Chapter VIII: Part 8

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 233. A very
common prefix; _e.g._ a boy was said to be SEMPER Continent, Tardy, or
Ex Trumps if he was often at Sick-house, or late for Chapel, or
habitually went up to Books without having looked at his lessons. An
official who was always present at the College meetings went by the
name of SEMPER TESTIS.

*Send.* TO SEND DOWN, _verb. phr._ (University).—To expel; to
rusticate. _See_ GO DOWN.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 89. Next day they were hauled and
SENT DOWN.

1891. _Felstedian_, April, p. 32. They SENT him down for two terms for
smashing a shop window.

TO SEND UP, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—(1) To send up to the
head-master for some offence. Also (2) of an exercise sent
up to the head-master as “very good.”

*Senior.* _See_ JUNIOR.

*Senior Hall* (Shrewsbury).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 246. The boarders reside
chiefly either in the head-master’s house, or SENIOR HALL, as it is
called, or in a house adjoining rented by him, and called the “Junior
Hall.” The second-master also has a “Hall,” which will accommodate
about twenty. But the buildings are old, in many cases badly adapted
for their present use, and have either been purchased, built, or
rented from time to time by the head-master as the numbers of the
school required.

*Senior Part*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ BOOKS.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 233. SENIOR
PART, THE FIFTH—The part next below the Præfects, generally called
SENIOR PART.

1900. _St. James’s Gazette_, Mar. 15, “Arnoldiana.” One day they were
both invited to breakfast by the Head, in the company of a “stupid
boy” from SENIOR PART.

*Senior Soph.* _See_ SOPH.

*Servant*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ MONTEM.

*Servitor*, _subs._ (old).—_See_ SIZER.

*Seventh-chamber*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 23. The schoolroom was still
SEVENTH-CHAMBER—_Magna illa domus_, as the founder’s directions call
it—though, as some of the commoners must have been taught together
with the scholars, it is difficult to understand how so many could
have found room there without great confusion.

*Shack*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A share. Whence TO GO SHACK = to
give a share.

*Shadow*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 187. When a boy is first placed
in the school he is attached to another boy in the same form something
in the relation of an apprentice. The new boy is called the “SHADOW,”
the other, the “Substance.” For the first week the SHADOW follows the
Substance everywhere, takes his place next to him in class,
accompanies him as he rises or falls, and is exempt from any
responsibility for his own mistakes in or out of school. During this
interval of indulgence, his patron is expected to initiate him in all
the work of the school, to see that he is provided with the necessary
books and other appliances, and, in short, to teach him by degrees to
enter upon a substantial and responsible existence of his own.

*She*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A plum-pudding. _Cf._ HE.

*Sheep*, _subs._ (Aberdeen).—A second classman or undergraduate.

1865. MACDONALD, _Alec Forbes_, ii. 5. At length a certain semi
(second-classman, or more popularly SHEEP) stood up to give his
opinion on some subject in dispute.

*Sheepskin*, subs. (University).—The diploma received on taking
a degree. [Because inscribed on parchment.] Hence a person
who has taken a degree.

*Shell*, _subs._ (originally Westminster).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 178. At the end of this room [the
school-room] there is a kind of semicircular apse, in which the SHELL
form were formerly taught, and the shape of which is said to have
given rise to this name, since adopted at several other public
schools.

*Shepherd*, subs. (Harrow).—Every sixth boy in CRICKET-BILL
(_q.v._): he answers for the five below him being present.

*Shield* (The), _subs._ (Harrow).—The Ashburton Shield: shot for
at Bisley by Public School Eights.

*Shig*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A shilling.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Shimmy*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A shirt.

*Shin*, _verb_ (Eton).—To kick on the shins.

1864. _Eton School-days_, xiii. He could not go out of his tutor’s if
there happened to be any one in the yard without some one throwing a
stone at him, or hissing, or SHINNING him if he passed near enough.

*Ship*, _verb._ 1. (Sherborne).—To turn a boy out of bed with
his mattress on top of him. _Cf._ LAUNCH.

2. (general).—To RUSTICATE (_q.v._).

*Shirk*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An old building of some
dimensions, containing a number of private rooms; erected
for temporary use, but since found of too much service to be
demolished.

1884. _Stonyhurst Mag._, i. 277. Gothic architecture of all
descriptions, including Elizabethan, was trampled out by the
Renaissance (revived Greek), of which SHIRK is a very bad specimen
(where it tries to be ornamental, as in its triangular pediment and
the pilasters beside the larger window).

_Verb._ 1. (Eton).—To hide when liable to be caught out of
bounds. Obsolete.

2. (Winchester).—_See_ HILLS.

*Shirkster*, _subs._ (Winchester).—One who shirks.

TO SHIRK IN, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To walk into water
when bathing.

TO SHIRK OUT, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To go out contrary
to rules.

*Shirt-sleevie*, _subs._ (Loretto).—A dance; on winter Saturday
evenings, and sometimes in the open air at the end of summer
term. [The costume is rational _de rigeur_: a flannel shirt
open at neck and flannel trousers—no coat or waistcoat may
be worn.]

*Shootabout*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—An irregular form of
football.

*Shooter*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A black morning coat: as
distinguished from the tail-coat worn by the Fifth and Sixth
Forms.

*Shorts*, _subs._ (general).—Flannel trousers; CUTS (_q.v._).

*Shot*, _intj._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A cry of warning at
the approach of a master.

OUT BY SHOT, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—At football when the ball
before going out hits one of the opposite side to the one
who last kicked. _See_ FORCE.

*Shuffle*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To pretend; to feign: as “to
SHUFFLE asleep.” Hence SHUFFLER.

*Shy*, _subs._ (Eton).—A point at the WALL (_q.v._) game.

*Siberia*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A section of the house containing
many private rooms. [From its supposed temperature in
winter.]

1889. _Felstedian_, July, 65. There lieth here a district which hath
the name SIBERIA: and also its people are called not Siberians, but
SIBERIA.

*Sick-house*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The College sanatorium,
which stands in SICK-HOUSE MEADS. _See_ also BOX-HOUSE and
BOX-BUILDINGS.

*Silver-fork*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A wooden skewer used as a
chop-stick when forks were scarce.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Silver-pence*, _subs._ (Westminster).—Small money rewards—which
were the pride of Westminsters in Cowper’s day—are still
continued. The coins are furnished to the school by the
Queen’s almoner in their unmilled state, prior to their
issue as currency. Some are given by the head-master every
week, and are valued quite as much as more substantial
prizes. Silver money is also furnished by the college
steward to the guests at the Elections dinners, that they
may be prepared to reward the epigrams; but this is the
ordinary coin of the realm.

*Sim*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A Simeonite, or member of the
Evangelical section of the Church of England. The modern
equivalent is PI-MAN (_q.v._). [From the Rev. CHARLES SIMEON
(1759-1836), fifty-four years Vicar of Holy Trinity,
Cambridge.]

1826. TODD, _The Sizar’s Table_ [WHIBLEY, _Cap and Gown_, 109]. Some
carnally given to women and wine, Some apostles of Simeon, all pure
and divine.

