑσπέρισμα. Le reciner.

1604. MARLOWE, _Dr. Faustus_. Thirty meals a day and ten BEVERS.

1607. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER, _Woman Hater_, i. 3. He is none of those
same ordinary eaters, that will devour three breakfasts, and as many
dinners, without any prejudice to their BEVERS, drinkings, or suppers.

1611. COTGRAVE, _Dict._, s.v. BEVER. An afternoon’s nuncheon.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 83. In
summer time we were let out of afternoon school for a short time about
4 P.M., when there was a slight refection of bread and cheese laid out
in Hall. It was called BEEVER-TIME, and the pieces of bread BEEVERS.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BEVER. An intermediate
refreshment between breakfast and dinner. The term is now applied to
the afternoon snack of harvest-men and other labourers, and perhaps
may be explained more correctly as any refreshment taken between the
regular meals. Sometimes refreshments of drink, or drinkings, were
called BEVERS; but potations were not BEVERS, as Mr. Dyce asserts.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Winchester], p. 23. School opened
again at two o’clock; at half-past three came an interval called
BEVER-TIME, when the boys had again bread and beer allowed them. At
five the school was dismissed, and the whole resident society—warden,
fellows, masters, and scholars—went in procession round the cloisters
and the whole interior circuit of the college.

1884. M. MORRIS, in _English Illustrated Magazine_, Nov., p. 73. [At
Eton, we] came up from cricket in the summer afternoons for BEAVER.

*Bible-Clerk*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A College Prefect in full
power, appointed for one week. Formerly (with OSTIARIUS,
_q.v._) he kept order in school, and assisted at floggings.
He now reads lessons in Chapel, and takes round ROLLS
(_q.v._). He is absolved from going up to BOOKS (_q.v._)
during his term of office. The Prefect of HALL need not act
as BIBLE-CLERK unless he likes, and the Prefect of School
may choose any week he pleases; the rest take weeks in
rotation, in the order of their Chambers in College.

15 [?]. CHRIS. JOHNSON [WRENCH]. In Testamento Veteri caput alter in
Aulâ Clarâ voce legit, qui BIBLIOCLERICUS inde Dicitur; hebdomadam
propriis habet ille Camænsis.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 103.
Order was kept during school hours by the BIBLE-CLERK and Ostiarius,
two of the Præfects, who held these offices in rotation—the former
lasting for a week, the latter for one day only. They paraded School
armed with sticks, and brought up to the Head and Second Masters (who
alone had the power of flogging) the names of the delinquents which
had been “ordered” for punishment; the names of the more heinous
offenders being confided to the BIBLE-CLERK, the others to the
Ostiarius.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BIBLE. A great book. (_A.-N._)
The term was constantly used without any reference to the Scriptures.
_Ibid._, s.v. BIBLE-CLERKSHIP. A very ancient scholarship in the
Universities, so called because the student who was promoted to that
office was enjoined to read the Bible at meal-times.

1864. _Blackwood’s Magazine_, XCV., p. 73. [At dinner] portions of
beef were served out to the boys ... the BIBLE-CLERK meanwhile reading
a chapter from the Old Testament. _Ibid._, p. 87. An hour ... is
expected to be employed in working under the superintendence of the
BIBLE-CLERK, as the Præfect in daily “course” is termed, who is
responsible for a decent amount of order and silence at these hours.

1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, p. 59. There appears to have been no
regular BIBLE-CLERK.... From this it has been inferred that the
institution of these offices must have been subsequent, and (some
think) long subsequent, to the Founder’s time.

*Bibler.* _See_ BIBLING.

*Bibling* (or *Bibler*), _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A
flogging of six strokes. Hence BIBLING-ROD = the instrument
used in BIBLING: it consisted of a handle with four apple
twigs in the end twisted together. It was first used by
Warden Baker in 1454, and is represented in the _Aut Disce_.
BIBLING UNDER NAIL = a BIBLING administered for very heinous
offences after an offender had stood under NAIL (_q.v._).

1864. _Blackwood’s Magazine_, XCV., p. 79. Underneath is the place of
execution, where delinquents are BIBLED. _Ibid._, p. 72. It need
hardly be said that it [the rod] is applied in the ordinary fashion:
six cuts forming what is technically called a BIBLING—on which
occasions the Bible-Clerk introduces the victim; four being the sum of
a less terrible operation called a “scrubbing.”

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 37. Underneath is the place of
execution, where delinquents are BIBLED; and near it is a socket for a
candle-sconce, known as the “nail,” under which any boy who has been
detected in any disgraceful fault—lying, &c.—is placed as in a sort of
pillory to await his punishment; a piece of ancient discipline for
which happily there is seldom occasion.

*Bicker*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A fray between the
boys of the school and the town boys, or KEELIES (_q.v._);
generally waged with the aid of stones (_cf._ GEORGE
BORROW’S _Lavengro_, ch. vii.; also SCOTT, _Redgauntlet_,
ch. i.). In the present Rector’s boyhood these school fights
were often waged with “Cowts,” made of a rope twisted firmly
into a thick end, with about four feet attached with which
to swing it.

... _Cursor Mundi_, MS. Coll. Trin. Cantab., f. 87. And for she loveth
me out of BIKER, Of my love she may be siker.

1581. RICHE, _Farewell to Militarie Profession_. My captaine, feelyng
suche a BICKERYNG within himself, the like whereof he had never
indured upon the sea, was like to bee taken prisoner aboard his owne
shippe.

1585. _Nomenclator._ Naturæ et morbi conflictus, Aurel. κρίσις. The
conflict or BICKERMENT of nature and sicknesse.

