Chapter IX: Part 9

1893. _Felstedian_, Dec., p. 143. Nor is it credible that he stands in
need of those useful and entertaining scraps of general information to
which we apply the term “TIPS” in our ordinary conversation.

1895. _Felstedian_, April, p. 45. TIP.—“Tip” and “tip-spreading,”
expressing with that brevity which is the soul of wit, our horror of
scandal and scandal-mongering, again defy analysis.

2. (Felsted).—A foolish mistake in translating, &c.

*Tipping*, _adj._ (general).—First-rate; jolly.

*Tique*, _subs._ (Harrow).—(1) Arithmetic; and (2) mathematics.
[From a French master’s peculiar English pronunciation.]

*Tish*, _subs._ (Royal Military College).—A partition; a
cubicle.

*Tit.* _See_ ’VARSITY-TIT.

*Titch*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A flogging. Also as _verb_
[Onomatopœia]. _See_ Appendix.

*Tizzy-poole*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A fives ball
[costing 6d., and sold by a head porter named Poole.]

*Toad*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—In College a piece of
hot toast put into beer.

*Toe-fit-tie*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—_See_ quot.

1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 84, “A Day’s Fagging at Winchester.” I
remember now; it was that brute A—— who “to FITTI”-ed me last
night.... For the benefit of the uninitiated let me explain the _modus
operandi_ and its etymology: it is nothing more or less than the
commencement of a line in the old familiar “_As in præsenti perfectum,
format in avi_,” which we used to learn, “_to fit-ti_,” in reference
to verbs of the third conjugation, transferred from the similarity of
sound to the school-boy’s toe; it consisted in tying a running noose
on a piece of string, cunningly turning up the bed-clothes at the
foot, putting it round the big toe of an unconscious sleeper, running
the noose up tight, and pulling till the victim followed the direction
of string from the pain, getting farther and farther out of bed and
nearer and nearer the floor, till mercifully released.

*Togger*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A TORPID (_q.v._) boat-race.

1894. _Felstedian_, Dec., p. 181. Wiltshire will probably row in one
of the University TOGGERS next term.

1896. _Tonbridgian_, No. 339, 1124. Rowland rowed in the TOGGER, fifth
on the river.

*Toke*, _verb_ (The Leys).—To be lazy; to “loaf.”

*Told.* TO BE TOLD, _verb. phr._ (Tonbridge).—To obtain one’s
colours in a school team.

*Tolly*, _subs._ 1. (general).—A candle. [From _tallow_.] _Cf._
BROLLY, YOLLY, &c.

2. (Stonyhurst).—The flat instrument for administering
punishment on the hand: the maximum is “twice nine.”
Sometimes called TAPS (_q.v._): _e.g._ “I’ve to get TAPS
to-night.”

TO TOLLY UP, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—To surreptitiously light
candles after gas is out.

*Tom*, _subs._ (Oxford).—The great bell of Christ Church. [It
tolls 101 times each evening at ten minutes past nine
o’clock (there being 101 students on the foundation), and
marks the time for the closing of the College gates. “TOM”
is one of the lions of Oxford. It formerly belonged to
Oseney Abbey, and weighs about 17,000 pounds, being more
than double the weight of the great bell of St. Paul’s.]

*Tommy*, _subs._ (Dublin).—A sham shirt-front. [From the Greek
τομή, a section.]

*Tonkabout*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The hitting up of catches
at cricket: said to be a BODEITE (_q.v._) term.

*Toot* (or *Tout*), _verb_ (Royal High School, Edin.).—To treat
to lunch. [Recently introduced by a boy from New Zealand.
Originally shout, then tout, whence TOOT. “Shout” = to stand
treat.]

*To-pan*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot., and BOILER.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 240.
TOE-PAN.—A large basin of red earthenware placed in each chamber for
washing the feet in.

*Top-side*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A wing at football: the opposite
one to BOTTOM-SIDE (_q.v._).

*Torch-race*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—Formerly, part of
the breaking-up ceremony of the winter half-year. On the
last morning the boys, after early chapel, rushed out of
gates, each bearing a burning birch-broom, up College Street
and along the wall of the Close up to the old White Hart
Inn, where breakfast was prepared before the chaises started
for their various destinations. This curious TORCH-RACE
subsequently gave way to a race of the seniors in sedan
chairs.

*Torpid*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A boy who has not been two years in
the school. There is a cup for the COCK-HOUSE (_q.v._) at
torpids in football.

*Torpids*, _subs._ (Oxford).—(1) The eight-oared spring races;
(2) the boats; and (3) the crews. Also TOGGER.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, II. xii. The Misses Green had the
satisfaction to see their brother pulling in one of the fifteen
TORPIDS that followed immediately in the wake of the other boats.

1889. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 11. After the TORPIDS will come the
Clinker Forms—an institution hitherto unknown in Oxford.

1900. _Westminster Gazette_, 21st Feb., 8. 3. Oxford University
TORPIDS. These races were concluded to-day.

*Tosh*, _subs._ (general).—A foot-tub; a bath. Also, as _verb_ =
to throw water over a person: _e.g._ “He TOSHED his house
beak by mistake, and got three hundred.” Hence TOSH-POND
(Royal Military Academy) = the bathing-pond. [That is,
“toe-wash.”]

*Tosher*, _subs._ (Oxford).—An unattached student.

*Tosh-soap*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Cheese.

*T’other-school*, _subs._ (Winchester).—(1) One’s former school;
and (2) any school not a Public School. Also as _adj._ =
NON-LICET (_q.v._), or unbecoming: because more or less
alien to Winchester.

*T’other-un*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A private school.

*Touch.* TO TOUCH IN, _verb. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—To reach one’s
block: of a batsman when running. _See_ STONYHURST-CRICKET.
[According to the Rules, “The TOUCHING-IN line is within a
bat’s length of the CRICKET-STONE” (_q.v._).]

*Touchy*, _adv._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Rather: _e.g._ TOUCHY a
lux = rather a good thing.

*Tow*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—A run in: at hare and hounds.

1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life at our Public Schools_.... After that
last “all up,” there is a TOW or continuous run of from one to three
miles.

*Town and Gown*, _sub. phr._ (University).—The townsmen _v._ the
members of the University. [In her young days the position
of the University was one of perpetual conflict—with the
town, the Jews, the Friars, and the Papal Court.]

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, II. iii. TOWN AND GOWN disturbances
are of considerable antiquity. Fuller and Matthew Paris give accounts
of some which occurred as early as the year 1238. These disputes not
unfrequently terminated fatally to some of the combatants. One of the
most serious TOWN AND GOWN rows on record took place on the day of St.
Scholastica the Virgin, February 10, 1345, when several lives were
lost on either side. The University was at that time in the Lincoln
diocese; and Grostête, the bishop, placed the townspeople under an
interdict, from which they were not released till 1357, and then only
on condition that the mayor and sixty of the chief burgesses should on
every anniversary of the day of St. Scholastica, attend St. Mary’s
Church and offer up mass for the soul of the slain scholars, and
should also individually present an offering of one penny at the high
altar. They, moreover, paid a yearly fine of 100 marks to the
University, with the penalty of an additional fine of the same sum for
every omission in attending at St. Mary’s. This continued up to the
time of the Reformation, when it gradually fell into abeyance. In the
fifteenth year of Elizabeth, however, the University asserted their
claim to all arrears. The matter being brought to trial, it was
decided that the town should continue the annual fine and penance,
though the arrears were forgiven. The fine was yearly paid on the 10th
of February up to our own time; the mayor and chief burgesses attended
at St. Mary’s and made the offering at the conclusion of the litany,
which, on that occasion, was read from the altar. This was at length
put an end to by Convocation in the year 1825.