1853. BRISTED, _Eng. Univ._, 39. While passing for a terribly hard
reading-man, and a SIM of the straightest kind with the empty bottles.

*Simon*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—A cane. [Acts
ix. 43.]

*Sines*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Bread. A SINES = a small loaf.

*Single*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A room for exclusive use: thus
DOUBLE (_q.v._).

*Sink*, _subs._ (The Leys).—(1) A heavy feed; a “stodge.” Also
(2) one who indulges therein; a glutton.

*Sitter*, _subs._ (Oxford and Harrow).—A sitting-room.

*Six*, subs. (Oxford).—A W.C.

*Six-and-Six*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Football: six a side. _Cf._
TWENTY-TWO AND TWENTY-TWO. _See_ Appendix.

*Sixes*, _subs._ (The Leys).—Football teams for competition—six
a side. _See_ KID, and Appendix.

*Six of* ..., _phr._ (Harrow).—An order to the value of
sixpence. Thus SIX OF SAUSAGES WITH (archaic) =
sixpennyworth of sausages with potatoes.

*Sixpenny*, _subs._ (Eton).—A large field for football and
cricket. _See_ PLAYING-FIELDS.

1864. _Eton School-days_, vi. I tell you plainly, if you are not in
SIXPENNY after twelve, I will do my best to give you a hiding wherever
I meet you.

*Six-raps*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: recently obsolete).—A game
consisting chiefly in rapping balls across the playground to
be caught by others.

1887. _Stonyhurst Mag._, iii. 18, “Stonyhurst in the Fifties.” SIX
RAPS, it may be remarked, was in those days played with a miniature
Stonyhurst-cricket (_q.v._) ball.

*Size*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—An allowance of bread, &c., for a
particular price; but _see_ quots. Whence SIZINGS.

1592. NASHE, _Pierce Penilesse_ [_Works_, ii. 68]. The Maister Butler
of Pembrooke Hall, a farre better Scholler than thy selfe, (in my
iudgement) and one that sheweth more discretion and gouernment in
setting vp a SISE of Bread, than thou in all thy whole booke.

1605. SHAKSPEARE, _Lear_, ii. 4. To bandy hasty words, to scant my
SIZES.

1614. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER, _Wit at Several Weapons_, ii. To be so
strict A niggard to your commons, that you’re fain TO SIZE your belly
out with shoulder fees, With kidnies, rumps, &c.

1620. MINSHEU, _Dict._, s.v. SIZE. A farthing which schollers in
Cambridge have at the buttery, noted with the letter S.

1632. SHIRLEY, _Witty Fair One_, iv. 2. College! I have had a head in
most of the butteries of Cambridge, and it has been sconced to
purpose. I know what belongs to SIZING, and have answered to my cue in
my days.

1656. *BLOUNT*, _Glossographia_, ... SIZE.—A farthing’s worth of bread
or drink which scholars at Cambridge had at the buttery.

1773. HAWKINS, _Origin of the Drama_, iii. 271. You are still at
Cambridge with your SIZE cue.

1795. _Gent. Mag._, p. 21. In general, a SIZE is a small plateful of
any eatable; and at dinner, TO SIZE is to order for yourself any
little luxury that may chance to tempt you, in addition to the general
fare, for which you are expected to pay the cook at the end of the
term.

1823. NARES, _Glossary_, s.v. SIZE. To feed with SIZES, or small
scraps.

1853. BRISTED, _Five Years_, 20. Go through a regular second course
instead of the SIZINGS.

1864. HOTTEN, _Slang Dict._, s.v.

_Verb_ (Cambridge).—To order extras over and above the
usual commons at the dinner in College hall. Soup, pastry,
&c., are SIZINGS, and are paid for at a certain specified
rate per SIZE, or portion, to the college cook. Whence, to
pay one’s share of the expense: as at a supper-party.
SIZING-PARTY = a number of students who contribute each
his own part towards a supper, &c.

1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v. SIZE ... If a man asks you to sup he
treats you: if TO SIZE, you pay for what you eat, liquors only being
provided by the inviter.

1853. BRISTED, _Eng. Univ._, 19. Soup, pastry, and cheese can be SIZED
FOR.

*Sizer* (or SIZAR), _subs._ (Cambridge).—A poor scholar. They
were elected annually; paid rent for rooms and other fees on
a lower scale than ordinary students; and got their dinners
including sizings _(see_ SIZE, _subs._ and _verb_) from what
was left at the Upper or Fellows’ table, free, or nearly so.
They were equivalent to the BATTLERS (_q.v._) or SERVITORS
(_q.v._) of Oxford.

1574. [R. W. CHURCH, _Spenser_ (1888), ch. i. p. 9.] On the 20th of
May, he was admitted SIZAR, or serving clerk at Pembroke Hall.

1670. J. EACHARD, _Contempt of the Clergy_ [ARBER’S _Garner_, vol.
vii. p. 257]. They took therefore, heretofore, a very good method to
prevent SIZARS overheating their brains. Bed-making, chamber-sweeping,
and water-fetching were doubtless great preservatives against too much
vain philosophy.

1779. JOHNSON, _Life of Milton_, Par. 7. He was ... removed in the
beginning of his sixteenth year to Christ’s College in Cambridge,
where he entered a SIZAR, Feb. 12, 1624.

1820. LAMB, _Elia_ (_Oxford in the Long Vacation_). In moods of
humility I can be a SIZAR, or a Servitor. When the peacock vein rises,
I strut a Gentleman Commoner.

1840. LYTTON, _Money_, ii. 3. I was put to school—sent to college, a
SIZAR. Do you know what a SIZAR is? In pride he is a gentleman—in
knowledge he is a scholar—and he crawls about, amidst gentlemen and
scholars, with the livery of a pauper on his back!

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. SIZER.... A student at
Cambridge whose expenses for living are partially provided by the
College, originally a servitor, as serving one of the Fellows. Each
Fellow of a College had one servitor allotted to him.

1857. MONCRIEFF, _Bashful Man_, ii. 4. _Collegian._ Who’s that fat
gentleman that’s just got in? _Coachman._ That fat gentleman’s a SIZER
from Corpus.

*Skew*, _subs._ (Harrow).—An entrance examination held on the
last Thursday of term. _See_ DAB, and Appendix.

*Ski* (or SCI), subs. (Westminster).—A plebeian; an outsider:
specifically the outer rabble of invaders of the territory
of Dean’s yard, belonging of right to the _gens togata_ as
Romans. [Said to be an abbreviation of VOLSCI.]

*Skimmer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A method of entering the water
when bathing: by just skimming beneath the surface, and
rising again immediately.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Skimmery*, _subs._ (Oxford).—St. Mary’s Hall.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, viii. I swopped the beggar to a
SKIMMERY man for regular slap-up sets of the ballet.

1860. G. and P. WHARTON, _Wits and Beaux of Society_, p. 427. After
leaving Westminster School he was sent to immortal SKIMMERY (St.
Mary’s Hall), Oxford.

