Chapter 34

ROOT. A word first used in the sense given below by Dr. Paley. "He [Paley] held, indeed, all those little arts of underhand address, by which patronage and preferment are so frequently pursued, in supreme contempt. He was not of a nature to _root_; for that was his own expressive term, afterwards much used in the University to denote the sort of practice alluded to. He one day humorously proposed, at some social meeting, that a certain contemporary Fellow of his College [Christ's College, Cambridge, Eng.], at that time distinguished for his elegant and engaging manners, and who has since attained no small eminence in the Church of England, should be appointed _Professor of Rooting_."--_Memoirs of Paley_.

2. To study hard; to DIG, q.v.

Ill-favored men, eager for his old boots and diseased raiment, torment him while _rooting_ at his Greek.--_Harv. Mag._, Vol. I. p. 267.

ROT. Twaddle, platitude. In use among the students at the University of Cambridge, Eng.--_Bristed_.

ROWES. The name of a party which formerly existed at Dartmouth College. They are thus described in The Dartmouth, Vol. IV. p. 117: "The _Rowes_ are very liberal in their notions. The Rowes don't pretend to say anything worse of a fellow than to call him a _Blue_, and _vice versâ_."

See BLUES.

ROWING. The making of loud and noisy disturbance; acting like a _rowdy_.

Flushed with the juice of the grape, all prime and ready for _rowing_. When from the ground I raised the fragments of ponderous brickbat. _Harvardiana_, Vol. III. p. 98.

The Fellow-Commoners generally being more disposed to _rowing_ than reading.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d. p. 34.

ROWING-MAN. One who is more inclined to fast living than hard study. Among English students used in contradistinction to READING-MAN, q.v.

When they go out to sup, as a reading-man does perhaps once a term, and a _rowing-man_ twice a week, they eat very moderately, though their potations are sometimes of the deepest.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 21.

ROWL, ROWEL. At Princeton, Union, and Hamilton Colleges, this word is used to signify a good recitation. Used in the phrase, "to make a _rowl_." From the second of these colleges, a correspondent writes: "Also of the word _rowl_; if a public speaker presents a telling appeal or passage, he would _make a perfect rowl_, in the language of all students at least."

ROWL. To recite well. A correspondent from Princeton College defines this word, "to perform any exercise well, recitation, speech, or composition; to succeed in any branch or pursuit."

RUSH. At Yale College, a perfect recitation is denominated a _rush_.

I got my lesson perfectly, and what is more, made a perfect _rush_.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XIII. p. 134.

Every _rush_ and fizzle made Every body frigid laid. _Ibid._, Vol. XX. p. 186.

This mark [that of a hammer with a note, "hit the nail on the head"] signifies that the student makes a capital hit; in other words, a decided _rush_.--_Yale Banger_, Nov. 10, 1846.

In dreams his many _rushes_ heard. _Ibid._, Oct. 22, 1847.

This word is much used among students with the common meaning; thus, they speak of "a _rush_ into prayers," "a _rush_ into the recitation-room," &c. A correspondent from Dartmouth College says: "_Rushing_ the Freshmen is putting them out of the chapel." Another from Williams writes: "Such a man is making a _rush_, and to this we often add--for the Valedictory."

The gay regatta where the Oneida led, The glorious _rushes_, Seniors at the head. _Class Poem, Harv. Coll._, 1849.

One of the Trinity men ... was making a tremendous _rush_ for a Fellowship.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 158.

RUSH. To recite well; to make a perfect recitation.

It was purchased by the man,--who 'really did not look' at the lesson on which he '_rushed_.'--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XIV. p. 411.

Then for the students mark flunks, even though the young men may be _rushing_.--_Yale Banger_, Oct., 1848.

So they pulled off their coats, and rolled up their sleeves, And _rushed_ in Bien. Examination. _Presentation Day Songs, Yale Coll._, June 14, 1854.

RUSTICATE. To send a student for a time from a college or university, to reside in the country, by way of punishment for some offence.

See a more complete definition under RUSTICATION.