1899. HEYWOOD, _Guide to Oxford_. The TOWN AND GOWN rows, as occasions
for displays of physical force, lasted until quite recent times, as
readers of _Verdant Green_ and _Tom Brown at Oxford_ will know.
Nowadays, however, they are happily unknown.

*Townee* (or *Towner*), _subs._ (general).—_See_ CAD.

*Towney* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ HOUSEY.

1887. _The Blue_, Nov. Thus, a little farther on, mention is made of
the time when a boy leaves the School. The consequent change of dress
might be vulgarly expressed by “exchanging HOUSEYS FOR TOWNEYS,” but
our author is before all things refined. “The boy is at liberty to
exchange the garb of the house for one more congenial to modern
taste.”

*Town-lout*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A scholar residing in the town
with his parents.

*Toys*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A bureau—desk and book-case
combined. Whence TOY-TIME (or TOYS) = evening preparation
(in College) and (in Commoners) all time so spent.

1440. _Prompt. Parv._ _Teye_, of a cofyr or forcer.

1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life in our Public Schools_. The clock
striking seven each junior retires to his TOYS or bureau for an hour
and a half, during what is known as TOYTIME, when the work of the next
morning and the week’s composition have to be prepared.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. TOYS.... The expression
TOY-TIME suggests that the “s” has been added. If TOYS has not
descended from this word [teye], it must have been transferred from
the contents of the toys, and mean simply _one’s belongings_.

*Trades*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quot. and
PUBLIC-SUPPING.

1900. _Daily Telegraph_, 16th March, “London Day by Day.” After the
boys had concluded their simple repast of tea and bread-and-butter,
they formed up two-and-two, and bowed to the Lord Mayor, the different
wards being headed by the TRADES, as the boys who carry the
candlesticks, the bread-basket, table-cloth, and cutlery are termed.

*Travelling-scholarship* (or *Fellowship*), _subs._
(University).—RUSTICATION (_q.v._).

*Treacle-bolly*, _subs._ (Marlborough). A walk by the Kennett
close to the College. [So called from the cottage of a
miller so nick-named.]

*Tree of Knowledge, The* (Charterhouse).—The tree under which
books, &c., are piled in the interval between second school
and dinner (say 12.30 to 1.15), while run-about in winter
and cricket-nets or position drill in summer is engaged in.

*Treer*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—A boy who avoids organised
games, but plays a private game with one or two friends.
[Presumably because played by the trees at the side of the
ground.]

*Trek*, _verb_ (Durham).—To run.

*Trencher*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester).—A square wooden platter: in
use in College.

2. (general).—A college cap; a MORTAR-BOARD (_q.v._).

*Trial*, _subs._ (Harrow).—An examination. Whence TRIALS = the
examinations at the end of the summer and winter terms.

*Tribune*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A large pew in
ante-chapel: reserved for ladies.

*Tripos*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A word dating from the sixteenth
century, and used successively in a number of different
senses. At first it was applied to the stool on which the
champion of the University sat at the disputations held at
the admission of Bachelors of Arts to their degree; then it
was transferred to the Bachelor himself; still later to the
humorous, or, in some cases, scurrilous, speech with which
“Mr. Tripos” opened the proceedings, and to the verses of
the Bachelors at the Acts. The honours-lists were printed
(about 1847-8) on the backs of these verses, and so
tripos came to mean an honour-list, and, last of all, the
examination itself. Until the year 1824 there was only one
tripos, the Mathematical; and up to 1850 only those who had
obtained honours in mathematics were admitted to the
Classical examination. The degree was not given for that
examination till a few years later.

1877. WORDSWORTH, _Scholæ Academicæ_, 20. Such interest as is now
attached to them belongs rather to the verses than to the list of the
several TRIPOSES (for the name has now at last come to signify degree
examinations) which have been circulated already severally.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 9. I’m seriously thinking of
chucking my TRIPOS and taking up the History Special.

*Trotter*, _subs._ (University).—A tailor’s assistant who goes
on round for orders.

*Truck-house*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The Recreation
rooms.

1882. _Stonyhurst Mag._, i. 12, “Rummagings amongst our Records.”
Grammar and Great Figures on their Declamation day ... were exempted
from studies and allowed something of a collation in the TRUCK-HOUSE.

*Tub*, _subs._ 1. (University).—A boat broad in the beam, used
by novices. Hence TUBBING = boating; to GET TUBBED = to be
taught to row.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_.... So to the river he next day went,
and made his first essay in a TUB.

1889. _Morning Advertiser._ If “up” at the University, we will
probably pass our time between “grinding hard” and TUBBING on the
river.

1898. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Dec., p. 149, “Life at Oxford.” Rowing is
naturally a great attraction to many freshmen, and every College is
always on the look-out for new oarsmen. What one does is to get
“TUBBED,” that is, one is taught to row by members of the College
eight in boats that are too TUB-like to be easily capsized.

2. (Winchester).—A chest in Hall into which DISPARS (_q.v._)
not taken by the boys were put.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 79. In front
of the screen stood “TUB,” from which the Præfect of that Ilk took his
title; it was a strong painted oak chest, with a lid, about two feet
high.... As will be seen, it was simply impossible for the Juniors to
be up to time, the consequence of which was that more than half the
dinners were not taken; these were thrown into “TUB” at the end of
Hall, whence they were ultimately taken away by some poor women, and I
always understood (though I am not certain that such was the case)
that the “Præfect of TUB” got a certain sum for each “Dispar” not
taken, and so had a direct interest in managing that as many as
possible should go without their dinner. I will now explain the
absence of the Juniors; immediately the Præfects were seated, the
whole Hall resounded with shouts of “Junior—Junior—Junior,” rising in
savageness of tone, as the supply became exhausted; in five minutes
all the Juniors were darting wildly about in all directions, executing
orders received from their lords and masters; some to Colson’s hatch
for salt, or down in the cellar for beer, back to school for something
forgotten, into chambers for a pint cup, down to the kitchen for
gravy, &c. &c.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 23. Until the last few years
the “præfect of TUB” (whose duty it was to examine the quality of the
meat sent in by the college butcher, and after dinner to see to the
proper collection and distribution of the remains) retained his title.

*Tub-mess*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The table at which the Senior
Præfects sat in Hall.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Tuck*, _subs._ (general).—Edibles of all kinds, but
particularly pastry. Hence TUCK-SHOP = a pastry-cook’s.

*Tuck-parcel*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A hamper from home: the
word is now becoming obsolete.