*Skip*, _subs._ (Dublin).—A College servant: valet, messenger,
and waiter combined: the Oxford SCOUT (_q.v._), and at
Cambridge a GYP (_q.v._). Formerly (in general use) = a
footman.

1703. WARD, _London Spy_, Pt. VII. p. 151. As a Courtier’s Footman
when he meets his Brother SKIP in the middle of _Covent-garden_.

1754. MARTIN, _Eng. Dict._, s.v. SKIP.... A nickname for a footman.

1839. LEVER, _Harry Lorrequer_, ch. xiii. For the uninitiated I have
only to add that SKIP is the Trinity College [Dublin] appellation for
servant.

1842. _Tait’s Mag._, Oct., “Rem. College Life.” The SKIP, or according
to the Oxford etymology, the man-vulture, is not fit for his calling
who cannot time his business so as to be present simultaneously at
several places.

1849. THACKERAY, _Pendennis_, ch. xx. His wounded tutor, his many
duns, the SKIP and bedmaker who waited upon him.

*Skirmish.* TO SKIRMISH ON, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To run
home from HILLS (_q.v._) when it commenced to rain.

*Skug* (or *Scug*), _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ Appendix.

1889. DRAGE, _Cyril_, vii. Such a little SKUG, to use a word in use at
my tutor’s.

*Skull.* _See_ SCULL.

*Sky*, _verb_ (Harrow).—(1) To charge any one, or to knock down:
at football. Also (2) = to hit or throw anything away.

*Skyte*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—A day boy. [Σχυθαι]

*Slabs*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—A flat cake.

*Slack*, _verb_ (Durham).—To sell: specifically, to dispose of
property to a dealer in second-hand goods. [From the name of
a second-hand bookseller in Durham.]

*Slave-driver*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A fag-master: exclusively at
cricket.

1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 95. The upper ground on these days is
given up to practice at the nets for the Eleven and the “Sixth Form”
game, and to practice in fielding and catching. Boys below the Removes
have to fag for them, and these fags are managed by SLAVE-DRIVERS
(three or four boys appointed for the purpose).

*Sleath’s.* _See_ PLANKS.

*Slime*, _verb_ (Durham).—To try and cut games. Also = to loaf;
to lounge: _e.g._ SLIMING down town. _See_ App.

*Slog*, _subs._ (general).—A large slice.

_Verb_ (Stonyhurst).—At hockey to hit at the ball when the
right hand is less than a foot below the left on the stick.

*Sloggers*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The second division of boats;
corresponding to the Oxford TORPIDS (_q.v._).

*Slosher*, _subs._ (Cheltenham).—An assistant in a
boarding-house charged with superintending dormitories,
evening work, &c.

*Slow*, _adv._ (Winchester).—Ignorant of Winchester NOTIONS
(_q.v._).

*Slum*, _verb_ (Derby).—To evade; to get out of anything, as
work. Also (University), to avoid observation by using
by-streets.

*Small*, _adj._ (Harrow).—1. Under sixteen years of age:
eligible to go in for SMALL events in the sports. _See_ BIG.

2. Applied to boarding-houses kept by some of the assistant
masters, and strictly limited to seven or eight boys: a
comparatively modern arrangement, having been instituted
_circa_ 1850.

*Small-pill*, _subs._ (The Leys).—A diminutive football; used on
“runs.”

*Smalls*, _subs._ (Oxford).—The first examination.

1853. *Bradley*, _Verdant Green_, II. xi. The little gentleman was
going in for his Degree, _alias_ Great-go, _alias_ Greats; and our
hero for his first examination _in literis humanioribus_, _alias_
Responsions, _alias_ Little-go, _alias_ SMALLS.

1863. READE, _Hard Cash._... Cramming for SMALLS.... Julia reminded
her that SMALLS was the new word for LITTLE-GO.

*Smoke.* _See_ COBBLER.

*Smoker* (or *Smoke-shell*), _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—A
chamber-mug.

*Smug*, _subs._ (general).—An ill-mannered, ill-dressed, or
unpopular student. Also as _verb_ = to keep indoors hard at
work; whence also (as _subs._) a hard worker.

*Smuggler*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A small lead-pencil pointed at
both ends.

*Snack*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A racket ball: formerly a
bat-fives ball. [SNACK-BALLS (Glouc.) = balls made of SNACK
(a dried fungus), which are very elastic and bounce well.]

*Snap-up*, _verb_ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 234.
SNAPPING UP for false quantities.—When up at Books, if any boy, when
translating, made a false quantity, any other boy (however low down in
the Part) who could first correct him was allowed to go up above him.
If, however, the SNAPPER-UP was himself wrong, he had to go to the
bottom of the Part.

*Snicks.* TO GO SNICKS, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To share.

*Snitch*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A term of contempt.

_Verb_ (Derby).—To hit in the eye.

*Sniw.* TO OFFER SNIW, _verb. phr._ (The Leys).—To cheek. [SNIW
= Snow.]

*Snob*, _subs._ 1. (University).—A townsman.

2. (Marlborough).—Small cricket: as two together, or at tip
and run.

*Snoke*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—(1) An underhand person:
_e.g._ “He is a great SNOKE”; (2) an untoward circumstance:
_e.g._ “It was a great SNOKE, we lost the match.”

_Verb._ To inform: of an offence. Not necessarily “to
sneak,” because it could be used of a master reporting to
the Head-master.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. SNOKE. To ferret out; to pry
into. _North._ SNOKE-HORNE, _Townley Myst._, p. 68, a sneaking fellow.

*Snook*, _verb_ (Shrewsbury).—(1) To do the whole of an
examination proper. Whence (2) to beat in argument or
repartee.

*Snooker*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—A newly-joined
cadet of the fourth class.

*Soap*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Cheese.

*Socius*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A chum; a companion.

_Verb_ (Winchester).—To accompany. [The School precept is
_Sociati omnes incedunto_.]

*Sock*, _subs._ 1. (Eton).—Edibles of any kind. Hence TO SOCK =
to eat outside regular meals: _e.g._ “We SOCKED Lyndsay
minor three times last week,” _i.e._ we gave him something
to eat outside his regular meals three times last week.
Whence SOCK = to give.

1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life in our Public Schools_.... The
consumption of SOCK, too, in school was considerable, and on occasion
very conspicuous.

1883. BRINSLEY-RICHARDS, _Seven Years at Eton_.... We Eton fellows,
great and small, SOCKED prodigiously. By the way, I do not know whence
that term SOCK, as applied to what boys at some schools call “grub,”
and others “tick,” is derived; for I question the theory which makes
it spring from “suck.” I am rather disposed to accept the story that
at the beginning of this century, one of the men, who sold fruits and
tarts at the wall, got nicknamed SOCKS, in consequence of his having
discarded knee-breeches and stockings in favour of pants and short
hose. The man’s nickname might then have spread to his business and to
his wares by a process familiar to etymologists, till SOCKING came to
mean the purchase of good things not from SOCKS only, but from any
other vendor.