And those whose crimes are very great, Let us suspend or _rusticate_.--_Rebelliad_, p. 24.

The "scope" of what I have to state Is to suspend and _rusticate_.--_Ibid._, p. 28.

The same meaning is thus paraphrastically conveyed:--

By my official power, I swear, That you shall _smell the country air_.--_Rebelliad_, p. 45.

RUSTICATION. In universities and colleges, the punishment of a student for some offence, by compelling him to leave the institution, and reside for a time in the country, where he is obliged to pursue with a private instructor the studies with which his class are engaged during his term of separation, and in which he is obliged to pass a satisfactory examination before he can be reinstated in his class.

It seems plain from his own verses to Diodati, that Milton had incurred _rustication_,--a temporary dismission into the country, with, perhaps, the loss of a term.--_Johnson_.

Take then this friendly exhortation. The next offence is _Rustication_. _MS. Poem_, by John Q. Adams.

RUST-RINGING. At Hamilton College, "the Freshmen," writes a correspondent, "are supposed to lose some of their verdancy at the end of the last term of that year, and the 'ringing off their rust' consists in ringing the chapel bell--commencing at midnight --until the rope wears out. During the ringing, the upper classes are diverted by the display of numerous fire-works, and enlivened by most beautifully discordant sounds, called 'music,' made to issue from tin kettle-drums, horse-fiddles, trumpets, horns, &c., &c."

_S_.

SACK. To expel. Used at Hamilton College.

SAIL. At Bowdoin College, a _sail_ is a perfect recitation. To _sail_ is to recite perfectly.

SAINT. A name among students for one who pretends to particular sanctity of manners.

Or if he had been a hard-reading man from choice,--or a stupid man,--or a "_saint_,"--no one would have troubled themselves about him.--_Blackwood's Mag._, Eng. ed., Vol. LX. p. 148.

SALTING THE FRESHMEN. In reference to this custom, which belongs to Dartmouth College, a correspondent from that institution writes: "There is an annual trick of '_salting the Freshmen_,' which is putting salt and water on their seats, so that their clothes are injured when they sit down." The idea of preservation, cleanliness, and health is no doubt intended to be conveyed by the use of the wholesome articles salt and water.

SALUTATORIAN. The student of a college who pronounces the salutatory oration at the annual Commencement.--_Webster_.

SALUTATORY. An epithet applied to the oration which introduces the exercises of the Commencements in American colleges.--_Webster_.

The oration is often called, simply, _The Salutatory_.

And we ask our friends "out in the world," whenever they meet an educated man of the class of '49, not to ask if he had the Valedictory or _Salutatory_, but if he takes the Indicator.--_Amherst Indicator_, Vol. II. p. 96.

SATIS. Latin; literally, _enough_. In the University of Cambridge, Eng., the lowest honor in the schools. The manner in which this word is used is explained in the Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, as follows: "_Satis disputasti_; which is at much as to say, in the colloquial style, 'Bad enough.' _Satis et bene disputasti_, 'Pretty fair,--tolerable.' _Satis et optime disputasti_, 'Go thy ways, thou flower and quintessence of Wranglers.' Such are the compliments to be expected from the Moderator, after the _act is kept_."--p. 95.

S.B. An abbreviation for _Scientiæ Baccalaureus_, Bachelor in Science. At Harvard College, this degree is conferred on those who have pursued a prescribed course of study for at least one year in the Scientific School, and at the end of that period passed a satisfactory examination. The different degrees of excellence are expressed in the diploma by the words, _cum laude_, _cum magna laude_, _cum summa laude_.

SCARLET DAY. In the Church of England, certain festival days are styled _scarlet days_. On these occasions, the doctors in the three learned professions appear in their scarlet robes, and the noblemen residing in the universities wear their full dresses.--_Grad. ad Cantab._

SCHEME. The printed papers which are given to the students at Yale College at the Biennial Examination, and which contain the questions that are to be answered, are denominated _schemes_. They are also called, simply, _papers_.

See the down-cast air, and the blank despair, That sits on each Soph'more feature, As his bleared eyes gleam o'er that horrid _scheme_! _Songs of Yale_, 1853, p. 22.