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, I. vi. Come along down to
Sally Harrowell’s; that’s our school-house TUCK-SHOP. She bakes such
shining murphies. _Ibid._ The slogger looks rather sodden, as if he
didn’t take much exercise and ate too much TUCK.

*Tug*, _subs._ (Eton).—A Colleger; a scholar on the foundation.
Whence TUGGERY = College.

1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life in our Public Schools_.... The long
looked-for St. Andrew’s Day arrives, when the great match of
collegers, or, as the small oppidan would term it, TUGS, and oppidans
is to be played.

1883. BRINSLEY-RICHARDS, _Seven Years at Eton_.... My interlocutor was
a red-headed freckled little boy of eleven, who had come from Aberdeen
“to try for TUGGERY,” that is, to try and pass in to the foundation as
a King’s Scholar.

1890. _Great Public Schools_, 52. The Collegers did not always fare as
bravely as they do now, either at board or bed. Terrible tales of
their manner of life may be read.... Perhaps the recollections of that
time caused the disrespect, almost bordering on contempt, with which
the Oppidans used for many years to regard the _Togati_, or
gown-wearing boys. [_Note._—I suppose there is not much doubt that the
nickname of TUG by which the Collegers used to go among the rest of
the school, was derived from the _toga_ they wore.]

_Adj._ (Winchester) = stale; ordinary; vapid; common. Whence
TUGS = stale news; TUG-CLOTHES = everyday clothes; TUG-JAW =
wearisome talk.

*Tui*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Tuition.

*Tumbies*, _subs._ (University).—Ablutions.

*Tund*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To thrash. Whence TUNDING = a
thrashing. [Lat. _tundere_.]

1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life in Our Public Schools_.... I never heard
of any case in Eton like the TUNDING which, some years ago, brought
our mother-school into disagreeable notice.

1883. TROLLOPE, _What I Remember_.... It was the prefect of hall who
ordered the infliction of a public TUNDING.... The following simple
and truthful statement of what a public TUNDING was may enable those
who take an interest in the matter to form some reasonable opinion
whether the infliction of such punishment were a good or a bad
thing.... Some dozen or so of boys, who had the best capacities for
the performance, were appointed by him for the purpose, and the whole
assembly stood around the daïs, while the hymn _Te de profundis_ was
sung. When all were thus assembled, and before the singers commenced,
the culprit who had been sentenced to a TUNDING stepped out, pulled
off his gown, and received from the hands of one deputed by the
“prefect of hall,” and armed with a tough, pliant, ground-ash stick, a
severe beating.

_c._ 1890. _Punch_ [Confession by a Wykehamist]. I like to be TUNDED
twice a day, And swished three times a week.

*Turf*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester).—The pitch: at cricket. The
field is “long grass.”

2. (Felsted).—The cricket-field.

1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 75. There are (or were) six cricket
pitches on TURF.

_Verb._ 1. (Derby).—To send to bed at bed-time: used of
Præpostors.

2. (Marlborough).—To chastise.

*Turl* (The), _subs._ (Oxford).—Turl Street. [Formerly a narrow
opening through the city wall into the High Street.]

*Turn.* TO TURN UP, _verb. phr._ (Marlborough).—To chastise:
with cane, stick, or fives-bat.

TO BE TURNED, _verb. phr._ (Harrow and Dulwich).—To be
ploughed in a _vive voce_ translation lesson.

*Twank*, _verb_ (Durham).—To cane. _See_ LAM and YARK. [_Twank_
(East) = to give a smart slap with the flat of the hand.]

*Tweaker*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A catapult.

*Twelve.* AFTER TWELVE, _subs. phr._ (Eton).—From noon till two
P.M.

1861. WHYTE-MELVILLE, _Good for Nothing_, p. 39. I used to visit him
regularly in the dear old college from the AFTER TWELVE.

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.

1883. BRINSLEY-RICHARDS, _Seven Years at Eton_. Croppie, who
abominated all laws and delighted in transgressions, resolved to go to
the fair, and without difficulty he persuaded the Pug and me to join
him. One day AFTER TWELVE the three of us passed over Windsor Bridge
in the same condition as the “bold adventurers” alluded to in Gray’s
Ode.

THE TWELVE, _subs._ (Harrow).—_See_ quot., and Appendix.

1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 446. The working system of the
school has lately been slightly altered. Above the two sixth forms
there has been placed a Head-master’s “TWELVE,” with the object of
training the first TWELVE on the classical side for ’Varsity life.
They are only in school about three hours a day, but have to get
through a tough amount of work at their leisure.

*Twelve Apostles*, _subs._ 1. (Cambridge).—The last twelve in
the Mathematical Tripos.

1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v. PLUCK.... These unfortunate fellows
are designated by many opprobrious appellations, such as the TWELVE
APOSTLES, the Legion of Honour, Wise Men of the East, &c.

2. (Stonyhurst).—The twelve first Stonyhurst boys.

1887. _Stonyhurst Mag._, iii. 90. Stonyhurst boys of all past times
since the coming of the original “TWELVE APOSTLES” ... will have
noticed once a year, about Eastertide, a curious notice ... giving
warning of an approaching meeting of the Court Leet.

*Twenty* (The), _subs._ (Rugby).—The Sixth Form.

*Twenty-two and Twenty-two*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester:
obsolete).—Football: twenty-two a side.

*Twig* (The), _subs._ (Marlborough: obsolete).—The Head-master.
[In whose authority rested the use of the birch.]

*Twilight*, _subs._ (general).—Toilet.

*Twist* (or *Twoster*), _subs._ (Winchester).—A stick spirally
marked by a creeper having grown round it.

*Ulula*, _subs._ (Manchester Grammar).—The school magazine. [The
Owl is the school crest, as it was that of the founder, Hugh
Oldham, Bishop of Exeter.]

*Under Fire* (Westminster).—_See_ UPPER FIRE.

*Under-green* (Charterhouse).—Formerly the present big or match
football ground: now the Under’s cricket-ground.

*Under School* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Under Selectæ* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Union*, _subs._ (University).—An undergrad’s debating society.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 15. I think I shall speak at the
UNION soon.... I tried on Tuesday last, but I couldn’t catch the
President’s eye.

*Univ*, _subs._ (Oxford).—University College.

*Up*, _adv._ (Harrow).—In school. TO BE UP TO ANY ONE AT SECOND
SCHOOL = to go to any one for work at 10 or 11 o’clock.

*Upper Club* (Eton).—_See_ PLAYING-FIELDS.

*Upper (Middle, or Under) Fire*, _subs._ (Westminster).—The
three fire-places, under former arrangements, in the present
dormitory.

*Upper School*, _subs._ (Harrow).—In 1770 (the first year of the
printed BILLS (_q.v._) of the school) the school comprised
the monitors—their numbers varied from four to ten—the Fifth
Form, the Shell, and the Fourth and Third Forms: these
ranked as the UPPER SCHOOL. The UNDER SCHOOL was divided in
a very peculiar fashion; there was first the “Scan and
Prove” class, then the “Ovid,” the “Phædrus,” the “Upper
Selectæ,” “Under Selectæ,” “Nomenclature,” “Grammar,” and
“Accidence.”... At present there are, besides the monitors
(fifteen in number), an Upper and Lower Sixth, three
separate divisions of the Fifth, two “Removes,” three
“Shells,” and three Fourths. On the Modern Side are one
Sixth, three Fifths, one “Remove,” three Shells, and three
Fourths.