1889. BUCKLAND, _Eton Fifty Years Ago_ [_Macmillan’s Mag._, Nov.]. “My
governor has SOCKED me a book.”... A boy has also been heard to ask
another to SOCK him a construe of his lesson.

2. (Winchester).—To hit hard: especially at cricket. Also to
beat; to defeat: as in a game.

*Socker*, _subs._ (general).—Association football. _Cf._ RUGGER.
Also SOCCER.

1896. _Tonbridgian_, 339, 1124. Hartley has been playing very well
this season, and has also become a great half-back at SOCKER.

1897. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 194. In _SOCCER_, with old Blues up, we
ought to be very strong.

*Sodality*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Higher Line SODALITY and Lower
Line SODALITY = two confraternities of which boys are
members; they meet at fixed times for devotions. A member is
called a SODALIST.

*Sodger* (or *Sojer*), _subs._ (Winchester).—The Latin cross (a
PERCHER, _q.v._) marked against a Præfect’s name when
absent.

1880. _Music of a Merry Heart_, 55. The books went up, and in due time
were returned to us after examination, with the most startling faults
indicated by a good big cross in the margin, which crosses, for some
reason, were known as SODGERS.

*Sodom*, _subs._ (Oxford).—Wadham College.

*Soft-ball*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Tennis.

*Sog*, _subs._ (Charterhouse and Winchester).—Twenty shillings;
a sovereign.

*Solo*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A solitary walk—without a SOCIUS
(_q.v._).

*Soph*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A student of the second or third
year; the distinctions are: A first year man = FRESHMAN
(_q.v._); second year = Junior SOPH; third year = Senior
SOPH.

1870. GOODRICH [WEBSTER, _Unabridged_, s.v. SOPHOMOSE]. This word has
generally been considered an American barbarism, but it was probably
introduced into our country at a very early period from the University
of Cambridge, England. Among the cant terms at that University, as
given in the “_Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_,” we find SOPH-MOR as the next
distinctive appellation to Freshman. It is added that a writer in the
_Gentleman’s Magazine_ thinks Mor an abbreviation of the Greek μωρία,
introduced at a time when the “Encomium Moriæ,” the “Praise of Folly,”
by Erasmus, was so generally used. The ordinary derivation of the
word, from σοφός and μωρός would seem, therefore, to be incorrect. The
young SOPHS at Cambridge appear formerly to have received the adjunct
mor, μωρός, to their names, either as one they courted for the reason
mentioned above, or as one given them in sport for the supposed
exhibition of inflated feeling in entering upon their new honours. The
term thus implied seems to have passed at a very early period from
Cambridge in England to Cambridge in America, as the next distinctive
appellation to Freshmen, and thus to have been attached to the second
of the four classes in our American colleges, while it has now almost
ceased to be known, even as a cant word, at the parent institution in
England from whence it came.

*Sorry*, _intj._ (Winchester).—“I beg your pardon.” [Not now
confined to Winchester.—WRENCH.]

*Soup-ticket*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A card issued to
a boy set down for Saturday afternoon detention: a DETÉN
(_q.v._).

*Spadge*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—An affected walk. Also as
_verb._ Formerly merely “to walk.” [_Cf._ Lat. _spatiari_;
Ger. _spatzieren_.]

*Spange*, _adj._ (Royal Military Academy).—New; elegant; smart:
_e.g._ “to look SPANGE,” “a SPANGE uniform.”

*Sparrow’s-hall*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The old
infirmary. [The head-bailiff was one Sparrow, and here the
servants received their wages from him.]

*Spec*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Something enjoyable or pleasant; a
good thing. ON SPEC = in consequence.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPEC.... What a SPEC! My
pitch-up have turned up, and I’ve got leave-out ON SPEC.

*Speecher*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The speech-day: usually the first
Thursday in July, when prizes are given. Greek, German, or
French plays are acted, and there is also an afternoon
concert. THE SPEECHER = the Speech-room, built in 1871.

*Speedyman*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—The messenger who
brought the news of a vacancy at New College, Oxford. Whence
SPED TO NEW COLLEGE = elected to a scholarship.

*Speg*, _adj._ (Winchester: obsolete).—Smart.

*Spending-house*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A pastry-cook’s: the custom,
until Dr. Arnold abolished it, had been for the boys to take
their morning and evening buttery commons of bread and cold
milk to one of these establishments, and with “extras,” such
as tea, coffee, butter, &c., to obtain a more decent meal
than was otherwise possible.

1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 150. Every boy had a SPENDING-HOUSE,
as it was called, at one of the confectioners’ in High Street, where
he left his books, bat, fishing-rod, &c.—to save a journey to his
boarding-house—and spent his spare cash. It was in the back-yards of
these houses that dogs and guns were kept.

*Spess*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A specimen: a term of contempt.

1889. _Felstedian_, July, 66. Others ... calling out ... frightful
SPESSES, which word is in our language “specimens”; but as this is too
long for their memories, they have shortened it.

*Spin*, _verb_ (Royal Military Academy).—To reject: as to an
examination; to pluck; to plough.

*Spink*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Milk: specifically,
condensed milk.

*Spinning-house*, _subs._ (University).—The prison of the
Vice-Chancellor’s court.

*Spital Sermons* (Christ’s Hospital).—Once the chief feature of
the Easter festivities of this ancient foundation. _See_
Appendix.