Olmsted served an apprenticeship setting up types, For the _schemes_ of Bien. Examination. _Presentation Day Songs_, June 14, 1854.

Here's health to the tutors who gave us good _schemes_, Vive la compagnie! _Songs, Biennial Jubilee_, 1855.

SCHOLAR. Any member of a college, academy, or school.

2. An undergraduate in English universities, who belongs to the foundation of a college, and receives support in part from its revenues.--_Webster_.

SCHOLAR OF THE HOUSE. At Yale College, those are called _Scholars of the House_ who, by superiority in scholarship, become entitled to receive the income arising from certain foundations established for the purpose of promoting learning and literature. In some cases the recipient is required to remain at New Haven for a specified time, and pursue a course of studies under the direction of the Faculty of the College.--_Sketches of Yale Coll._, p. 86. _Laws of Yale Coll._

2. "The _scholar of the house_," says President Woolsey, in his Historical Discourse,--"_scholaris ædilitus_ of the Latin laws,--before the institution of Berkeley's scholarships which had the same title, was a kind of ædile appointed by the President and Tutors to inspect the public buildings, and answered in a degree to the Inspector known to our present laws and practice. He was not to leave town until the Friday after Commencement, because in that week more than usual damage was done to the buildings."--p. 43.

The duties of this officer are enumerated in the annexed passage. "The Scholar of the House, appointed by the President, shall diligently observe and set down the glass broken in College windows, and every other damage done in College, together with the time when, and the person by whom, it was done; and every quarter he shall make up a bill of such damages, charged against every scholar according to the laws of College, and deliver the same to the President or the Steward, and the Scholar of the House shall tarry at College until Friday noon after the public Commencement, and in that time shall be obliged to view any damage done in any chamber upon the information of him to whom the chamber is assigned."--_Laws of Yale Coll._, 1774, p. 22.

SCHOLARSHIP. Exhibition or maintenance for a scholar; foundation for the support of a student--_Ainsworth_.

SCHOOL. THE SCHOOLS, _pl._; the seminaries for teaching logic, metaphysics, and theology, which were formed in the Middle Ages, and which were characterized by academical disputations and subtilties of reasoning; or the learned men who were engaged in discussing nice points in metaphysics or theology.--_Webster_.

2. In some American colleges, the different departments for teaching law, medicine, divinity, &c. are denominated _schools_.

3. The name given at the University of Oxford to the place of examination. The principal exercises consist of disputations in philosophy, divinity, and law, and are always conducted in a sort of barbarous Latin.

I attended the _Schools_ several times, with the view of acquiring the tact and self-possession so requisite in these public contests.--_Alma Mater_, Vol. II. p. 39.

There were only two sets of men there, one who fagged unremittingly for the _Schools_, and another devoted to frivolity and dissipation.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 141.

S.C.L. At the English universities, one who is pursuing law studies and has not yet received the degree of B.C.L. or D.C.L., is designated S.C.L., _Student_ in or of _Civil Law_.

At the University of Cambridge, Eng., persons in this rank who have kept their acts wear a full-sleeved gown, and are entitled to use a B.A. hood.

SCONCE. To mulct; to fine. Used at the University of Oxford.

A young fellow of Baliol College, having, upon some discontent cut his throat very dangerously, the Master of the College sent his servitor to the buttery-book to _sconce_ (i.e. fine) him 5s.; and, says the Doctor, tell him the next time he cuts his throat I'll _sconce_ him ten.--_Terræ-Filius_, No. 39.

Was _sconced_ in a quart of ale for quoting Latin, a passage from Juvenal; murmured, and the fine was doubled.--_The Etonian_, Vol. II. p. 391.

SCOUT. A cant term at Oxford for a college servant or waiter.--_Oxford Guide_.

My _scout_, indeed, is a very learned fellow, and has an excellent knack at using hard words. One morning he told me the gentleman in the next room _contagious_ to mine desired to speak to me. I once overheard him give a fellow-servant very sober advice not to go astray, but be true to his own wife; for _idolatry_ would surely bring a man to _instruction_ at last.--_The Student_, Oxf. and Cam., 1750, Vol. I. p. 55.