*Upper Selectæ* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Upper Sixpenny* (Eton).—_See_ PLAYING-FIELDS.

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

*Vac*, _subs._ (University).—Vacation.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 2. I can’t make out why the Pater
is always so crusty about Rover. He told me every day last VAC he
wouldn’t have his house over-run with dogs.

*Valet*, subs. (Winchester).—Every Præfect had a Junior in
Chambers who acted in this capacity, made his tea or coffee,
carried his things through from Chambers to School and back
again, and looked after him in general.—MANSFIELD (_c._
1840).

*Varmint*, _adj._ (old University).—Good; spruce.

*Varmint-man*, _subs._ (Cambridge: obsolete). _See_ quots.

1803. _Gradus ad Cantab._ A VARMINT-MAN spurns a scholarship, would
consider it a degradation to be a Fellow.

1827. _Alma Mater...._ The handsome man, my friend and pupil, was
naturally enough a bit of a swell, or VARMINT-MAN.

*’Varsity*, _subs._ (Oxford and Cambridge).—The accepted
corruption of University.

*’Varsity-tit* (or *Tit*), subs. (Durham).—A student of Durham
University: in contempt.

*Varying*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A VULGUS (_q.v._) done UP TO
BOOKS (_q.v._).

*Vaseline*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Butter.

*Vaughan, The* (Harrow).—The school library: named after Dr.
Vaughan.

*Verites* (Charterhouse).—A boarding-house. [A corruption of
Oliverites, after Dr. Oliver Walford, 1838-55.]

*Vessel*, subs. (Winchester).—The eighth of a sheet of
LONG-PAPER (_q.v._).—[HALLIWELL.] Ital. _vassiola_.

*Vex*, _adv._ (Christ’s Hospital).—“So much the worse for”:
_e.g._ “VEX FOR YOU.” _Cf._ CHAFF.

*Vic*, _intj._ (Felsted).—An exclamation giving warning of a
master’s approach; the equivalent of _cave_, which is not
used at Felsted. Also TO KEEP VIC.

*Vice* (The), _subs._ (University).—The Vice-Chancellor.

*Vile-child*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot., and Appendix.

1866-72. _Sketchy Memories of Eton...._ Being called a VILE-CHILD, the
which I subsequently learnt was a very frequent term of mild reproach,
and had no particular reference to the age of the individual to whom
it was addressed. As a proof of this I may add that, being at Eton for
the Winchester Match in 1883, I (_moi-qui-vous-parle_, height 6 feet 2
inches, and weight 14 stone 7 lbs.) was called a VILE-CHILD for being
on a committee to oppose a certain obnoxious Indian Bill! I wasn’t
sorry when tea was over, although many most pleasant evenings did I
afterwards spend in that room.

*Vocab*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A vocabulary.

*Vol*, _adj._ (Harrow).—Voluntary: _e.g._ VOL-GYM.

*Voluntary*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A copy of verses written
occasionally by some of the boys in Sixth Book and Senior
Part _ex proprio motu_.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Vulgus*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A Latin epigram: four
or six lines long. Hence VULGUS-BOOK = a CRIB (_q.v._).

1883. TROLLOPE, _What I Remember_.... The mention of a VULGUS requires
some explanation. Every inferior, _i.e._ non-prefect, in the school
was required every night to produce a copy of verses of from two to
six lines on a given theme—four or six lines for the upper classes,
two for the lowest. This was independent of a weekly verse task of
greater length, and was called a VULGUS, I suppose, because
everybody—the VULGUS—had to do it.

1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, II. iii. The VULGUS (commonly
supposed to have been established by William of Wykeham at Winchester,
and imported to Rugby by Arnold more for the sake of the lines which
were learnt by heart with it than for its own intrinsic value, as I’ve
always understood), ... is a short exercise in Greek or Latin verse,
on a given subject, the minimum number of lines being fixed for each
form.... At Rugby VULGUS and lines were the first lesson every other
day in the week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; and ... it is
obvious ... that the master of each Form had to set one hundred and
fourteen subjects every year.... Now, human nature being prone to
repeat itself, it will not be wondered that the masters gave the same
subjects sometimes over again after a certain lapse of time. To meet
and rebuke this bad habit of the masters, the school-boy mind, with
its accustomed ingenuity, had invented an elaborate system of
tradition. Almost every boy kept his own VULGUS written out in a book
... duly handed down from boy to boy, till ... popular boys, in whose
hands bequeathed VULGUS-BOOKS have accumulated, are prepared with
three or four VULGUSES on any subject in heaven or earth, or in “more
worlds than one,” which an unfortunate master can pitch upon.... The
only objection to the traditionary method of doing your VULGUSES was,
the risk that the successions might have become confused, and so that
you and another follower of traditions should show up the same
identical VULGUS some fine morning; in which case, when it happened,
considerable grief was the result.

*Waffle*, _verb_ (Durham).—To talk nonsense. [North dial.
_waffle_ = to wave, to fluctuate; _waffler_ (Camb.) = a
person who is very weak; _waffy_ (Linc.) = insipid.]

*Walking-days*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—Several days
allowed to a new boy during which he was initiated into the
ways of the house by an old boy.

*Wall*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot.

1890. _Great Public Schools_, 26. There are, as is well known, two
[football] games played at Eton—one at the WALL, the other in the
FIELD. The first is only played by a very limited number of boys, for
there is but one WALL; the game is of a mysterious and intricate
nature, and the uninitiated spectator cannot as a rule even see how a
point (called a SHY) is obtained. Indeed were it not for the
time-honoured match between Collegers and Oppidans on St. Andrew’s
Day, the game would probably become obsolete.... The Eton FIELD game
has, in the opinion of the writer [the Rev. Sydney R. James], merits,
as a game for boys, superior to those of any other kind of football.
In it speed and skilful dribbling and accurate kicking have their due
success, but strength and dogged perseverance and pluck are not left
out in the cold.

_Verb_ (Oxford).—To confine to College.

*Wallyford*, _subs._ (Loretto).—The usual run on a wet whole
school-day: about 3-1/2 miles. _See_ LONG WALLYFORD.

*Wanker*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A bloater. [From
“stinker”—“stwanker”—“wanker.”]

1892. _Felstedian_, Oct., 105. My name it is “WANKER”; a leaner or
lanker, Salter or ranker, fish never swam. _Ibid._, June 1897, p. 100.
He sniffs. “’Eugh, WANKERS again.”

*Warden*, subs. (Winchester).—See quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 27. The
chief of the whole establishment is the WARDEN, who has nothing to do
with the teaching of the boys; he admits and when necessary expels
them, confers on them the dignity of “Præfect,” listens to their
complaints, and, in fact, in all matters appertaining to the
management of the school and the society is omnipotent.