1834. TROLLOPE, _History of Christ’s Hospital_ [condensed and
annotated by the editor of _The Blue_]. All Easter festivities
connected with the School seem to be concentrated in the SPITAL
SERMONS. The great antiquity of those discourses may be judged from
the fact, that at the Easter following the foundation and opening of
the School [1552], its members were present at St. Mary Spital. At
this their first appearance at the Spital the boys appeared in that
costume which, with the exception of the hats, still distinguishes
them. A custom had long prevailed, according to which some learned
person was appointed yearly by the Bishop of London to preach at
Paul’s Cross on Good Friday on the Passion; and on the Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday following, three others were appointed in like
manner to uphold the doctrine of the Resurrection, at the Pulpit Cross
in the Spital. On the Sunday following, a fifth preached at Paul’s
Cross, passed judgment on the merits of those who had preceded him,
and concluded the ceremony with an appropriate exhortation from
himself. What this passing of judgment meant, and what purpose it
served, is rather hard to decide. It would almost seem as if some
prize or reward were offered for the best sermon. The SPITAL SERMONS
are certainly the oldest institution of their kind in London, and
probably in England. But they have naturally been subject to great
changes. At first there were five, two at Paul’s Cross and three at
St. Mary Spital. Many alterations followed; for instance, the Great
Rebellion put an end for a time both to pulpit and sermons, until the
Restoration, when they were revived, that is, the three SPITAL SERMONS
proper (for the judge disappears) at St. Bride’s Church, which still
stands in Fleet Street. Nothing interrupted them again until 1797,
when the preachers once more were removed to Christ’s Church, where
the SERMONS, now only two in number, have been regularly delivered,
until within the memory of many still in the school [1890] the
Corporation reduced their number to a minimum; and now one SPITAL
SERMON instead of five is listened to, not at St. Mary Spital, or
Paul’s Cross, or St. Bride’s, but at Christ Church, Newgate Street.
Though the scene has not changed since 1797, the accompanying ceremony
has been sadly mutilated. In my [Mr. Trollope’s] time, instead of the
subjects which were wont to be discussed from the Pulpit Cross of St.
Mary Spital, discourses were delivered commemorative of the five
Sister Hospitals of Christ’s Hospital, St. Thomas’, St. Bartholomew’s,
Bridewell, and Bethlehem. This feature has almost entirely
disappeared; the reverend preachers now pass by, or casually mention,
the original reason for their presence in the handsome pulpit of
Christ Church. “On each day the boys of Christ’s Hospital, with the
legend ‘He is risen’ attached to their left shoulder, form part of the
Civic procession; walking on the first day in the order of their
schools, the King’s boys bearing their nautical instruments.” [These
King’s boys are, of course, the Mathemats, who seem in earlier days,
before the development of the Classical side, and the chances of a
University career, to have been the most prominent part of the
School.] They assembled on Monday in the Square of the Royal Exchange,
and on their return were joined by the Lord Mayor and Civic
procession, with the ladies. On Tuesday they proceeded direct to the
Mansion House; each boy received a new sixpence, each monitor a
shilling, and each Grecian half a guinea. [It appears that Alderman
Thomson, whose portrait hangs in the Hall, whose name is engraven on
the walls of the Hospital, and to whom we owe the Classical and
Mathematical Medals, doubled the donation in every case, and his
successors have not returned to the original amount.] The boys were
again followed by the Civic authorities, without the ladies, to Christ
Church, where a Junior Bishop preached on Monday, and a clergyman
selected by the Lord Mayor (usually his chaplain) on Tuesday. But the
most interesting feature of all was that on both occasions an anthem
composed by one of the Grecians, and set to music by the organist, was
sung by the children.

*Spite*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To hate: to dislike.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 235. When a
boy suffered some injury himself, in order to spite another person; or
having in some way injured another, received punishment, he was said
to be SPITING GABELL. Dr. Gabell was formerly Head-master, and the
extreme inexpediency of attempting to annoy him gave rise to the
proverb.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPITE. The word in
Wykehamical usage generally connoted the frame of mind rather than the
acts in which it finds expression. But the phrase “to SPITE Gabell”
describes the act popularly known as “cutting off your nose to SPITE
your face.”

*Splice*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To throw; to fling: as a missile.

*Sport*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To spread: as a baulk (or report);
to wear: as clothes; to provide: as a feast; to indulge in:
as smoking, walking, &c.—a general verb of action. Whence
SPORTING ACTION = an affected manner, gesture, or gait, or
betrayal of emotion. [_Sport_ (var. dial.) = to show, to
exhibit.]

*Sportings*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Clothes worn at the EXEAT
(_q.v._).

1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, p. 102. The splendour of Exeat garb defies
description. It is enough to say that the Carthusian’s apparel then is
as costly as his purse will buy, and that he calls it SPORTINGS.

*Spree*, _adj._ (Winchester).—(1) Conceited; stuck-up: of
persons. (2) Smart; stylish; befitting a Wykehamist: of
dress, &c. [_Spree_ (Devon) = spruce, gay.]

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 72. At the
end of the half year we used to have large entertainments called
“SPREE MESSES,” between Toy-time and Chapel, consisting of tea,
coffee, muffins, cakes, &c., the funds for which were generally
provided by fines inflicted during Toy-time for talking loud, slamming
the door, coming in without whistling (to show that it was not a
Master entering), improper language, &c. &c. Sometimes a SPREE MESS
was given by the boys about to leave at the end of that Half.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPREE.... As applied to
juniors, uppish; inclined to assume airs, or usurp privileges not
belonging to juniors. As applied to acts, permissible only to prefects
or those of senior standing.

*Spreeman*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A Junior who has to fag hard.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPREEMAN. A Commoner
Inferior, who, in consideration of his social status or long standing
in the School, was invested by Præfects with privileges similar to
those enjoyed by Candle-keepers in College.

*Squab* (or *Squob*), _verb_ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—To squeeze
by. [The foot is placed against a wall or desk, and the back
against the victim, who is similarly treated from the
opposite side by some one else, or pressed against a wall.]
Hence SQUAB-UP = “push,” generally. [_Squab_ (Devon) = to
squeeze, to knock, to beat.]

*Square.* TO SQUARE ROUND, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To make
room: as at a fire, &c.

*Squash*, _subs._ 1. (Stonyhurst).—A mellay (at football) of the
two sides round the goal-posts. A goal secured in this way
is called a “squash-goal.” Also Harrow.

1876. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Harrow], p. 312. The gravel cut
the leather case of the ball occasionally, as well as the hands and
faces of those who scrambled over it in a SQUASH, as that close
_mêlée_ is called, which Rugby men know as a “scrummage,” and Etonians
as a “rouge.”

1885. _Stonyhurst Mag._, i. 144. The second law on the Code enacts
that “no one may push, pull, charge, or trip another player.” How then
is a SQUASH GOAL to be accounted for?

2. (Harrow).—A game of racquets not played with a HARDER
(_q.v._), but with an indiarubber ball, which is also called
a SQUASH.

*Squashed-flies.* _See_ FLIES.

*Squeaky*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—High-pitched: of the
voice. _Cf._ GRUFF.

1844. _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_ [_The Blue_, Aug. 1874]. The
voices, in our own peculiar phraseology, being divided into two
classes—those who sang SQUEAKY and those who sang GRUFF. The monitors
were constantly on the look-out for boys with SQUEAKY voices, and did
any youth make himself at all prominent in this respect, down upon him
would pounce the monitor, forthwith to _transpose_ him to the organ
gallery, there to submit his musical abilities to a trial by the
organist. The latter was an elderly gentleman, inclined at times to be
rather irritable.

*Squealer*, _subs._ (Wellington).—A small boy.

*Squirm* (or *Squirt*), _subs._ (general).—An obnoxious boy.

*Squish*, _subs._ 1. (general).—Marmalade.

2. (Winchester).—Weak tea.

*Squo*, _adj._ (Charterhouse).—SQUASH (_q.v._); as in
SQUO-court, SQUO-ball, SQUO-bat, &c.

*Stally*, _adj._ (Derby).—Strong [? stalwart].

*Stamp*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Every one is provided with a “school
stamp”; the name is cut on it, and this must be printed on
all books, &c. Above the Second Fifth boys keep their own
stamp.

*Stand.* TO STAND OUT FOR COLLEGE, _verb. phr._
(Westminster).—To enter for a King’s scholarship. Candidates
must be under fifteen years of age, and have been in the
school as a town boy for not less than a year preceding.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 182. Then if he thinks proper
he “STANDS OUT FOR COLLEGE”—or, in the old Latin phraseology, becomes
one of the _minores candidati_. He undergoes a very severe
examination, called the “Challenge” [_q.v._], the form of which must
have been preserved from Queen Elizabeth’s days, and is the last
surviving relic of the old scholastic disputations; those tournaments
of Latin and logic, in which Queen Bess was wont to reward a
successful champion with a purse of gold from her own virgin hand, and
her successor, James, distributed liberally the more economical
guerdon of royal applause and criticism.

