Chapter VII: Part 7

*Poet’s-walk*, _subs._ (Eton).—A river-walk in the
playing-fields. POET’S-WALK = the tea those playing in Upper
Club have on half-holidays by the river.

*Pog*, _subs._ (Felsted).—The face. _See_ Appendix.

1895. _Felstedian_, April, p. 44. We won the game by one goal, three
rouges—points to its origin. “POG” may have meant a “melancholy” face
originally, and in time come to denote any Felstedian’s visage, grave
or gay.

1897. _Felstedian_, May, p. 87. I ... prayed that he wasn’t going to
drag in “Cheese” or “POG,” or any similar atrocities.

*Pojam*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A poem: set as an exercise.

*Poker*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A BEDEL (_q.v._) carrying a silver
mace before the Vice-Chancellor.

1841. _Rime of the New-Made Baccalere._ Around, around, all, all
around, On seats with velvet lined, Sat Heads of Houses in a row, And
Deans and College Dons below, With a POKER or two behind.

1853. BRADLEY (“Cuthbert Bede”), _Verdant Green_, vii. A sort of young
procession—the Vice-Chancellor, with his and Yeoman-bedels. The silver
maces carried by the latter gentlemen, made them by far the most showy
part of the procession.... _Ibid._ Tom is the bell that you hear at
nine each night; the Vice has to see that he is in proper condition,
and, as you have seen, goes out with his POKERS for that purpose.

1865. _Cornhill Mag._, Feb., 225. The heads of houses and university
officers attend [St. Mary’s, Oxford] in their robes, and form a
stately procession to and from the church. The Vice-Chancellor is
escorted by his mace-bearers, familiarly called POKERS, to and from
his residence.

*Poll*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The ordinary examination for
the B.A. degree, as distinguished from the “Honours”
examination. Also a student who takes the “Pass” degree
without “Honours.” Hence POLL-DEGREE and POLL-MAN. TO GO
OUT IN THE POLL = to take an ordinary degree.

1855. BRISTED, _Eng. Univ._, 62. Several declared that they would GO
OUT IN THE POLL.

1884. JAS. PAYN, in _Cornhill_, April, 370. I took my degree,
however—a first-class POLL; which my good folks at home believed to be
an honourable distinction.

1889. _Academy_, Mar. 2. It is related of some Cambridge POLL-MAN that
he was once so ill-advised as to desert a private tutor.

_Verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To maltreat; to make impure.
[That is, “pollute.”]

*Ponto*, _subs._ (general).—New bread kneaded into a ball.

1900. _St. James’s Gazette_, Mar. 15, “Arnoldiana.” He [Matthew
Arnold] was placed at the end of the great school, and, amid howls and
jeers, pelted with a rain of PONTOS for some time. The PONTO, though a
soft missile, being but the inside of a new roll, was probably
sufficient in quantity.

*Pony*, _subs._ (general).—A translation; a CRIB (_q.v._)—any
adventitious aid to study. Also as _verb_.

1832. _Tour through College_, 30. Their lexicons, PONIES, and
textbooks were strewed round their lamps on the table.

1856. HALL, _College Words_, s.v. PONY. So called, it may be, from the
fleetness and ease with which a skilful rider is enabled to pass over
places which to a common plodder may present obstacles.

*Poon*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To prop up a piece of furniture
with a wedge under the leg.—WRENCH.

*Pop*, _subs._ (Eton).—A club at Eton. Chiefly confined to
OPPIDANS (_q.v._), though COLLEGERS (_q.v._) are sometimes
elected.

1865. _Etoniana_, 207. “The Eton Society,” for reading and debates,
has had a longer and more successful existence than the magazines. It
is better known by its sobriquet of “POP,” supposed to be a
contraction of Popina, the rooms where it was held for many years
having been over a cookshop or confectioner’s. It was first instituted
in 1811, when Charles Fox Townshend (who was the elder brother of the
late Marquess, and died young) was the first president, and it has
gone on ever since with considerable popularity and success. The
preparation of the speeches leads to a certain amount of historical
reading for the purpose; but the chief attraction of “POP” lies in its
being a sort of social club, where papers and reviews are taken in;
and, as the numbers are strictly limited (originally twenty-two, since
increased to twenty-eight), to be elected into the society gives a boy
a certain degree of prestige in the school. In summer the debates are
almost nominal, out-door attractions being too strong; but in winter
they sometimes last for several hours, and are kept up with great
spirit. The members are almost exclusively oppidans, this being one of
the points where the jealousy between them and the collegers comes out
very distinctly. A few of the latter are admitted, but only when they
have some special claim to popularity.

*Portionist.* _See_ Postmaster.

*Poser*, _subs._ (Winchester and Eton).—An examiner: formerly a
bishop’s examining chaplain—at Eton for King’s College, and
at Winchester for New College Scholarships and Exhibitions.
Also APPOSER, OPPOSER, and OPPOSITOR. [_Posen_ = to
examine.—_Prompt. Parv._, 144.]

1574. QUEEN ELIZABETH, _Endorsement on Recommendation of Candidates
for College Election_, May 8. To our trustie and welbeloved the
wardens of the new Colledges in Oxford and nere Winchester and other
of them and to the OPPOSITORS and others having interest in the
election of Scollers.

1603. BACON, _Discourse_ [1887]. Let his questions not be troublesome,
for that is fit for a POSER.

1662. FULLER, _Worthies_, NORFOLK, ii. 462. The University [Cambridge]
... appointed Doctor Cranmer ... to be POSER-GENERAL of all Candidates
in Divinity.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 61. The election-day, both for
Winchester and New College, is on the Tuesday next after the 7th of
July (St. Thomas Beckett), when the warden of New College, Oxford,
with two of his fellows, called the POSERS (or at one time
supervisors), arrive at the college, where they are received with a
Latin oration “ad portas” by the senior scholar.

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

1855. BRISTED, _Eng. Univ._, 74. Fifty marks will prevent one from
being POSTED, but there are always two or three too stupid as well as
idle to save their POST. These drones are POSTED separately, as “not
worthy to be classed,” and privately slanged afterwards by the master
and seniors. Should a man be POSTED twice in succession, he is
generally recommended to try the air of some small college, or devote
his energies to some other walk of life.

_Verb._ 1. (University).—To reject: as in an examination; to
PLUCK (_q.v._); TO PLOUGH (_q.v._).

2. (Eton).—To put down for doing badly in COLLECTIONS
(_q.v._), the penalty being either a holiday-PŒNA (_q.v._),
or a SWISHING (_q.v._).

3. (University).—To put up a man’s name as not having paid
for food supplied by the College: supplies are then stopped
until the account is settled.

*Postmaster*, _subs._ (Oxford).—An Exhibitioner of Merton
College. Also PORTIONIST (_q.v._).