*Wash*, _subs._ (Derby).—School tea or coffee. _See_ ROCK.

*Washing-drawer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—In College, a box to
hold toilet requisites.

*Washing-stool*, _subs._ (Winchester).—In College, a Præfect’s
table.

1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 74, “A Day’s Fagging at Winchester.” I
remember that the Senior Præfect is going to get up to mug early
before chapel, and I have to call him and take his WASHING-STOOL (a
rough wooden table generally used for putting washing basins on,
which, when covered with a cloth, serves as a writing-table) out into
Chamber Court.... Here let me observe that only the præfects have
separate basins to wash in; the juniors use the two stone conduits.

*Watch*, _subs._ (Westminster).—A junior who has to remain in
College during play-hours to answer inquiries, receive
messages, and so forth, performing, in fact, the duties of a
servant.

*Watch.* TO WATCH OUT, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To field: at
cricket.

*Water*, _subs._ (Westminster).—Boating.

1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life in Our Public Schools_. Boating, or
WATER, as it is called at Westminster, is in a very flourishing
condition.

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

*Westminster Customs.* _See_ CAP; CHALLENGE; EARLY; PLAY; MONOS;
PANCAKE; SHADOW; SILVER-PENCE and WESTMINSTER PLAY. Besides
these are others worthy of mention:—

1. THE COLLEGE WAISTCOAT.—A remarkable and original service
was, up to the date of the Public Schools Commission,
exacted of a Westminster junior. He was supposed to be a
treasury of small conveniences for his seniors’ use in and
out of school. He wore a college waistcoat of peculiar
pattern, in the pockets of which he had to carry about and
produce immediately on legal demand—the items are recorded
in the published evidence—two penknives, two pieces of
india-rubber, two pencils, two pieces of sealing-wax, two
pieces of pen-string, two dips (_q.v._), two dip-corks, two
wedges, two pieces of gutta-percha (for putting on the
points of foils), and any number of pens. Besides, he had to
carry a portfolio containing a sufficiency of “quarterns” of
paper.

2. LATIN FORMULÆ.—Quaint old Latin formulæ continued in use
at Westminster, unchanged since its earliest foundation.
While the school is at morning lesson, the _monitor ostii_
(_see_ MONOS) watches the clock, and at half-past eleven
comes to the monitor of school and announces the time. The
monitor goes to the head-master’s desk, makes his bow, and
says, “_Sesqui est undecima_.” At a quarter to twelve he
makes the further announcement, “_Instat duodecima_.”
When twelve o’clock has struck he says again, “_Sonuit
duodecima_;” at a quarter-past twelve, “_Prima quarta acta
est_;” at half-past, “_Sesqui est duodecima_,” at which
welcome words books are shut, and the whole school is
dismissed. The same formalities, with the necessary
variations, are repeated during afternoon lessons. Before
dinner the Captain calls out two boys of the Second
Election, one to say grace—“_Age gratias_”—and the other to
repeat the proper responses—“_Agite responsa_;” and when
dinner is over, before grace again, he pays even the
juniors the compliment of asking whether they have had
enough—“_Satisne edistis et bibistis?_” to which the
compulsory answer is made—in old times too often by hungry
lips—“_Satis edimus et bibimus_.” Every night at ten o’clock
the monitor of chamber gives the order for the juniors to
put out the lights and go to bed—“_Extinctis lucernis
intrate lectos_.” It is only within the last generation or
two that the rule of speaking Latin exclusively, both by
boys and masters, during school hours has fallen into
abeyance.

*Westminster Play.*—A Latin comedy, presented annually in the
dormitory of St. Peter’s College, a custom dating from Queen
Elizabeth’s days. The performances take place just before
the Christmas holidays, the play being repeated three times.
The cast is strictly confined to the forty scholars on the
foundation. At the close of last presentation a CAP (_q.v._)
is collected, the surplus of which, after paying expenses,
is divided among the performers.

*Wet-bob*, _subs._ (Eton).—A rowing man. _See_ DRY-BOB.

1839. C. T. BUCKLAND, _Eton Fifty Years Ago_ [1889, _Macmillan’s_,
Nov.]. It was the ambition of most boys to be a WET-BOB, and to be “in
the boats.” The school was divided between WET-BOBS and dry-bobs, the
former taking their pleasure on the river, and the latter in the
cricket-field.

*Whale*, _subs._ 1. (Cheltenham).—Codfish.

2. (Royal Military Academy).—A sardine.

*Whiter*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A white waistcoat: this may be worn
by those who have been three years in the school.

*Whole*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A whole holiday, or whole schoolday.

*Wicker*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A hamper: as of
provisions.

*Wicket-cricket*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Cricket played with a
stick or “wicket.”

*Wilderness* (The), _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The Dark
Walk; a part of the garden. _Cf._ GERARD, _Stonyhurst_, p.
179.

*Wilderness* (Charterhouse).—A playing ground at Old
Charterhouse before Thomas Sutton bought the estate: now a
belt of trees to the south of UNDER-GREEN (_q.v._).

*Wine*, _subs._ (University).—A wine-party. Also as _verb_.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, vii. Now I’m going to WINE with Smalls
to-night.

*Wise Men of the East*, _subs. phr._ (Cambridge).—The last
twelve in the Mathematical TRIPOS (_q.v._).

1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v. PLUCK.... These unfortunate
individuals were designated by many opprobrious appellations, such as
the Twelve Apostles, the Legion of Honour, WISE MEN OF THE EAST, &c.

*Wooston*, _adv._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Very: _e.g._ WOOSTON a
jolly fellow; a WOOSTON jolly fellow; I am WOOSTON, chaffy.
[That is, “whore son.”—GUILLEMARD.]

*Work*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Pain. Also as _verb_ = to hurt.

14[?]. _Townley Mysteries_, “Processus Noe.” My bonys are so stark No
wonder if they WARK For I am full old.

14[?]. _Alexander_ [ASHMOL.], line 531. So sare WERKIS hire the wame.
_Ibid._, line 539. Of *WERKE* well ne I wede (am mad).

1469. MALORY, _Morte d’Arthur_. But I may not stonde, myn hede WERCHES
soo.

1750. COLLIER, _Works_. I gran an I thrutcht, till my arms WARTCHD
agen.

1860. R. BRIERLY, _Ab. in London_. I shaked his hond till my arm
WARTCHT, then he shaked mine till his arm WARTCHT.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. WORK. The use of REMEDY
(_q.v._) for a holiday seems to imply that WORK is a painful disease.

*Worms*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A trenched line on the turf: used
as goal at football. _See_ quot.

1881. PASCOE, _Life in Our Public Schools_. Across the two ends of the
ground a small trench is dug, about four inches wide and two deep, and
a goal is obtained when the ball is fairly kicked across the trench
(Wiccamicé WORMS).