*Standing-up Week*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 235.
STANDING-UP WEEK—During the last week of Long Half all the boys,
except Sixth Book and Senior Part, had to say a number of lines by
heart in eight lessons, which they were supposed to have learned in
the course of the previous year; this was called STANDING-UP. Marks
were given according to merit, and these marks had a very material
effect on the respective positions of the boys in their Parts.

*Station.* ON STATION, _adv. phr._ (Westminster).—The
attendance, by juniors, on the games in the “Green” in Great
Dean’s Yard, or, on a rainy day, in College.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 186. The juniors are expected
to remain ON STATION in college for the short intervals after
breakfast and after dinner, and at other times in the playgrounds (the
“Green” in Dean’s Yard or Vincent Square, according to the time of
year or the game that happens to be in season); except on decidedly
wet days, when STATION is always in college.

*Statue* (The), _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A statue of the Virgin
looked after by the boys. They have “Month of May”
devotions, and write “May verses” in her honour.

*Stay.* TO STAY OUT, _verb. phr._ 1. (Eton).—To stay out of
school. _See_ quot.

1883. BRINSLEY-RICHARDS, _Seven Years at Eton_. Sometimes Blazes had a
lazy fit, and put himself on the sick-list for a day. This was called
STAY OUT, for the reason that one had to stay in.

1866-72. “MAC,” _Sketchy Memories of Eton_. Many things at Eton were
called by misnomers, in the construction of which the _lucus a non
lucendo_ principle came out very strong. Thus, when we stayed in, we
said we were STAYING OUT; when “absence” was called, we had to be
_present_; a _third_ of a year was called a _half_, &c. &c.

2. (Rugby).—To go on the sick-list.

*Stedman promo*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—An unexpected (and
probably undeserved) promotion. [Because announced in the
lists printed by Mr. R. B. Stedman, the school bookseller at
Godalming.]

*-ster*, _inseparable suffix_ (Winchester).—The termination
agent: as Brockster, Mugster, Thokester, Quilster, &c.

*Stew*, _verb_ (Stonyhurst).—To study. Whence STEW-POT = a hard
student.

*St. George*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ FOURTH OF JUNE.

1891. _Harry Fludyer_, 120. Well, about the boat procession. It went
off splendid. You know I’m in the ST. GEORGE, and Forker Major—a great
heavy brute—is our captain, and Tipkins is steerer.

*Sticking-up*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 236.
STICKING-UP.—On the last three Fridays of each Half, a boy was
selected by appointment of Commoner Præfects and Course-keeper, and
placed on the top of TOYS (_q.v._) in their Hall, and was pelted with
PONTOS (_q.v._) by the rest. The following PEALS (_q.v._) were chanted
previously, one on each day: “Locks and Keys,” “Boots and Leathers,”
and “Gomer Hats.”

*Stick-ups*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Stand-up, or high collars: as
opposed to “turn-downs.” The rules as to collars are very
intricate, and differ in various Houses. At Charterhouse
STICK-UPS are not permissible until the end of the first
year.

*Stinks*, _subs._ (general).—Chemistry. Also as a nickname for a
lecturer thereon.

*Stizzle*, _verb_ (Tonbridge).—To cane.

*Stodge*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The inside of a roll; the
crumb of new bread.

_Verb_ (Tonbridge).—To hurt.

*Stodger*, _subs._ (Charterhouse and Tonbridge).—A penny bun.

*Stone* (The), _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital: obsolete).—The
Steward’s table in Hall. TO GO TO THE STONE = to go up for
trial, judgment, and sentence for misconduct.

1844. _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_ [_The Blue_, Aug. 1874]. With
respect to misconduct out of school hours, the several monitors were
the police, and the Steward the sole judge. When first appointed, the
young monitors displayed excessive zeal in the discovery of
delinquencies, and would call out with as much severity as it was
possible to throw into the voice of a youth of fourteen, “Go to THE
STONE, you, sir!” “THE STONE” was the name given to the Steward’s
table in the Hall, where offenders were tried, judgment delivered, and
sentence carried out, immediately after meals. The mildest punishment
consisted of caning on the open hand (ironically termed “cakes”), and
next in severity was flogging with the birch (called “brushing”); and
Fate, with a grim sense of humour which we failed to appreciate at the
time, decreed that the head beadle in our time, who was appointed to
administer the said brushings and cakes, should bear the appropriate
name of Honey.

*Stonyhurst-cricket* (or *Football*). _See_ Appendix.

*Stop.* TO STOP OUT, _verb. phr._ (Harrow and Charterhouse).—To
absent oneself from school: at Harrow, through
indisposition.

*Stopping-up*, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An extra time of study
allowed to elder boys when the rest have gone to bed: _e.g._
“I am going to STOPPING-UP to-night.”

*Strangers’ Place*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The
guest-rooms. When a boy had friends staying in the College
he was said to be “in the STRANGERS’ PLACE.” _Cf._ PLACE.

*Straw*,_ subs._ 1. (Harrow).—A straw hat worn by the whole
school all the year round, except on Sundays and at games.
The ELEVEN STRAW = a speckled black-and-white straw hat worn
by the Cricket Eleven.

2. (Rugby).—For two years after his first term (during which
a silk hat or “topper” was _de rigueur_) a boy wears a
black-and-white speckled straw hat with a black ribbon. Each
House has its own distinctive ribbon. At the end of his
third year a boy could “take” his “white straw,” but he was
not expected to do this unless he were a SWELL (_q.v._).

Also _see_ CLEAN STRAW.

*Strawer*, _subs._ (general).—A straw hat.

*Stretch*, _subs._ (University).—A walk.

*Strive*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To write with care: _see_
SCRUB. _E.g._ “Copy this!” “Shall I STRIVE, Sir, or ‘scrub’
it down?”

*Stub*, _verb_ (Felsted).—To kick a football about.

1888. _Felstedian_, Dec., p. 98. Now these hollow globes [footballs]
flying through the air, collide with their sandals, and this colliding
they call STUBBING. _Ibid._ (Nov. 1896, 153). Boys are fined for
STUBBING on a forty higher than their own.

1895. _Felstedian_, June, p. 104. Among plausible etymologies it is
attempted to derive STUB from “the sound made by a stubbed football.”
... But the word STUB deserves to be rescued from its fate. I had
always imagined it to be an East Anglian word for “kick,” but it is,
to the best of my belief, obsolete in England.... A contributor to
_Notes and Queries_, writing on a totally different subject, quoted
the following words from a speech by an American judge: “As a
barefooted boy I STUBBED my chapped toes over a rough New England
farm.” [_Stub_ is commonly dialectical, in the sense of “to grub.”]