1853. BRADLEY (“Cuthbert Bede”), _Verdant Green_, vii. Each college
does its own postal department; and at Merton there are fourteen
POSTMASTERS, for they get no end of letters there. “Oh, yes! I
remember Mr. Larkyns ... telling us that the son of one of his old
friends had been a POSTMASTER of Merton; but I fancied that he had
said it had something to do with a scholarship.” “Ah, you see, it’s a
long while since the governor was here, and his memory fails him,”
remarked Mr. Charles Larkyns, very unfilially.

1886. _Oxford Guide_ [S. J. & C.]. The POSTMASTERS anciently performed
the duties of choristers, and their payment for this duty was six
shillings and fourpence per annum.

*Post-mortem*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The examination after
failure.

1844. _Puck_, 13. And now tho’ I’ve passed the POST-MORTEM at last.

*Post-past*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—Dessert: at St.
Omers.

1882. _Stonyhurst Mag._, i. 112. The dessert called POST-PAST was
always the best sort of apples or pears, and biscuits, or else
walnuts.

*Post te*, _phr._ (Charterhouse).—The most useful (says TOD) of
all the old Charterhouse expressions. For example, POST TE
MATH. EX. = “Will you have the kindness to permit me to
glance over your mathematical exercise?” Or one can give a
POST TE of anything; _e.g._ to give a friend a POST TE of a
book is to give him the right of its perusal when you have
done with it. The word is also used in a subtle and
sarcastic sense; _e.g._ POST TE hat or POST TE chum
signifies disapproval of the hat or friend of which or whom
the remark was made.

*Pot*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A canal lock. Whence POT-CAD = a
workman at the saw-mills; POT-GATES = lock-gates; POT-HOUSER
= a jump into the canal from the roof of a house called
POT-HOUSE.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 226. POT—A
canal lock; the one just under Hills was generally meant when the word
was used.

*Pot-house* (The), _subs._ (Cambridge).—St. Peter’s College:
formerly Peterhouse.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 85. He asked me what it was.... I
hadn’t a notion, so I made a shot and said “POT-HOUSE.” He said, “I
suppose you mean St. Peter’s College.”

*Potted-fug*, _subs._ (Rugby).—Potted-meat.

*Præfect.* _See_ PREFECT.

*Præpositor*, _subs._ (Sherborne: obsolete).—A School PRÆFECT
(_q.v._): seventeenth century.

*Præpostor*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A PRÆFECT (_q.v._).

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, v. The master mounted into
the high desk by the door, and one of the PRÆPOSTORS of the week stood
by him on the steps, the other three marching up and down the middle
of the school with their canes, calling out “Silence, silence!”...
Then the PRÆPOSTOR who stands by the master calls out the names,
beginning with the sixth form; and as he calls, each boy answers
“here” to his name, and walks out.

*Prayer-book* (Harrow).—_See_ Upper School.

*Precipice.* _See_ FRESH-HERRING.

*Prefect*, _subs._ (general).—A superior or senior member of a
school superintending in or out of school hours according to
office and school: as in studies, preparation, games, &c.
_See_ quots., PRÆPOSITOR, PRÆPOSTOR, &c.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 226.
PRÆFECTS—The eighteen Senior boys in College, and the twelve senior in
Commoners. The ten senior of those in College were said to be in “Full
power,” and took the office of Bible-Clerk in rotation; they all had
the power of fagging the Juniors, but those not in full power were
supposed not to have the right of fagging on the School side of
Seventh Chamber Passage; practically, however, they always did. One of
the Senior PRÆFECTS was called PRÆFECT of Hall, and was responsible in
a great measure for the conduct of the boys out of school. His duties
and privileges were numerous. There was also a “PRÆFECT of Tub,” who
was supposed to see that the dinner was properly distributed; a
“PRÆFECT of School,” who had the care of that building; and two
“PRÆFECTS of Chapel,” who during alternate weeks called names in
Chapel. There were fees attached to all these offices; and all the
PRÆFECTS had a certain number of boys allotted to them as Pupils, each
of whom paid one guinea each half.

1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 75. Here let me observe that only the
PRÆFECTS have separate basins to wash in; the juniors use the two
stone conduits.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. PRÆFECTS.... The number of
Præfects was eighteen in College, three to each Chamber ... in
Commoners first eight, with four senior-inferiors, who were like
Præfects in half-power, and later twelve.... The word PRÆPOSTOR was
also used concurrently, it would appear, till the last century, when
it disappeared, except in the formula demanding a remedy, in which it
survives. What the relations of the two words were to each other it is
not easy to determine.... Præpostor occurs in the College Register,
and is still used in asking for Remedies. Both seem, therefore, to be
official words. At Eton Præpostor survives, though they are stated to
have begun with officers bearing other titles. They have also retained
_major_, _minor_, _minimus_, which we have discarded for _senior_,
_secundus_, _junior_. The “Præfect of Tub”—“qui nomen ducit ab
olla”—who presided over meals, and whose perquisites are said to have
been most lucrative—amounting to the value of £80 per annum—and the
“PRÆFECT of Cloisters” are obsolete offices.

1900. _MS. Notes_ (Rev. A. GOODIER, Stonyhurst). PRÆFECTS ... These
are four in number.

*Prep*, _subs._ 1. (Dulwich).—Evening preparation. _Cf._ BANCO,
TOY-TIME, &c.

2. (Felsted).—A place of preparation.

1890. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 2. Johnson _ma_ happened to be in PREP in
good time, so he managed to get in a moment’s conversation with Jones.

*Preparatory*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The preparatory Form at
Hodder: originally ABECEDARII.

*Pricking Æger.* _See_ ÆGER.

*Private-business*, _subs._ (Eton).—Extra work with the tutor.

*Privee*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A private conversation. _See_
BOULE.

*Privs*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Special privileges in the House:
granted to either Sixth Form or THREE-YEARERS (_q.v._).
These take different forms in different houses. TO FIND
(_q.v._) and to TOLLY-UP are PRIVS: so is the right to wear
a coat that is not regulation school dress after LOCK-UP
(_q.v._).

*Pro*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A proproctor, or second in command in
the proctorial police. The two proctors appoint a certain
number of proproctors each.

1823. _Hints for Oxford_, 10. They (Freshmen) cap the PRO’S too in the
street, speak to people without being introduced, and are guilty of a
thousand _gaucheries_.

1869. W. BRADWOOD, _The O.V.H._, x. The proctor (more strictly a PRO)
backed out of the room with wholesale apologies.

*Proctorized*, _adj._ and _adv._ (University).—Stopped by a
proctor and told to call on him.

1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_, i. 12. So gets PROCTORIZED in his
old age.

1885. _Punch_, May 16, p. 233. PROCTORISED again last night! Coming
home from jolly wine-party at John’s.

*Progger*, _subs._ (University).—A proctor.