*Wrangler*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The name given to those who are
placed in the first class in the first or elementary portion
of the public examination for honours in pure and mixed
mathematics, commonly called the Mathematical Tripos, those
placed in the second class being known as Senior Optimes,
and those in the third class as Junior Optimes. Up to and
including the year 1882, the student who took absolutely the
first place in the Mathematical Tripos used to be termed
Senior Wrangler; those who came next to him being second,
third, fourth, &c., wranglers. Since then the title has been
given to the student who takes the first place in Part I. of
the Mathematical Tripos. The name is derived from the public
disputations, in which candidates for degrees were formerly
required to exhibit their powers.

1870. _The Blue_, March. We were rejoiced to hear of the University
success of a late Grecian—G. A. Greenhill, who was announced as Second
WRANGLER in the late Mathematical Tripos at Cambridge. Further on in
the month we heard of his being bracketed with Mr. Pendlebury (the
Senior WRANGLER) as Smith’s Prizeman, a thing seldom heard of at
Cambridge, and never before has any Blue attained that high honour.

*Wratislaw’s.* _See_ PLANKS.

*Writer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A Junior acting as secretary to
a College officer.

*Wuggins*, _subs._ (Oxford).—Worcester College; BOTANY-BAY
(_q.v._).

*Yarder*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Cricket played in the school yard:
in the summer term.

TO GET YARDS, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—To get a catch at
football and be allowed a free kick, not running more than
can be covered in three running strides. Hence TO GIVE YARDS
= to give such a catch; TO STEP YARDS = to cover the
distance in “kicking off yards” in three strides; TO KNOCK
DOWN YARDS = to prevent another from “taking yards.”
[Originally three yards.]

*Yards* (The), _subs._ 1. (Durham).—The list of members,
originally of the First Game, but now of the Second Game—at
football or cricket. [Formerly in the cricket season only a
patch of ground thirty yards square was mowed. Those who had
the privilege of playing on this were said to be “on the
YARDS.”]

2. (Royal High School, Edin.).—The gravel-covered
playground.

*Yark*, _verb_ (Durham).—To cane. _See_ TWANK and LAM. [_Yark_
(North) = to strike, to beat.]

*Yellow-hammer*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A BLUE (_q.v._) in
disgrace for gross misconduct and under discipline. _See_
quot.

1844. _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_ [The Blue, August 1874]. In the
case of a hardened offender, or of gross misdemeanour, a system of
degradation was adopted, by causing the culprit to wear his coat
turned inside out, and as the body of the coat had a yellow lining,
the metamorphosis was remarkably striking, and (unkindest cut of all!)
the subjects of this hideous transformation—these involuntary
turn-coats—were by their schoolfellows nicknamed YELLOW-HAMMERS.

*Yolly*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A post-chaise. [That
is, “Yellow,” that having been generally a favourite colour
for these vehicles.]

*-y*, _inseparable suffix_ (Manchester Grammar).—_See_ MATHY,
CHEMMY, GYMMY, &c.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX

*A*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ D, _infra._

*Abbey, The* (Durham).—The Cathedral. The boys of Durham
School (and they alone) speak, and always have spoken, of
the Cathedral as “the Abbey.” This is supposed to show
that the school dates from pre-Reformation days, though
its foundation is put down to the time of Henry VIII. The
Charity Commissioners admit the claim, and pay to the
Head-master a pension founded by Cardinal Langley in 1415
for the master of his school in Durham.

*Academia*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A select literary club: in
vogue where the Jesuit _Ratio Studiorum_ flourishes. Not now
existent at Stonyhurst, but it is in great vigour in America
and on the Continent.

*Ambulacrum*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The covered playground used
in wet weather.

*Arcady*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An arched portion of the new
front.

*Atramentarius*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The ink-pot
boy: an office once in vogue, the holder of it being
responsible for the cleanliness, &c., of the ink-pots in the
class-rooms. For this he was given a GOOD-DAY (_q.v._) at
the end of the year.

*B*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ D, _infra._

*Back-stop*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The wicket-keeper in ordinary
cricket.

*Bag*, _verb_ (Stonyhurst).—TO COB (_q.v._).

*Ball of Honour*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ BEGGAR’S-ACE.

*Bannet* (and *Bannet-fire*), _subs._ (Royal High School,
Edin.).—_See_ BONNET and BONNET-FIRE, _ante_: in each case
an error has crept in; the correct spelling is, of course,
_bannet_.

*Bate*, _adj._ (Harrow).—Angry.

*Beast*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—_See_ BRUTE.

*Beggar’s-ace* (and *Ball of Honour*), _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Two
extra balls given by the winning side in a game to enable
their opponents to catch up if possible.

*Bill*, _subs._ (Eton).—An old Etonian states that “in the BILL”
used to mean only that a boy was “complained of” to the
Head-master. _See_ ante.

*Black Monday* (Stonyhurst).—The day of re-opening of schools.

*Blandyke* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ ante. It may be interesting to
call attention to the connection between Stonyhurst and St.
Omers and many of the words and phrases occurring in this
vocabulary. They not only date from the Continental period,
but find their explanation in it alone. The College was
founded in 1592 at St. Omers, and continued without a break
(at Bruges and Liège) previous to the settlement in England
in 1794.

*Bloody Wars*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A common name for any
stiffness: such as that usually experienced at the beginning
of the football or cricket season: _e.g._ “I’ve got the
BLOODY WARS.”

*Blue*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante; concerning the
dress, I learn that the cap was given up many years ago.
There used to be a yellow petticoat under the blue skirt.
The boys also wear white “bands.”

*Bluebottle*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—A BLUE
(_q.v._): used by girls at Hertford. _See_ GRASSHOPPER
(Appendix) and HEDGEHOG (_ante_).

*Bottle*, _verb_ (Durham).—_See_ ante. Also TO BE BOTTLED = to
be in a fix.

*Bouncer*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A ball kicked from the hand
before it reaches the ground: Stonyhurst-football (_q.v._).

*Boy*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Specifically, a fag a grade above the
lowest form. _See_ ante. As a _verb_, TO BOY = to call for a
fag: all fags are summoned by a long drawn-out shout.

*Brick* (and *Clat*), _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The names given
to the two rival camps in a certain notorious
quasi-insurrection in the College some fifty years ago.
A full account appears in Fitzgerald’s _Stonyhurst
Memories_.

*Bug and Snail*, _subs._ phr. (Winchester).—The Natural History
Society.

*Bug-shooter*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A member of the School Corps.

*Bumf.* TO BUY A BUMF, _verb. phr._ (general).—To purchase a
newspaper. MATH-BUMF = mathematical paper. _See_ ante.

*Bunker*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—(1) A native; (2) a low fellow.

*Bus*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An extra nondescript class formed
chiefly of boys not born to study.

*Butt*, _subs._ (Dulwich).—The school tuck-shop. _See_ BUTTERY.

*Butter*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A boy known often to miss a
catch. Hence, as _verb_ = to miss a catch.

*Buzz*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To cry; to weep.

*C*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ D, _infra_.

*Cæsar’s-bridge* (Stonyhurst).—An old bridge over the Hodder.
Also CROMWELL’S-BRIDGE, though it is probable that Cromwell
crossed the Hodder higher up. _See_ HIGGER BRIG.