*Stuckling*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A kind of flat pastry made of
the current year’s apples and dried currants.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. STUCKLING. An apple pasty,
thin, somewhat half circular in shape, and not made in a dish.

1883. TROLLOPE, _What I Remember_.... STUCKLING was a kind of flat
pastry made of chopped apples and currants. And the speciality of it
was that the apples must be that year’s apples. They used to be sent
up from Devonshire or Cornwall, and sometimes were with difficulty
obtained.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. STUCKLING. A pudding at
Election dinner, made of meat, apple, and carraway.

*Study-place*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A study. _Cf._ PLACE.

*Stuggy*,_ adj._ (general).—Thick-set. [STUGGY (Devon) = thick,
stout.]

*Stumper*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—Small cricket played with a
stump.

*Stumps*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Cricket played with a stump and a
soft ball.

*Styx*, _subs._ (The Leys).—A urinal. _Cf._ HADES.

*Sub-minister*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The superior responsible
for the health of the house. _See_ MINISTER.

*Substance*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ SHADOW.

*Suck*, _subs._ (University).—A parasite; a toady.

*Suction*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Sweetmeats.

*Sudden-death*, _subs._ (University).—A crumpet.

*Sum*, _intj._ (Winchester).—The response at names-calling;
ADSUM (_q.v._).

*Summer Quarter*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—_See_ LONG QUARTER.

*Superann*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Superannuate.

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

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 237.
SUPERANNUATE.—A boy who was obliged to leave at Election, owing to his
being past eighteen years of age. FOUNDERS (_q.v._) were not
SUPERANNUATE till they were twenty-five.

*Surly Hall* (Eton).—A public-house on the right bank of the
Thames, some three and a half miles from Windsor. _See_
FOURTH OF JUNE.

*Sur-master*, _subs._ (Manchester Grammar: obsolete).—The second
master; the “Usher.” [There is now no second in command.]

*Sus*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—The remains of a
Præfect’s tea: a fag’s perquisite.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 237.
SUS.—The Juniors’ tea: generally drunk out of a pint cup when in bed.

*Swank*, _verb_ (general).—To work hard. [O.E. _Swinke_ = to
labour.] Hence SWANKER = a hard worker. _See_ SWINK.

... _MS. Cott. Vespas_, D. vii. f. 3. I SWANK in mi sighing stede, I
sal wasche bi al nyghtes mi bede. _Ibid._, 46. I SWANK criand, haase
made. Chekes mine for pine I hade.

*Swat.* _See_ SWOT.

*Sweat.* _See_ SWOT.

*Sweater*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A servant.

*Sweat-gallery*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Fagging Juniors.

*Swell*, _subs._ 1. (Eton and Harrow). _See_ quot.

18[?]. T. R. OLIPHANT, _Eton College_.... It is very hard to define
exactly what is meant by a SWELL at Eton; but it usually implies a boy
who, brought into notice either by athletic prowess or scholarship, or
high standing in the school, by this means becomes acquainted with the
leading members of the school, and is found on acquaintance to develop
considerable social qualities, which make him hand and glove with all
the Eton magnates.

2. (Rugby).—The word SWELL (says Mr. LEES KNOWLES) had an
indefinite, but well understood, meaning in the school. A
member of the school “twenty,” or “fifteen” as it is now, or
a member of the eleven, was, for instance, a SWELL.

_Verb_ (Winchester).—To bathe; to wash.

*Swells*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Sunday services; Saints’-days,
&c. [When surplices were worn.]

*Swift’s.* _See_ PLANKS.

*Swill*, _verb_ (Shrewsbury).—To take a shower-bath; also
(Winchester) to wash by throwing water over the body.

1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 75, “A Day’s Fagging at Winchester.”
Having taken out the washing-stool, I proceed to call the Senior
Præfect; when he gets up I have to SWILL him (_i.e._ pour a can of
water over his back in his bath), and then rub him down with a towel.

*Swinger*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A box on the ears. _Cf._
_Swinge_ = to lash, to beat. Also SWINGE as _verb_.

1579. _Mariage of Witt and Wisdome._ O, the passion of God! so I
shalbe SWINGED; So, my bones shalbe bang’d! The poredge pot is stolne:
what, Lob, I say, Come away, and be hangd!

1611. COTGRAVE, _Dict._, s.v. DOBER. To beat, SWINGE, lamme,
bethwacke.

1637. DU BARTAS [NARES]. Then often SWINDGING, with his sinnewy train,
Somtimes his sides, somtimes the dusty plain.

[..?..] _Havelok the Dane_ [SKEAT, E.E.T.S. (1868), 214]. An ofte dede
him sore SWINGE, And wit hondes smerte dinge; So that the blod ran of
his fleys, That tendre was, and swithe neys.

*Swink*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To sweat; to work hard. Also as
_subs._ _See_ SWANK.

1579. _Mariage of Witt and Wisdome._ But now I SWINKE and sweate in
vaine, My labour hath no end, And moping in my study still, My
youthfull yeares I spend.

1590. SPENSER, _Faërie Queene_.... Honour, estate, and all this
worlde’s good, For which men SWINCKE and sweat incessantly.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SWINK.... The former [to
sweat] is the primary Wykehamical meaning: SWINK and _sweat_ have
therefore changed places.

*Swipes*, _subs._ 1. (Stonyhurst).—The boy-servant who serves
out beer at dinner.

2. (Harrow).—Supper.

TO BE SWIPED, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—To be birched.

*Swish*, _verb_ (Eton and Charterhouse).—To flog. Hence SWISHING
= a beating.

_c._ 1889. _Illustrated London News._ Flogging, or, as it is called at
Eton, SWISHING, is to be abolished at that aristocratic seminary.

1891. _Harry Fludyer_, 47. He complained of us and Tipkins, and I got
SWISHED the other day.

*Swot* (*Swat* or *Sweat*), _subs._ (general).—Lessons; work:
specifically, mathematics at Royal Military Academy. Also a
hard-working student.

1883. PASCOE, _Everyday Life at Our Public Schools_.... So much for
work or SWOT, as the Harrovian, in common with other boys, somewhat
inelegantly terms the more important part of instruction he receives
at school.

_Verb_ (general).—To work hard: as at lessons.

IN A SWOT, _phr._ (Shrewsbury).—In a rage.

*Syntax*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The upper Fourth Form.

*Tachs*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—A fad; a mental eccentricity.
_See_ HOBBS.

_c._ 1327. _Chester Plays_, ii. 27. For south this harde I hym saye,
That he woulde rise the thirde daye; Nowe suerlye and he so maye, He
hath a wounderous TACHE.

_c._ 1400. _Occleve MS._ [Soc. Ant.], 134, f. 279. And to his fadris
maneris enclyne, And wikkid TACCHIS and vices eschewe.

[..?..] _MS. Cantab_, Ff. i. 6, f. 157. It is a TACCHE of a devouryng
hounde To resseyve superfluyté and do excesse.