1898. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Dec., p. 149, “Life at Oxford.” But a
Proctor, or—by the common practice—“PROGGER,” soon teaches the unwary
that the wisest course is to wear it at the stated times, however
objectionable it may be.

*Progging*, _subs._ (University).—_See_ PROCTORIZED.

1898. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Dec., p. 149, “Life at Oxford.” A “PROGGING”
may form part of another article. At present I have passed all due
bounds.

*Proggins*, _subs._ (University).—A proctor.

*Promo*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Promotion.

*Prompter*, _subs._ (Merchant Taylors’).—A member of the Second
Form.

*Proof*, _subs._ (Oxford).—The best ale at Magdalen College.

*Pros*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A W.C.

*Prose*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A lecture. Also as _verb_.

*Prose-task*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A piece of Latin prose
composition, which all the boys had to do once a
week.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Provincial’s-day.* _See_ DAY.

*Pruff*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Sturdy; insensible to pain.

1610. SHAKSPEARE, _Cor._, i. 4. Now put your shields before your
hearts, and fight With hearts more PROOF than shields.

1881. PASCOE, _Public Schools_.... But deprive a Wykehamist of words
in constant use, such as “quill,” meaning to curry favour with; PRUFF,
signifying sturdy, or proof against pain; “spree,” upstart, impudent;
“cud,” pretty, and many more, and his vocabulary becomes limited.

*Public-supping*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quots.

1870. _The Blue_, Mar. It is, we believe, certain that T.R.H. the
Prince and Princess Teck will grace one of the Lent PUBLIC SUPPERS
with their distinguished presence.

1900. _Daily Telegraph_, Mar. 16, “London Day by Day.” That quaint and
historic old custom known as the “public supping” of the children was
celebrated last evening at Christ’s Hospital, Newgate Street, in the
presence of the Lord Mayor, Alderman Vaughan Morgan (treasurer of the
school), and other civic and educational dignitaries.

1900. _Pall Mall Gazette_, 20th Mar., 3. 2, “A Lenten Supper.”
Attention is directed to this festival this year for two reasons—one,
that it is a very ancient custom; the other, that this is nearly the
last year in which it will be held; for it is clear that when the
school has changed its site, its dress, and certain of its officers
and masters, it will not care to carry on this quaint old ceremony.
And indeed, were the Hospital to hold such revelry at Horsham there
would be few to come as guests, if the name of guest can be assigned
to one who plays a part so passive as that of seeing other people
eat.... The scene of the supping is the Great Hall.... Six hundred
boys and more appear as nothing; they are all seated.... At each table
sits a matron, according to their wards (of which there are fifteen),
and attached to each ward is a matron, who used to be called nurse.
Beside the tables are the monitors, responsible for order—biggish
boys—not “Grecians,” for Grecians do not appear at the Lent suppers,
except to read or pray or sing, having already eaten in their wards.
The first performance, probably, is to light the candles on the
tables; each ward has four candles, and all are lighted at almost the
same moment. The hall is lighted from the roof by gas, so the
candlesticks are little more than ornaments. They are of oak, old, and
well-weighted at the base, and can count their age by centuries....
Their quaintness is concealed by artificial flowers, which the boys
pay for and the matrons arrange, the result more suggestive of
suburban bonnets than antiquity and quaintness. Ask a boy Why? he will
probably reply that “it always has been done.” Change has come; it
used to be held on Sundays during Lent instead of Thursday as to-day,
and up to absolutely recent years there were six suppers instead of
four. These festivals interfere somewhat with school work, and those
who are officially compelled to attend find sameness, even in a public
supper, in the course of thirty years or so. As the clock strikes
seven there is a rap, the boys stand up, the organ bursts into “God
save the Queen,” and up the hall marches the Lord Mayor, preceded by
the chief beadle of the Hospital, clad in gorgeous raiment and a mace
suggestive of a fish-slice. Behind comes the treasurer of the
Hospital, another alderman, and various governors, each bearing a
green stick to mark his office. These sit in reserved seats at the far
end of the hall, the Lord Mayor in _the_ chair, while on his right
hand by the wall are masters and on his left some “officers.” The
ceremony—a strange mixture of a religious service, a meal, and a
feudal relic—begun with the reading of a passage from the Sermon on
the Mount by a Grecian standing in a pulpit, whence he proceeded to
read special prayers written for the school by Bishop Compton, ending
with the Lord’s Prayer, after which a hymn and “grace” and then the
supper, during which the Lord Mayor, with a select few, made the grand
tour of the hall. Such a supper was soon over, and it was not long
before the boys had gathered up the plates and bowls and cloths and
knives, and then came grace and an anthem well sung by a well-trained
choir. This was followed by the feudal feature in the evening: the
whole school, with the exception of the Grecians, “bows round,” i.e.
the boys walk up two and two, marshalled by two beadles, who stand
near, and drawing near the chair, then bow the head in reverence to an
Authority. Most boys have a “trade,” and in this procession each one
carries a symbol of that “trade.” The matron’s special boy carries a
bonnet-candle in each hand, the knife-boy carries his knife-basket,
and the cloth-boy takes his cloth neatly rolled beneath his wing,
while, last of all, the bread-boy hoists the tall bread-basket
shoulder-high and “bows round” with it, never failing to raise a laugh
as well as a basket. When all have bowed, the boy-marshalling beadles
bow also, and the revels are ended. It is believed that the original
purpose of these suppers was to rouse interest in the outside public
and possibly raise money from their pockets; at all events, collection
boxes used to be placed about the hall on those occasions.

*Puddex.* _See_ DEX.

*Puke*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To vomit. [A survival.]

*Puker*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—A good-for-nothing.

*Pulling-out*, _subs._ (Charterhouse: obsolete).—PULLING-OUT
took place on Good Fridays. A line was marked from a corner
of green to cloisters. On one side of this line stood the
first and second forms, _i.e._ the Uppers, on the other side
of it the Unders. The Unders had the right of calling on any
unpopular Upper to run the gauntlet between two rows of
Unders from cloister doors to a point near the chapel. They
armed themselves with implements of all kinds, such as
sticks, or stones fastened into stockings, with which to
inflict punishment upon the Uppers. The latter naturally
resisted; hence there were fierce fights and dangerous
rushes. During the PULLING-OUT of 1824, a little fellow
called Howard, a younger son of the Earl of Suffolk, was
entangled in one of these rushes, dragged along the ground
for some distance, with a mass of boys upon him, and
received injuries from which he died soon after. This was
the end of PULLING-OUT, but the custom was as old as the
school.—MOZLEY. Also CALLING-OUT.

*Pulpiteers*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

1891. WRENCH, _Word-Book_, s.v. _Pulpiteers_. An arrangement during
Cloister-time of Sixth Book and Senior Part V. going up to books
together.... Middle and Junior Part taken together were called
Cloisters.