*Cage, The* (Royal High School, Edin.).—A covered area, between
two gates, in which prisoners at games are confined. Also,
as _verb_ = to put in this enclosure.

*Candle-keepers*, _subs._ (Winchester).—MANSFIELD in his
_School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 30 (_see_ quot.
1840, _ante_), says, “Why so called I have no idea,” but
_see_ ADAM’S _Wykehamica_ (1878), 418.

*Cards.* ON CARDS, _phr._ (Harrow).—A report on conduct taken to
the Head-master.

*Carthaginians* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ VICTORY-WALK.

*Champion*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A boy in a LOWER LINE (_q.v._)
class who, on account of age or size, joins in the games of
the HIGHER LINE (_q.v._). _Cf._ CHARITY-TAILS.

*Chisel*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To cheat.

*Clap*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—To push in front
of. Whence CLAPPER = one who so pushes.

*Clat* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ BRICK.

*Clogs*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The boots made by the College
shoemaker.

*Common-key*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A key by which most of the
doors on the boys’ side of the house are opened.

*Concertatio*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An exhibition of class-work
given from time to time in the Community refectory by the
LOWER LINE (_q.v._) classes.

*Copy*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Formerly COPY = a prize-book, chosen
by the recipient. _See_ ante.

*Cork*, _verb_ (Eton).—To throw. [An Old Etonian informs me that
“Cork” and not CALK (_q.v._) is the correct orthography.]

*Cowshed, The* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. It should be
stated that THE COWSHED is a sort of pent-house near the
Warden’s residence which workmen use for divers purposes.

*Cricket-machine*, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A boy who studies cricket
scores with excessive care.

*Crock*, _subs._ (general).—An indifferent performer at a game.

*Crocked.* TO BE CROCKED, _verb. phr._ (general).—To be injured
at a game.

*Crow’s-wing* (and *-refectory*), _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The part
of the house in which the masters live and fare. _See_ CROW.

*Cut.* TO CUT IN, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—If a boy misses his
place in the line at BILL (_q.v._), and tries to run in
irregularly, he is said TO CUT IN.

*D*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A division of “punishment bounds.”
Nominally the bounds were:—A = practically no bounds; B =
the ordinary bounds, the roads about a mile from the school;
C = punishment bounds, confinement to the cricket-fields and
playground; and D = confinement to the old school-house
playground, one of the commonest forms of punishment till
1876, when the present school-house was opened. C and D were
also known respectively as MONGREL and QUOD.

*Dame*, _subs._ (Eton and Harrow).—Originally many ladies kept
boarding-houses: hence the word. _See_ ante.

*Damnation-hill* (Harrow).—_See_ DAMNATION-CORNER and HOWSON and
WARNER, _Harrow School_ (1898), 80.

*Degerd*, _adj._ (Harrow).—Degraded. [Pronounced _Daygerd_.]

*Dicks’* (Stonyhurst).—The chief tuck-shop at the present time.

*Ditch, The* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. THE DITCH is one
of the three playgrounds, or rather open spaces, within the
walls of Christ’s Hospital: it takes its name from the old
City ditch which ran beneath it. The two others are the
“Hall Play,” and the “Garden.”

*Double-remove.* To get a DOUBLE-REMOVE, _verb. phr._
(Harrow).—To skip a form.

*Dox*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—The head-master. [An abbreviation of
“doctor.”]

*Dub.* TO DUB IN, _verb. phr._ (Christ’s Hospital).—To
subscribe.

*Duke’s-room* (Stonyhurst).—The PHILOSOPHERS’ (_q.v._)
drawing-room.

*Early bed*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—In winter time the smaller
boys go to bed an hour before the rest. Elder boys may avail
themselves of this if sick: _e.g._ “There is no EARLY BED
to-night.”

*Extraordinary*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Classes in which extra
classics are read in the lower forms.

*Fag-poker*, _intj._ (Harrow: obsolete).—A cry to a fag to fetch
a stake for the fire.

1827. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Harrow], p. 318. Poker and tongs
were unknown luxuries in the “play-room” at Butler’s; and the junior
fag, at the call of “FAG poker,” had to rush out in the cold to pull a
hedge-stake of substantial dimensions from the fence or faggot-stack.

*Feeder-cric* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. This game got its
name from the “feeder,” _i.e._ the thrower of the ball, and
the humble imitation that it was of cricket. The bat was a
stick like a “glorified” ruler, but cut away at one end to
resemble in some sort a cricket-bat. It was played against a
buttress, on which was marked a circle in chalk, which
served as a wicket. The ball was soft, with a hole in it; as
in rounders the batsman might insist on certain conditions
as to the method of “feeding,” and might refuse to recognise
a “feed” unreasonable in height.

*First-praise*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ REPORT.

*First-touch.* TO BE FIRST-TOUCH, _verb. phr._
(Stonyhurst).—To be first in reaching the scene
of a game, a place in which was secured by
touching some object, as a handball, a wicket,
&c.

*Flab*, _subs._ 1. (Christ’s Hospital).—Butter.

2. (Stonyhurst).—A boy who does not play in
any of the regular (cricket) matches. For
such a practice net is provided, known as
the FLAB’S-NET.

*Fob*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To put on
carelessly: as bands or buttons, without
trouble, to look right for a minute or so.

*Forcing*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Dribbling. _See_
STONYHURST-FOOTBALL.

*Form-beak*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A form-master. _See_
BEAK.

*Form-game*, _subs._ (Harrow: obsolete).—At
football, the games arranged in grades of
ability, and not by Houses. They were named
on the same principle as the school is
arranged—Sixth Form game, Fifth Form game,
and so on.

*Forty*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A division of the school
for football or cricket. Each FORTY has its own
ground.

*Fotch*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A blow on the
face. Also as _verb_ = to strike.

*Fox*, _verb_ (Stonyhurst).—To pretend to be ill.

*Frart*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A potato.

*Fug*, _subs._ (Harrow).—_See_ ante. The name is now
given to a diminutive Association ball: formerly
one of hair and chamois-leather.

*Fungi*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital)—India-rubber.

*Gomer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ ante, sense 2.
I am informed that there is yet another usage.
GOMERS = a suit of clothes in which to go home.
[Because College men wear gowns.]

*Goose-match*, _subs._ (Harrow).—_See_ ante, and
quot.

1898. S. W. GORE, _Harrow School_, 225. Harrow is, I
believe, one of the few schools where cricket is played in
the Michaelmas term, when the traditional “GOOSE” MATCH is
played. This was started on the 22nd of September 1849 by
Mr. C. O. Eaton.

*Grammar-match*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A football
match in which the members of the highest class
of the LOWER LINE (_q.v._)—GRAMMAR (_q.v._)—play
the lower classes combined.

*Grasshopper*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital:
Hertford).—A BLUE-girl: used by boys at
Hertford. _See_ BLUEBOTTLE (Appendix) and
HEDGEHOG (_ante_).

*Great Figures* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ FIGURES, _ante_.