_d._ 1565. CHALONER, _Moriæ Euc._, p. 3, _b_. It is a common TATCHE,
naturally gevin to all men, as well as priests, to watche well for
theyr owne lucre.

1612. WARNER, _Albion’s England_, Bk. xiii. p. 318. First Jupiter that
did usurp his father’s throne, Of whom even his adorers write evil
TACHES many an one.

1822. NARES, _Glossary_, s.v. TACHE or TATCH. A blot, spot, stain, or
vice; _tache_, French.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. TACHE.... A quality, or
disposition; a trick; enterprise; boldness of design. (_A.-N._)

_Verb_ (Tonbridge).—To stare at: mostly confined to one
House.

*Tack*, _subs._ (Sherborne).—A feast in one’s study.

*Tag*, _subs._ (Winchester).—An off-side kick: at football. Also
as _verb_.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 237. TAG....
When a player has kicked the ball well forward, and has followed it,
if it was then kicked back again behind him by the other side, he was
then obliged to return to his original position with his own side. If
the ball had, in the meantime, been again kicked in front of him,
before he regained his position, and he was to kick it, it would be
considered unfair, and he would be said TO TAG.

*Tails*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The swallow-tailed coats worn by all
in the Upper School, and (as “charity-tails”) by all in the
Lower School who are considered by the Head of the School to
be tall enough to require them.

*Tank*, _verb_ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—To cane: a rarer word
than COSH (_q.v._). [_Tank_ (Warwicks.) = a blow.]

*Tap* (Eton).—_See_ Appendix.

*Taps.* _See_ TOLLY (sense 2).

*Tardy*, _adv._ (Winchester).—Late: as “I was TARDY TASK”
(_q.v._).

1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 75, “A Day’s Fagging at Winchester.” That
done I return to chambers, fling on my gown, which I am obliged to
keep off till the last moment as a sign of servitude to shew that I am
only a junior, and then scramble in to chapel somehow, very likely
late, with an impot in store from my form master, and a licking from
the præfect in my chamber for being TARDY, though as likely as not he
was himself the cause of it.

*Task*, _subs._ (Winchester).—All kinds of composition other
than an Essay or Vulgus.

*Tatol*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A tutor in Commoners. These came
into course in alternate weeks, their duties being to
preside at meals, Toys (_q.v._) and names-calling, and to go
round galleries at 9.15.

*Tavern* (The), _subs._ (Oxford).—New Inn Hall. [From its title,
“New Inn,” and also because the buttery is open all day, and
the members of the Hall can call for what they please at any
hour, the same as in a tavern.]

*Tawse*, _subs._ (Scots: general).—A leather strap used in
Scotland instead of the cane. [_Tawse_ (North) = a piece of
tanned leather.]

*Team*, _subs._ (University).—The pupils of a private tutor or
coach.

*Teddy-hall*, _subs._ (Oxford).—St. Edmund’s Hall.

*Teejay* (or *Tege*), _subs._ (Winchester).—A new-comer under
the charge of an older scholar, who also instructs him in
NOTIONS (_q.v._). Also as _verb_. [That is, _Protégé_.]

*Teek*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Mathematics. _See_ TIQUE.

*Temple*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A niche in Mead’s Wall.

1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life in our Public Schools_.... On the last
night of term there is a bonfire in Ball Court, and all the TEMPLES or
miniature architectural excavations in Mead’s Wall are lighted up with
candle-ends.

*Ten-o’clock Recreation*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—Still keeps
its name, though now for some years it comes nearly an hour
later.

*Tepe*, _verb_ (Durham: obsolete).—To smoke: a lane near School
was called Tepe Lane.

*Terrace, The* (Harrow).—The terrace below the chapel, towards
the Footer-fields.

*Tertian*, _subs._ (Aberdeen).—A student in the third class.

*Tetra*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A “record”: TO GO BEYOND
THE TETRA = to beat the record. [A stuttering pronunciation
of, some say, “tremendous,” others, “extraordinary.”] _See_
Appendix.

*Thick*, _subs._ (Winchester and Rugby).—A stupid fellow. Also
as _adj._

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, I. vii. What a THICK I was to
come! Here we are, dead beat, and yet I know we’re close to the run
in, if we knew the country.

*Thicker*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Thucydides: translated in the Upper
School.

*Third Elevens* (or *Thirders*), _subs._ (Harrow).—A house
SECOND ELEVEN (_q.v._) playing another house Second Eleven
at football.

*Third-guarder*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ GUARDER.

*Thoke*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Rest; lying in bed. Hence
as _verb_ = to lie in bed late. [Prov. Eng. _thoky_ =
sluggish.] Whence TO THOKE UPON = to anticipate with
pleasure; THOKESTER = an idler.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. THOKISH. Slothful; sluggish.
_East._ In Lincolnshire it is usually THOKY.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. THOKE. I’m THOKING ON next
week: what a THOKE it will be, with a Leave-out-day, a Hatch-THOKE,
and a half remedy.

1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 465. He attributed his
success—or, at any rate, his long survival—to the art of “THOKING”—in
the vulgar tongue, “slacking”—which he had laboriously acquired during
his first years of office.

*Thoker*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A thick slice of bread soaked in
water and then baked.

*Thos’s-hole*, _subs._ (Rugby). _See_ quot.

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, vii. And so Tom and the
Tadpole, in night-shirts and trousers, started off downstairs, and
through “THOS’S-HOLE,” as the little buttery, where candles and beer
and bread and cheese were served out at night, was called, across the
School-house court.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 367. “THOS” [Thomas Woobridge]
the well-remembered old school-house servitor, being mounted on the
leading horse.

*Three.* COME BACK AT THREE, _phr._ (Royal High School,
Edin.).—The formula to signify detention after school hours.

*Threepenny*, _subs._ (general).—A tuck-shop cake of that value.

*Throw*, _verb_ (University).—To master; to succeed: as in a
paper, lesson, examination, examiner, &c.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 98. These blessed exams. are
getting awfully close now, but I think I shall floor mine, and Dick’s
sure to THROW his examiners down.

*Tight*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Fast; hard.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. TIGHT.... A TIGHT bowler,
&c. As superlative adverb now only used in TIGHT junior. TIGHT-snob,
TIGHT-rot, and other such uses are obsolete.

*Tin-gloves*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 54. But
there were other ordeals that were not quite so harmless. Green was
liable to be asked whether he possessed a pair of TIN-GLOVES. As this
article does not generally form part of a boy’s outfit, Bully would
proceed to furnish him with a pair in the following manner:—Taking a
half consumed stick from the fire, he would draw the “red-hot end”
down the back of Green’s hand between each of the knuckles to the
wrist, and having produced three satisfactory lines of blisters would
then make two or three transverse lines across. A scientifically
fitted pair of gloves of this description was generally, if not
pleasant wear, of great durability.

*Tin-tab*, _subs._ (Dulwich).—The carpenter’s shop.

*Tip*, _subs._ (Felsted).—1. A false report.

1890. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 3. Some one ventured to suggest that it
was all a beastly TIP.... Many would just like to get hold of the
fellow that started the TIP.