*Pun*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Punishment. Also as _verb_. Hence
PUN-PAPER = specially ruled paper for PUNS and impositions.

TO PUN OUT, _verb. phr._ (Christ’s Hospital).—To inform
against. _Ex._ “I’ll PUN OUT”; “I’ll PUN you OUT.”
Exclusively a London term: at Hertford the word is simply TO
PUN, or TO PUN OF.

*Punny*, _subs._ (Manchester Grammar).—Punishment School or
Drill: also known as P.S. and P.D.: both cause detention for
three-quarters of an hour after school.

*Punt*, _verb_ (Rugby).—To kick the ball (at football) before it
touches the ground.

*Punt-about*, _subs._ (Rugby).—The practice-ball: at football.
Also a practice game.

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, I. v. He hadn’t long to
wonder, however, for next minute East cried out, “Hurra! here’s the
PUNT-ABOUT,—come along and try your hand at a kick.” The PUNT-ABOUT is
the practice-ball, which is just brought out and kicked about anyhow
from one boy to another before callings-over and dinner, and at other
odd times.

*Puny*, _subs._ (old Oxford).—A Freshman: also a student at the
Inns of Court.

15 [?]. _Christmas Prince at St. John’s College_, i. Others to make
sporte withall, of this last sorte were they whom they call freshmenn,
PUNIES of the first yeare.

15 [?]. _Ulysses upon Ajax_, B. 8. A very worme of wit, a PUNEY of
Oxford, shall make you more hatefull than Battalus the hungrye fidler.

1593. NASHE, _Christ’s Teares_ [WORKS (_Grosart_), iv. 228]. Sharing
halfe with the Baudes their Hostesses, and laughing at the PUNIES they
have lurched [robbed].

1634. MARSTON, in _Lectores_, &c. [NARES]. Shall each odd PUISNE of
the lawyer’s inne, Each barmy-froth, that last day did beginne, To
read his little, or his nere a whit.

_c._ 1640 [SHIRLEY], _Captain Underwit_ [BULLEN, _Old Plays_, ii.
340]. Preach to the PUISNES of the Inne sobrietie. [PUISNE (_i.e._
PUNY) was the term applied to students at the Inns of Court; also to
Freshmen at Oxford.—BULLEN.]

1847. HALLIWELL, _Arch. and Prov. Words_, s.v. PUNIES. Freshmen at
Oxford were called PUNIES for the first year.

*Pupe*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A pupil-room. [ROOM = class or form:
each tutor is assigned a ROOM, for the members of which he
is generally responsible, and for whom he signs orders.]

*Puseum* (The), _subs._ (Oxford).—The Pusey House in St. Giles’s
Street.

*Put.* TO BE PUT ON, _verb. phr._ (Dulwich).—To be told to
construe.

*Pux*, _verb_ (Royal High School, Edin.).—To punish with the
tawse: _e.g._ “Did you get PUXED?”

*Quad* (or *Quod*), _subs._ (general).—A quadrangle.

1840. _Collegian’s Guide_, 144. His mother ... had been seen crossing
the QUAD in tears.

1884. _Daily News_, Oct. 14, p. 5, col. 1. His undignified nickname is
carved in the turf of the college QUAD.

_Verb_ (Rugby).—To promenade round Cloisters at calling over
before a football-match.

*Quarter* (The), _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The quarter bell.

*Quarter-marks*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The aggregate of marks for
work during the term, as opposed to marks gained in TRIALS
(_q.v._).

*Quarter of Paper*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester).—A quarter of a
sheet of foolscap, on which the Prose and Verse Tasks were
always written.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840). _Cf._ VESSEL. Also
used at Westminster.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 165. Besides this, he had to
carry with him into school a portfolio containing a sufficiency of
QUARTERNS of paper. All or any of these articles he was supposed to
supply, upon requisition, to any boy of the “upper election.”

*Quill*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To curry favour; to flatter: _see_
QUILSTER. Hence (latterly) TO BE QUILLED = to be pleased.
_Cf._ QUILLER = a parasite.

*Quiller*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A parasite.

*Quilster*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A toady; a lickspittle.

*Quod*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ D. (Appendix).

*Rabbiter*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A blow, delivered by the side
of the hand, on the back of the neck: as in killing a
rabbit.

*Rabbit-Skin*, _subs._ (University).—The academical hood. Hence
TO GET ONE’S RABBIT-SKIN = to obtain the B.A. degree.
[Because trimmed with rabbit fur. Also CAT’S-SKIN.]

*Rack*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A DISPAR (_q.v._), or portion
consisting of a joint (or chop) from a neck or loin of
mutton. [_Rack_ (HALLIWELL) = the neck of mutton or pork;
also (JOHNSON) = a neck of mutton cut for the table.]

1594. LYLY, _Mother Bombie_, iii. 4. _Lu._ And me thought there came
in a leg of mutton. _Dro._ What, all grosse meat? a RACKE had beene
dainty.

1706. COLES, _Eng. Dict._, s.v. RACK.... Probably from _hracca_,
Saxon, the back of the head.

... MAY, _Accomplished Cook_, 57. Then again, put in the crag end of
the RACK OF MUTTON to make the broth good. _Ibid._, p. 25. Take two
joynts of mutton, RACK and loin.

*Rag*, _subs._ (University).—1. An undergraduate’s gown.

1899. _Answers_, 14th Jan., 1. 1. This matter of the RAG is hedged
about with many unwritten laws. One who has mastered these will never
go to breakfast in another man’s rooms in cap and gown.... Nor will he
wear the RAG in the theatre, which is strictly barred.

2. A jollification.

1900. _Daily Mail_, 10th Mar., 2. 4. There was keen excitement at
Cambridge yesterday when the magistrates proceeded to deal with the
last two prosecutions of students arising out of the notorious RAG in
celebration of the relief of Ladysmith.

*Ragged-soph.* _See_ SOPH.

*Ramrod* (or *Raymonder*), _subs._ (Winchester).—A ball bowled
all along the ground.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Range*, _verb_ (The Leys).—To play football in the small walled
playground.

*Rattle*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The hour of rising: _e.g._ “I
got up at the RATTLE.” [From the instrument by which the
boys are called.]

*Rawcliffe’s*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An old tuck-shop: recently
obsolete.

*Rawk.* _See_ RORKE.

*Reader*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1886), 228.
READER—An office in the gift of every Præfect in Senior FARDEL
(_q.v._), which excused the recipient from watching out at Cricket.
His business was to read out aloud the translation of any book his
Master was cramming for Election examination.

*Reading-shelf*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A shelf with a drawer
fixed inside the head of a boy’s bed, on which to place a
candle for nocturnal studies.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Recker, The* (Harrow).—The town recreation-ground: here are
held the school sports.

*Rector.* 1. _See_ REGENT.

2. (Stonyhurst).—The Head-master. _See_ DAY.