*Grecian*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Add
following to 1871 quot.:—

Then on leaving the school for college they obtain a gift
of £60 for clothing and outfit, and an allowance of £70 a
year while at college. Nor do they seem to owe any further
allegiance in after life to Christ’s Hospital. For
instance, many lads are educated specially for the navy,
and are distinguished from the others by wearing a metal
badge on the shoulder, but on leaving Christ’s they do not
necessarily enter maritime life.

*Head.* HEAD OF THE LINE, _subs. phr._
(Stonyhurst).—The Captain of the School.

*Hedgehog* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ BLUEBOTTLE and
GRASSHOPPER (Appendix).

*Hell*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A well-known hazard on
the golf links: another is called PURGATORY.

*Henner*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A
challenge to do something difficult, which the
challenger must first do himself: _e.g._ “Here’s
a HENNER for you!” [Probably from Old Scots
_hain_.]

*Higger Brig*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A bridge over
the Hodder. It was by the old bridge at this
point that Cromwell crossed on his way to
Stonyhurst Hall, though some say it was at
CÆSAR’S BRIDGE (_q.v._). [Derived from an
attempt to pronounce “Higher Bridge” in the
local fashion.]

*Hopgarth*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A part
of the Gardens.

*House-beak*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A master. _See_ BEAK
and FORM-BEAK.

*Immunity-card*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_
TOLLY-TICKET.

*In.* ALL IN, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—A direction
given (1) at end of recreation; and (2) to
stay indoors at recreation time when wet.

*Ink-pot Boy* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ ATRAMENTARIUS.

*Jicker*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—(1) The
juice of a HIGH (_q.v._). [It is suggested
that this is a “portmanteau word”—from _juice_
and _liquor_.] Also (2) = blacking.

*Jickery*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Big: _e.g._
“You’re in for a JICKERY row.” [Query =
overflowing, like the JICKER (juice) of a “high”
(fruit tart).]

*Jiffs, The* (Christ’s Hospital).—THE JIFFS are
about the oldest part of the Hospital building.
The name is given to cloisters lying on the left
hand as one enters from Christ Church passage.
They are at a lower level, and are reached by
four steps. It was the only part not burned in
the Great Fire. The rooms above were destroyed.
[Suggested derivations are:—(1) from “Grey
Friars” = G.F.’s; and (2) from a beadle,
Geoffrey—Geoff’s—Jiffs.]

*Joseph*, _subs._ (Harrow: obsolete).—Generic for
boy: _e.g._ BEETLE-JOSEPH = an entomological
collector; MUSIC-JOSEPH = a boy who studied
music, and so forth.

*Keen*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Good: _e.g._
“jolly KEEN” = very good.

*Kenna’s-day* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ DAY, _ante_.

*King*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A game
peculiar to the school. The players range
themselves on one side of the playground, one
going into the centre and calling “King!” The
centre player endeavours to catch some one, who
then joins him, and this goes on till all are
caught. A rush is then made for the side, the
last to reach it taking the centre place in a
new game. It forms an excellent training for
football and a source of revenue to tailors.

*Lady Gallery* (Stonyhurst).—A gallery in which is a
statue of the Blessed Virgin.

*Lamm.* TO LAMM IN, _verb. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_
PEG IN.

*Last-quarter*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An interval at
the end of long recreations for toilet purposes,
&c., before studies or other duties: _e.g._ “Is
there LAST-QUARTER after this recreation?”

*Leeming’s Knot* (Stonyhurst).—A ditch or hole in a
neighbouring wood. [From some local farmer who
is said to have jumped into it.]

*Little Man*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ ante: this term,
I am informed, is only applied to one particular
man in a certain shop.

*Lo* (Felsted).—_See_ FAIN LO.

*Long Litany Lane* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A lane
near the College.

*Long Sleep*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A longer time
than usual in bed: _e.g._ “There will be LONG
SLEEP to-morrow,” “May I have LONG SLEEP?”

*Long-soft*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A long, low
bounce: STONYHURST-FOOTBALL (_q.v._).

*Lord’s.* TO BE IN LORD’S, _verb. phr._
(Winchester).—To be a member of the first Eleven
at cricket, dating from the old Public School
matches at Lord’s between Winchester, Harrow,
and Eton. Whence LORD’S-EX = the Exeat for the
Eton and Harrow match.

*Lounge*, _subs._ (Eton).—Both present and past Eton
schoolmen inform me that, as far as they know,
this word was, and is, never used.

*Love-lane* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A road near the
College.

*Low*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—There are two
sorts of fruit pies sold at the school shop,
called respectively, according to their shape,
“HIGH” and “LOW,” the word “pie” being generally
omitted.

*Magazine*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The dormitory of
the smaller boys in the College. Once a trunk
room.

*Mathemat*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante,
and add following to quot. 1895:—

The most distinctive feature in the MATHEMAT life was the
yearly “going to Court.” Our hair was trimmed and brushed
for the occasion by the Hospital barber, buttonholes and
gloves lavished on us. When we went to Buckingham Palace
we drove five in a carriage, the redundant gentleman being
literally and metaphorically sat upon by his justly
indignant comrades. But more interesting were our visits
to Windsor, with the march from the station to the Castle,
the long weary waiting in endless corridors and gorgeous
ante-chambers, the well-earned lunch, with John Brown
peeping in at the door; then Her Majesty’s inspection of
our drawings; and finally, our free range over the Castle
and toilsome ascent of the Round Tower. I remember the
following circumstance: One MATHEMAT exhibited a painting
of a ship still building. Prince George of Wales remarked
to his brother, “What a ‘rummy’ ship,” at which the
exhibitor laughed, causing the elder Prince to exclaim,
“Look, George, he’s laughing at you.”

*Mayfair* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A walk in the
playground. _Cf._ BOND-STREET.

*Meeter*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A successful kick at
a ball coming towards the one who kicks. _See_
STONYHURST-FOOTBALL.

*Mob*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A move from one
Form to another.

*Mongrel* (Felsted).—_See_ D (Appendix).

*Monkey.* MONKEY-ROOM (Stonyhurst).—A lumber-room:
chiefly used as a stable for bicycles.

*Mull*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A fight.

*Nicks*, _intj._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ ante. Also used
at Stonyhurst by scouts at sight of a Prefect.

*Nip’s-night*, _subs._ (Felsted).—The annual
entertainment for the village people. [_Nip_ = a
rustic.]

*Nurse*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante.
Obsolete in London, but retained at Hertford.

*Officiate*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To
interfere: _i.e._ to be “officious.” _E.g._
“Don’t officiate.”

*On.* ALL ON, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The direction
given at the end of recreation. Also ALL IN.

*Passy*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. Now
obsolete: the modern equivalent is VISH, which
_see_ (Appendix).

*Past*, _adv._ (Stonyhurst).—Beyond the goal line.

*Peg.* TO PEG IN, _verb. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—(1) To
throw in hard: of cricket. (2) To cane severely:
of corporal punishment: _e.g._ “Does So-and-so
PEG IN?” Also To LAMM IN.

*People*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Relations; visitors:
_e.g._ “I’ve got PEOPLE coming down.”

*Pepper-box*, _subs._ (Eton).—A buttress in
the original Fives Court on the Chapel
steps—reproduced in all Eton Fives Courts.