Chapter X: Part 10

*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”

End of Project Gutenberg's The Public School Word-book, by John S. Farmer