*Regent*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—An
assistant master: the Head-master was called “Maister” or
“Principal Maister”; now “Rector.”

*Remedy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A holiday. _See_ WORK, quot.
1891.

1484. _Chapter Register of Southwell Minster._ Nota generaliter.
Ministri Ecclesiæ non vacant scolæ grammaticali. Magister
grammaticalis non attendit debitis horis doctrinæ suorum scolarium in
scola; et quam pluries indiscrete dat REMEDIUM suis scolaribus diebus
ferialibus, quod quasi ad tempus nichil addiscunt, expendendo bona
suorum parentum frustra et inaniter; et non locuntur latinum in scola
sed anglicum.

_d._ 1519. DEAN COLET, _Statutes of St. Paul’s School_. I will also
that they shall have no REMEDYES. Yf the Maister granteth any REMEDYES
he shall forfeit 40s., totiens quotiens, excepte the Kyng, or an
Archbishopp, or a Bishop present in his own person in the Scole desire
it.

1530. THOMAS MAGNUS, _Endowment Deed_, Newark Grammar School. Thomas
Magnus ordeyneth ... that the said maisters shall not be myche
inclyned nor gyven to graunt REMEDY for Recreacyon or Dispoorte to
their scolers unless it be ones in a wooke upon the Thuysday or
Thursday, or that further REMEDY be requyred by any honorable or
worshipfull Person or Personage, &c. &c.

1593. _Rites Durham Cathedral Monastic Church_ [Surtees Society].
There was ... a garding and a bowling allie ... for the Novices
sumetymes to recreate themselves when they had REMEDY of there master.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 49. In the
short half we had at least one “REMEDY,” and a half day every week,
and in summer two always; they were on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These
“REMEDIES” were a kind of mitigated whole holidays. We were supposed
to go into school for an hour or two in the morning and afternoon; but
as no Master was present, it didn’t come to much. This was called
“Books Chambers.” REMEDIES were not a matter of right, but were always
specially applied for by Præfect of Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The custom was for him to waylay the Doctor on his way to morning
chapel, and make the request, when, if granted, a gold ring was handed
to the applicant, on which was engraved, “_commendant rarior usus_.”
This ring was worn by the Præfect of Hall for the rest of the day, and
returned by him to the Doctor at the beginning of middle school on the
day following.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. REMEDY. A holiday in the
half, with Books-chambers or Toy-time. Originally there was always
one, and generally two REMEDIES in the week. Later every Tuesday in
Easter-time and Cloister-time was a REMEDY, the Thursday’s REMEDY
being often granted. Now Thursdays in Cloister-time only are REMEDIES
proper in middle-school hours; there are on these days Morning-lines,
and the afternoon is a half-holiday. Ascension-Day and the Queen’s
Accession are _holidays_: all red-letter Saints’-days are
Leave-out-days. _Remedium_ seems to have been the original word for
holiday: translated REMEDY.... The tradition of REMEDIES being granted
by _great persons_ survives in the custom of the Judges on Circuit
demanding a Half-REMEDY.

*Remi*, _subs._ 1. (Westminster).—A holiday. _Cf._ REMEDY.

2. (Winchester).—REMISSION (_q.v._).

*Remission* (or *Remi*), _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 229.
REMISSION—When owing to a Saint’s day having fallen on the day
previous to that on which a Verse or Prose Task, or Vulgus, was due,
the boys were excused from doing it, there was said to be REMISSION
from it.

*Rep*, _subs._ 1. (Harrow and King Edward’s, Birm.).—A
repetition.

1892. ANSTEY, _Voces Populi_, 65. It’s not in Selections from British
Poetry which we have to get up for REP.

2. (King Edward’s, Birm.).—The REPRESENTATIVE elected by the
Class to serve on the Committee of the School Club.

*Repeal Garden*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—One of the Higher Line
Gardens. [Used for Irish declamation at the beginning of the
century.] Obsolete.

*Responsions.* _See_ SMALLS.

*Resurrection*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A sort of eat-all feast,
consisting of a meeting to discuss the remnants of an
Academy DO (_q.v._) held on the previous day.

*Rhetoric*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The Sixth Form. [From
the chief work once studied in the form. _Cf._ _Regulæ
Professoris Rhetoricæ_ in the _Ratio Studiorum Societatis
Jesu_.]

*Rhetoric Good-day*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ GOOD-DAY.

*Rhetorician*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ RHETORIC.

*Rigger*, _subs._ (Durham).—A racing-boat.

*Rinder*, _subs._ (The Leys and Queen’s).—An outsider.

*Riot Act*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A body of school
rules, read over and commented upon by the Head Master on
the first Wednesday afternoon in term before the whole
school.

*Ripping*, _subs._ (Eton).—A ceremony incidental to the
departure of a Senior Colleger for King’s College,
Cambridge: when he has got KING’S (_q.v._) his gown has to
be stitched up that it may be RIPPED afterwards by the
Provost or his deputy.

*Robinites* (Charterhouse).—_See_ OUT-HOUSES.

*Rock*, _subs._ 1. (Derby).—The school bread. _See_ WASH.

2. (Winchester).—A medium-sized stone.

*Rod-maker*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The man who made the rods
used in BIBLING (_q.v._).

*Rogging*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Brook-fishing.

*Roke*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To stir: as a fire, a liquid, &c.

1375. _Percival_ [HALLIWELL]. Were they wighte, were they woke, Alle
that he tille stroke He made their bodies to ROKE.

1383. CHAUCER, _Canterbury Tales_. Yet in our ashen cold is fyr
i-REKE.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Arch. Words_, s.v. ROKE.... To shake; to roll ... to
stir liquids.

*Roker*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A ruler; a stick; a poker. _See_
ROKE. FLAT-ROKER = a flat ruler.

*Roll*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A list of names.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 230. The
ROLL _par excellence_ is the list of the boys who have passed their
examination for New College, and of those who are to come in to
Winchester. There is also a ROLL printed every November, which
contains the name of every one connected with the School, from the
Warden to the Choristers. The lists from which the Præfects of Hall
and Chapel called names; the papers on which the names of the
absentees on such occasions were written; the papers on which were
written the “Standing up”; the lists of the boys who had leave out on
a Saints’ day; the papers put on the Master’s desk when boys wished to
go out of school; those handed to the Master at the close of School by
the Bible-Clerk or Ostiarius with the names of the delinquents, and
many other similar papers, were all called ROLLS.

TO HAVE A ROLL ON, _verb. phr._ (Shrewsbury).—_See_ quot.

1877. PASCOE, _Every-day Life, &c._ Anything approaching swagger is
severely rebuked; there is no more objectionable quality than that
understood by the expression “He’s got such a horrid ROLL ON.”