1823. NARES, _Glossary_, s.v. BICKERING and BICKERMENT. Skirmishing.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BICKER. To fight; to quarrel;
to act with hostility. _Ibid._, BICKERMENT. Conflict. _Ibid._, s.v.
BIKERE. To skirmish; to fight; to quarrel. Also a substantive, a
quarrel. (_A.-S._) _Cf._ _Leg. Wom._, 2650; _Piers Ploughman_, p. 429;
MINOT’S _Poems_, p. 51; _Arthour and Merlin_, p. 206.

*Biddy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A bath in College. [Fr. _bidet_.]

*Big*, _adj._ (Harrow).—Upwards of sixteen years of age; as
“only able to go in for BIG sports.” _See_ SMALL.

*Big-game*, _subs._ (Harrow: obsolete).—The chief football game.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 312. There is now a spacious
piece of ground kept for the especial purpose, where as many as six
separate games can be played at once, besides four smaller grounds
belonging to different houses. The BIG-GAME, in which only the _élite_
of the school players take part, is managed by the monitors under very
stringent regulations. [Now called Sixth Form game.—ED.]

*Big-school*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—The room in which
the school assembles for prayers, or on any occasion when it
is addressed as a whole by the Head Master. The room is also
used for teaching, though not so entirely so as twenty-five
years ago.

*Big-side*, _subs._ (Rugby and elsewhere).—The combination of
all the bigger fellows in the school in one and the same
game or run. Also the ground specially used for the game so
denominated. Hence BIG-SIDE run = a paper-chase, in which
picked representatives of all Houses take part, as opposed
to a House run. _See_ LITTLE-SIDE.

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, vii. “Well, I’m going to have
a try,” said Tadpole; “it’s the last run of the half, and if a fellow
gets in at the end, BIG-SIDE stands ale and bread and cheese and a
bowl of punch; and the Cock’s such a famous place for ale.”

*Bill*, _subs._ 1. (Eton).—A list of the boys who go to the Head
Master at 12 o’clock; also of those who get off ABSENCE
(_q.v._): _e.g._ an eleven playing in a match are thus
exempt. _See_ Appendix.

c. 1850. BRODRICK, _Memories and Impressions_. ... It is credibly
reported of Mr. Cookesley—who, in spite of a tendency to buffoonery,
was an inspiring teacher—that he addressed a remarkably stupid boy in
the following terms: “I tell you what it is, sir, if you ever show me
up a copy of your own verses again, I’ll put you in the BILL” (an
Etonian euphemism for a capital punishment). “Why, a great strong
fellow like you can have no difficulty in getting a decent copy of
verses written for him, and if you ever again bring me one of your own
concoction I’ll have you flogged.”

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 100. Bagshawe even went so far
as to rebuke one of the monitors for rising in Mr. James’ presence;
and when told that it was by Mr. Busby’s order, desired him to write
that down on his BILL; a proceeding equivalent, as Mr. Busby declared,
and as Westminster and Eton men will perhaps agree, to ordering the
head-master up for corporal punishment.

1876. BRINSLEY RICHARDS, _Seven Years at Eton_. Some of the small boys
whom this delightful youth tempted to ape his habits, had often
occasion to rue it when they staggered back to College giddy and sick,
carrying with them a perfume which told its tale to their tutors, and
caused them to be put in the BILL.

2. (Harrow).—The “call-over” of the whole school on
half-holidays; at 4 P.M. in summer, at 4.15 P.M. in other
terms. Whence BILL-BOOK = the book—the list of the school in
order of forms—from which BILL is called; BILL-ORDER = the
order of the school as in the BILL-BOOK; BILL-MONITOR = a
member of the “First Fourth” who is in charge of the paper
on which monitors sign their names during BILL. Also used at
Westminster.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 284. His pupils were chiefly
boys of rank, and during Thackeray’s time had been exempted from
appearing at BILLS. Sumner stopped this privilege, to the great
disgust of Dr. Glasse and some of his aristocratic friends. Earl
Radnor even threatened to “ruin the school” if Sumner refused to give
way; but the new head-master was firm. Lord Dartmoor, on the other
hand, supported him, and removed his sons into his House from
Glasse’s, who was beaten in the struggle, and left Harrow. _Ibid._,
293. At the time of his appointment he was only twenty-six, but his
reputation as a scholar stood very high. It is enough to say that
under his rule Harrow has increased in numbers, and certainly not lost
in reputation. The last BILL-BOOK contains 492 names.

1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 446. The uniformity of daily life
at Harrow was interrupted by a pleasant interlude not long ago. The
Chinese Ambassador paid a visit to the school. His Excellency made an
inspection of the school buildings, and was finally cheered at BILL.

*Bill-brighter*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A small fagot used for
lighting coal fires in kitchen. [From a servant, Bill
Bright, who was living in 1830.]

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 89. The
Kitchen is a spacious apartment with a vaulted roof, occupying the
entire height of the building on the west side of the quadrangle, and
at least half its length; here we might see a few Fags endeavouring to
coax Jem Sims, John Coward, or Mother Mariner (the cooks) for an extra
supply of mashed potatoes, till Kitchen is cleared by the exasperated
Manciple, who has just detected a delinquent in the act of secreting
under his gown an armful of the small faggots used for lighting the
Kitchen fires (called BILL BRIGHTERS), an opportunity for purloining
which was never allowed to slip by a Junior of a properly regulated
mind.

*Bim* (or *Bimb*), _verb_ (Tonbridge).—To cane. Hence BIMB-STICK
= a cane.