TO ROLL IN, _verb. phr._ (Harrow: obs.).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 316. Another ancient barbarism
survived even long after Butler’s accession. There were in the
head-master’s house two public rooms for the use of his boarders—the
hall and the play-room. The latter was open to all, but the hall was
regarded as a sort of club-room, which no boy was allowed to enter,
except at dinner and supper time, until he had become a member by
being ROLLED-IN. Any one who desired the privilege of admission (and
none below the upper fifth were eligible), gave in his name to the
head-boy some days beforehand, in order that due preparations might be
made for the inauguration. Immediately a certain number of rolls
(_finds_ they were called—etymology unknown) were ordered at the
baker’s, and rebaked every morning until they were pretty nearly as
hard as pebbles. At nine o’clock on the morning fixed for the
ROLLING-IN, the members of the hall ranged themselves on the long
table which ran along one side of the room, each with his pile of
these rolls before him, and a fag to pick them up. The candidate
knelt, facing them, on a form close against the opposite wall, with
his head resting on his hands, so as to guard the face, while they
held, as well as they could, a plate on the top of the head by way of
helmet. Thus protected, the head itself formed a mark for the very
peculiar missiles which were ready to be aimed. When all was ready, a
time-keeper, watch in hand, gave the word—“Now!” when fast and
furiously—and very spitefully, if the boy was unpopular—the rolls were
showered upon the devoted head for the space of one minute, neither
more nor less. Such protection as the plate gave was soon lost by its
being broken to pieces. It was, as may be imagined, a very severe
ordeal, the bruises being very painful for weeks afterwards.

*Roller*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A roll-call.

*Room*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—In Stonyhurst nomenclature, ROOM
as a place-name is modern. _See_ DUCHESS’ ROOMS, DUKE’S
ROOM, PLACE, &c.

*Roosh*, _verb_ (Harrow).—To rush about.

*Roost*, _verb_ (Derby).—To kick hard: at football. [? Root.]

*Root-about*, _subs._ (The Leys).—Promiscuous football practice.
Also as _verb_.

*Ropes*, _subs._ (general).—A half-back at football.

*Rorke* (or *Rawk*), _subs._ (Tonbridge).—A navvy. [? Latin
_raucus_. _Cf._ RORKER.]

*Rorker*, _subs._ (Derby).—A street boy; a cad. [? Latin
_raucus_. _Cf._ RORKE.]

*Rosh* (or *Roush*), _verb_ (Royal Military Academy).—To bustle;
to horseplay. Hence STOP ROUSHING! = an injunction to
silence.

*Rotten.* _See_ Appendix.

*Rotter*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—A boy who shirks his fair share:
at games, &c.; a _fainéant_.

*Rouge*, _subs._ (Eton).—A point in the Eton game of football: 3
ROUGES = 1 goal. _Cf._ SCROUGE.

_Verb_ (Felsted).—To “rag”; to “scrag.” See _subs._

1895. _Felstedian_, April, pp. 43-4. “Vic” ... entirely baffles me,
and so does the expression TO ROUGE; but the fact that it occurs in
the early numbers of the _Felstedian_—“we won the game by one goal,
three ROUGES”—points to its origin.

*Round-Othello*, _subs._ (The Leys). A Leysian tuck-shop
delicacy.

*Roush*, _subs._ (Winchester).—1. A rush, or charge: as by a
man, a beast, or by water.

*Rowing-man*, _subs._ (University).—A spreester; a loose fish.
[“Row” as in “bough.”]

*Rows*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The fixed benches at each end of
School: called respectively Senior, Middle, and Junior ROW.

*Rowsterer*, _subs._ (Derby).—A cad.

*Ruck.* TO RUCK ALONG, _verb. phr._ (Oxford).—To walk quickly.

*Rudiments*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The Third Form.

*Rug*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A Rugbeian.

1892. _Evening Standard_, 25th Nov. 4, 5. The controversy was started
by the death of one who succumbed to his exertions. “An Old Medical
RUG” describes the sufferings he endured.

*Rugger*, _subs._ (general).—Football: the Rugby game.

1896. _Tonbridgian_, No. 339, 1124. At St. John’s, Sells has developed
into a good RUGGER half, Pinching is one of the best forwards, and
also plays Socker for the College at times.

1897. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 194. As regards RUGGER the ’Varsity team
have been somewhat under-rated.

*Run.* TO RUN CLOISTERS, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—A boy was
said TO RUN CLOISTERS when he obtained his remove from
Junior Part to Senior Part at the end of CLOISTER-TIME (a
period of ten or twelve weeks at the end of Long Half).

*Run.* _See_ RACE.

*Runabout*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—An irregular form of
football: formerly called COMPULSORY.

*Running-stone*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A stone set at a distance
from the CRICKET-STONE (_q.v._), to and from which a batsman
ran when making a score. _See_ STONYHURST-CRICKET.

1885. _Stonyhurst Mag._, ii. 85. The distance from the Cricket-stone
to the RUNNING-STONE to be twenty-seven yards.

*Rusticate*, _verb_ (common).—To send away a student for a time
from a College or University by way of punishment; to SHIP
(_q.v._). Hence RUSTICATION.

1714. _Spectator_, No. 596. After this I was deeply in love with a
milliner, and at last with my bedmaker, upon which I was sent away,
or, in the university phrase, RUSTICATED for ever.

1779. JOHNSON, _Life of Milton_, par. 12. It seems plain from his own
verses to _Diodati_, that he had incurred RUSTICATION; a temporary
dismission into the country, with perhaps the loss of a term.

1794. _Gent. Mag._, p. 1085. And was very near RUSTICATION [at
Cambridge], merely for kicking up a row after a beakering party.

1841. LEVER, _Charles O’Malley_, lxxix. You have totally forgotten me,
and the Dean informs me that you have never condescended a single line
to him, which latter enquiry on my part nearly cost me a
RUSTICATION.... Dear Cecil Cavendish, our gifted friend, slight of
limb and soft of voice, has been RUSTICATED for immersing four
bricklayers in that green receptacle of stagnant water and duckweed,
yclept the “Haha.”

1841. H. KINGSLEY, _Ravenshoe_, ch. viii. Non-university men sneer at
RUSTICATION; they can’t see any particular punishment in having to
absent yourself from your studies for a term or two.

1850. F. E. SMEDLEY, _Frank Fairlegh_, ch. xxx. Who, the landlord
tells me, has just been RUSTICATED for insulting Dr. Doublechin.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iv. “The Master ... said as how Mr.
Bouncer had better go down into the country for a year, for change of
hair, and to visit his friends.” “Very kind indeed of Dr. Portman,”
said our hero, who missed the moral of the story, and took the
RUSTICATION for a kind forgiveness of injuries.

1885. _Daily Telegraph_, Oct. 29. Students who are liable at any
moment to be RUSTICATED.

*Saccer*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The Sacrament. _Cf._ SOCCER, RUGGER,
BREKKER, COLLECKER, &c.

*Salt*, _subs._ (Eton).—The gratuity exacted at the now obsolete
triennial festival of the MONTEM (_q.v._).

1886. BREWER, _Phrase and Fable_, s.v. SALT-HILL. At the Eton _Montem_
the captain of the school used to collect money from the visitors on
Montem day. Standing on a mound at Slough, he waved a flag, and
persons appointed for the purpose collected the donations. The mound
is still called SALT-HILL, and the money given was called SALT. The
word salt is similar to the Latin _sala’rium_ (salary), the pay given
to Roman soldiers and civil officers.

1890. SPEAKER, 22nd Feb., 210. 2. In lively but worldly fashion we go
to Eton, with its buried Montem, its “SALT! your majesty, SALT!” its
gin-twirley, and its jumping through paper fires in Long-Chamber.

*Salt-bearer*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ MONTEM.

*Samson*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—A baked jam pudding.

*Sanderites* (Charterhouse).—The head-master’s house. [Dr.
Sanders was head-master 1832-53.]

*Sands*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The pavement on the north side of
Chapel in Chamber Court.

*Sandwich-boat.* _See_ BUMPING-RACE.

*Sap*, _subs._ (common).—A hard worker; a diligent student.

1827. LYTTON, _Pelham_, ch. ii. When I once attempted to read Pope’s
poems out of school hours, I was laughed at, and called a SAP.

1850. SMEDLEY, _Frank Fairlegh_, 117. After several fruitless attempts
to shake my determination, they pronounced me an incorrigible SAP, and
leaving me to my own devices, proceeded to try their powers upon
Oaklands.

1856. WHYTE-MELVILLE, _Kate Coventry_, ch. xvii. At school, if he
makes an effort at distinction in school-hours, he is stigmatised by
his comrades as a SAP.

1888. GOSCHEN, _Speech at Aberdeen_, Jan. 31. Remember the many
epithets applied to those who, not content with doing their work,
commit the heinous offence of being absorbed in it ... schools and
colleges ... have invented for this purpose, with that peculiar
felicity which attaches to schoolboy nomenclature, phrases,
semi-classical, or wholly vernacular, such as a “SAP,” a “smug,” a
“swot,” a “bloke,” a “mugster.”

_Verb._ To read or study hard; to sweat.

1848. C. KINGSLEY, _Yeast_, i. SAPPING and studying still.

1853. LYTTON, _My Novel_, Bk. I. ch. xii. He understands that he was
sent to school to learn his lessons, and he learns them. You call that
SAPPING—I call it doing his duty.

1856. Miss YONGE, _Daisy Chain_, ch. xii. “At it again!” exclaimed Dr.
May. “Carry it away, Ethel; I will have no Latin or Greek touched
these holidays.” “You know,” said Norman, “if I don’t SAP, I shall
have no chance of keeping up!”

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 46. I ... haven’t to go SAPPING
round to get it when I want my own tea.

*Sappy*, _adj._ (Durham).—Severe: of a caning.

*Sark*, _verb_ (Sherborne).—To sulk.

*Saturday-nighter*, _subs._ (Harrow).—An exercise set for
Saturday night: usually an essay, map, or poem.

*Scadger*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A scamp; a rascal.
Now a general colloquialism.

*Scaff*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A selfish fellow. [The
adjectival forms are SCALY and SCABBY, whence may be the
derivation.] Obsolete: _see_ SCOUSE.

*Scaldings*, _intj._ (Winchester).—A general injunction to be
gone; “Be off!”

*Scan and Prove* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Scheme*, _subs._ (Winchester).—An alarum worked by a candle.
_See_ quot.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SCHEME.... The candle on
reaching a measured point ignites paper, which by burning a string
releases a weight: this falls on the head of the boy to be waked.

*Schitt*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A goal: at football.
_See_ GOWNER.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SCHITT.... This was the
word in general use till 1860, when it was superseded by “goal.” In
early Winchester football there seems to have been three methods of
scoring—a _goal_, a _gowner_, a SCHITT, worth respectively 3, 2, and
1. The last behind stood between two gowns, which made a goal. The
ball passing over his head or between his legs scored three, over the
gowns two, over the rest of “worms” one. When the whole of “worms” was
made to count equally, every goal was a SCHITT.

*Schol*, _subs._ (Harrow).—(1) A scholar; and (2) a scholarship.

*School-stock*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The old books kept by the
school.

*School-twelve*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The twelve who take a leading
part at the concert.

*Scob* (or *Scobb*), _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quots.

1620. _Account_ [to J. Hutton at his entrance into the College]. For a
SCOBB to hold his books, 3s. 6d.

1890. GRANT ALLEN, _Tents of Shem_, xlii. Parker’s SCOB was 220. SCOB
was box in Winchester slang.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SCOB.... An oak box with a
double lid, set at the angles of the squares of wooden benches in
school. It is used as desk and book-case.... Probably the word has
been transferred from the bench itself, and comes from Fr. _Escabeau_.
Lat. _Scabellum_.

*Sconce*, _verb_. 1. (University: once common).—To fine; to
deduct by way of fine; to discontinue. Also as _subs._
Whence TO BUILD A SCONCE = to run up a score (as at an
alehouse, or of fines).

1632. SHIRLEY, _Witty Fair One_, iv. sc. 2. College! I have had a head
in most of the butteries of Cambridge, and it has been SCONCED to
purpose.

_c._ 1640. [SHIRLEY] _Captain Underwit_ [BULLEN, _Old Plays_, ii.
323]. _Tho._ I can teach you to build a SCONCE, sir.

1696. B. E., _Dict. Cant. Crew_, s.v. SCONCE. To build a large SCONCE,
to run deep upon tick or trust.

1730. JAS. MILLER, _Humours of Oxford_, i. p. 9 (2nd ed.). No, no, my
dear, I understand more manners than to leave my friends to go to
church—no, tho’ they SCONCE me a fortnight’s commons, I’ll not do it.

1748. T. DYCHE, _Dictionary_ (5th ed.). SCONCE (v.) ... also a cant
word for running up a score at an alehouse or tavern.

1760. JOHNSTON, _Chrysal_, ch. xxviii. [COOKE’S ed., N.D.]. These
youths have been playing a small game, cribbing from the till, and
building SCONCES, and such like tricks that there was no taking hold
of.

1765. GOLDSMITH, _Essays_, viii. He ran into debt with everybody that
would trust him, and none could build a SCONCE better than he.

1768. FOOTE, _Devil upon Two Sticks_, ii. 1. She paid my bill the next
day without SCONCING off sixpence.

1821. _The Etonian_, ii. 391. Was SCONCED in a quart of ale for
quoting Latin, a passage from Juvenal; murmured, and the fine was
doubled.

1823. BEE, SLANG DICT., s.v. SCONCE ... To discontinue: as SCONCE his
diet = give less victuals. SCONCE the reckoning = to go no further in
debt, but bolt.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. SCONCE.... “To SCONCE, to eat
more than another, _Winton_; to SCONCE, to impose a pecuniary mulct,
_Oxon._,” Kennett, MS. To SCONCE at Oxford, was to put a person’s name
in the College buttery books by way of fine.

1864. HOTTEN, _Slang Dict._, s.v. SCONCE. The Dons fined or SCONCED
for small offences; _e.g._ five shillings for wearing a coloured coat
in hall at dinner-time. Among undergrads, a pun, or an oath, or an
indecent remark, was SCONCED by the head of the table. If the offender
could, however, floor the tankard of beer which he was SCONCED, he
could retort on his SCONCER to the extent of twice the amount he was
SCONCED in.

1883. H. T. ELLACOMBE [_Notes and Queries_, 6 S., viii. 326]. Men were
SCONCED if accidentally they appeared in hall undressed. I think the
SCONCE was a quantity of beer to the scouts. The SCONCE-table was hung
up in the buttery.

1899. _Answers_, 14th Jan., i. 1. The average freshman is not very
long at Oxford before he is acquainted with the mysteries of SCONCING.
A SCONCE is a fine of a quart of ale, in which the unlucky fresher is
mulcted for various offences in Hall.

1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 476. Opponents who get in each
other’s way and “SCONCE” the “kicks.”

2. (Winchester).—To hinder; to get in the way: as of a kick
at football, a catch at cricket, &c.: _e.g._ “If you had not
SCONCED, I should have made a flyer!”

*Scourge*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—To flog. Whence
SCOURGING = a flogging of three strokes. _See_ SCRUBBING and
TUND.

1883. TROLLOPE, _What I Remember_.... The words “flog” or “flogging,”
it is to be observed, were never heard among us, in the mouth either
of the masters or the boys. We were SCOURGED.

*Scout*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A College servant: combining the
duties of valet, waiter, messenger, &c.

1750. _The Student_, i. 55. My SCOUT indeed is a very learned fellow.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iii. Infatuated Mr. Green! If you
could have foreseen that those spoons and forks would have soon
passed—by a mysterious system of loss which undergraduate powers can
never fathom—into the property of Mr. Robert Filcher, the excellent,
though occasionally erratic, SCOUT of your beloved son ... you would
have been content to have let your son and heir represent the
ancestral wealth by any sham that would equally well have served his
purpose!

1884. JULIAN STURGIS in _Longmans’ Mag._, v. 65. The old don went back
to his chair, and ... thrust the bits into the waste-paper basket, as
his “SCOUT” came in with a note.

*Scrape out*, _verb_ (Winchester).—When a Præfect wished to go
out of School, he SCRAPED with his foot till he got a nod
from the Master.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Scrub*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To write fast: _e.g._
“SCRUB it down.” Also as _subs._ = handwriting. [Lat.
_scribere_.] _See_ STRIVE.

*Scrubbing*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A flogging: four
strokes at SCRUBBING-FORMS. _See_ SCOURGE.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 109. The
ordinary punishment consisted of four cuts, and was called “A
SCRUBBING.” The individual who was to be punished was told “to order
his name,” which he did by going to the Ostiarius, and requesting him
to do so; that officer accordingly, at the end of school time, would
take his name to the Master, who would then call it out, and the
victim had to kneel down at Senior row, while two Juniors laid bare
the regulation space of his back. The first time a boy’s name was
ordered, the punishment was remitted on his pleading “_Primum
tempus_.” For a more serious breach of duty, a flogging of six cuts (a
“Bibler”) was administered, in which case the culprit had to “order
his name to the Bible-Clerk,” and that individual, with the help of
Ostiarius, performed the office of Jack Ketch. If a boy was detected
in a lie, or any very disgraceful proceeding—a rare occurrence, I am
happy to say—he had to stand up in the centre of Junior row during the
whole of the school time, immediately preceding the infliction of the
flogging; this pillory process was called a “Bibler under the nail.” I
have also heard, that for a very heinous offence, a boy might be
punished in Sixth Chamber, in which case the number of stripes was not
limited; but I never knew an instance of this.

1864. _Blackwood’s Magazine_, vol. 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.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SCRUBBING.... According to
T. A. Trollope, the word in use in his day was SCOURGING: this,
however, he describes as of three strokes: he does not mention
“bibling.” He was in College 1820-28.

*Scrutiny*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 62. The Oxford visitors, on
their arrival, proceed at once to “Election Chamber” to hear any
complaints which the boys may have to prefer. This is called the
SCRUTINY, the seven senior prefects, and the seven juniors in chambers
(one from each chamber), are separately questioned; but complaints are
seldom made. Next morning the examination for election of scholars to
New College begins—no longer in the renowned “Election Chamber”
itself, but in the long “Warden Gallery,” as more convenient for the
purpose; all prefects who are of standing to leave the school are
examined with any other who choose.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SCRUTINY. An examination of
the seven Seniors and seven Juniors in College, on the subject of
their personal comfort, &c., in College. There were two SCRUTINEES in
the year; one conducted by the Warden of New College and Posers in
Election Week, the other by the Wardens and Fellows of Winchester in
Sealing Week.

*Scud*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A runner.

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, v. “I say,” said East, as he
got his wind, looking with much increased respect at Tom, “you ain’t a
bad SCUD, not by no means. Well, I’m as warm as a toast now.”

*Scull*, _subs._ (University).—The head (or master) of a
College.

1864. HOTTEN, _Slang Dict._, s.v. SCULL. The head, or master of a
college: nearly obsolete; the gallery, however, in St. Mary’s (the
Oxford University church), where the “Heads of Houses” sit in solemn
state, is still nicknamed the “Golgotha” by the undergraduates.

*Scull-race*, _subs._ (University).—A University Examination.

*Scuttle*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital, Hertford).—To cry out
under oppression with a view to attracting the notice of one
in authority. Hence SCUTTLE-CAT = one who SCUTTLES.
Obsolete.

*Second-bounce*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A kind of
handball once very popular.

*Second-bowler*, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A wicket-keeper. _See_
STONYHURST-CRICKET.

*Second-Elevens*, _subs._ (Harrow).—(1) A match, at football,
for practice: between two Houses, not as a HOUSE-MATCH
(_q.v._). Also (2) a match, at cricket, between any Eleven
from two Houses, save CAPS (_q.v._) and those in a regular
game. Also SECONDERS.

*Second-examen*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A punishment for great
carelessness in study during a term: _e.g._ I’ve got
SECOND-EXAM.

*Second-guarder.* _See_ GUARDER.

*Second-peal.* _See_ PEAL.

*Semi-bejan*, _subs._ (Aberdeen).—A student in the second class.

*Semper*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Always: _e.g._ I have got SEMPER
leave-out. _See_ Appendix.