An anteroom, or vestibule, which serves the purpose of a _scout's_ pantry.--_The Etonian_, Vol. II. p. 280.

_Scouts_ are usually pretty communicative of all they know.--_Blackwood's Mag._, Eng. ed., Vol. LX. p. 147.

Sometimes used in American colleges.

In order to quiet him, we had to send for his factotum or _scout_, an old black fellow.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XI. p. 282.

SCRAPE. To insult by drawing the feet over the floor.--_Grose_.

But in a manner quite uncivil, They hissed and _scraped_ him like the devil. _Rebelliad_, p. 37.

"I do insist," Quoth he, "that two, who _scraped_ and hissed, Shall be condemned without a jury To pass the winter months _in rure_."--_Ibid._, p. 41.

They not unfrequently rose to open outrage or some personal molestation, as casting missiles through his windows at night, or "_scraping him_" by day.--_A Tour through College_, Boston, 1832, p. 25.

SCRAPING. A drawing of, or the act of drawing, the feet over the floor, as an insult to some one, or merely to cause disturbance; a shuffling of the feet.

New lustre was added to the dignity of their feelings by the pathetic and impressive manner in which they expressed them, which was by stamping and _scraping_ majestically with their feet, when in the presence of the detested tutors.--_Don Quixotes at College_, 1807.

The morning and evening daily prayers were, on the next day (Thursday), interrupted by _scraping_, whistling, groaning, and other disgraceful noises.--_Circular, Harvard College_, 1834, p. 9.

This word is used in the universities and colleges of both England and America.

SCREW. In some American colleges, an excessive, unnecessarily minute, and annoying examination of a student by an instructor is called a _screw_. The instructor is often designated by the same name.

Haunted by day with fearful _screw_. _Harvard Lyceum_, p. 102.

_Screws_, duns, and other such like evils. _Rebelliad_, p. 77.

One must experience all the stammering and stuttering, the unending doubtings and guessings, to understand fully the power of a mathematical _screw_.--_Harv. Reg._, p. 378.

The consequence was, a patient submission to the _screw_, and a loss of college honors and patronage.--_A Tour through College_, Boston, 1832, p. 26.

I'll tell him a whopper next time, and astonish him so that he'll forget his _screws_.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XI. p. 336.

What a darned _screw_ our tutor is.--_Ibid._

Apprehension of the severity of the examination, or what in after times, by an academic figure of speech, was called screwing, or a _screw_, was what excited the chief dread.--_Willard's Memories of Youth and Manhood_, Vol. I. p. 256.

Passing such an examination is often denominated _taking a screw_.

And sad it is to _take a screw_. _Harv. Reg._, p. 287.

2. At Bowdoin College, an imperfect recitation is called a _screw_.

You never should look blue, sir, If you chance to take a "_screw_," sir, To us it's nothing new, sir, To drive dull care away. _The Bowdoin Creed_.

We've felt the cruel, torturing _screw_, And oft its driver's ire. _Song, Sophomore Supper, Bowdoin Coll._, 1850.

SCREW. To press with an excessive and unnecessarily minute examination.

Who would let a tutor knave _Screw _him like a Guinea slave! _Rebelliad_, p. 53.

Have I been _screwed_, yea, deaded morn and eve, Some dozen moons of this collegiate life? _Harvardiana_, Vol. III. p. 255.

O, I do well remember when in college, How we fought reason,--battles all in play,-- Under a most portentous man of knowledge, The captain-general in the bloodless fray; He was a wise man, and a good man, too, And robed himself in green whene'er he came to _screw_. _Our Chronicle of '26_, Boston, 1827.

In a note to the last quotation, the author says of the word _screw_: "For the information of the inexperienced, we explain this as a term quite rife in the universities, and, taken substantively, signifying an intellectual nonplus."

At last the day is ended, The tutor _screws_ no more. _Knick. Mag._, Vol. XLV. p. 195.

SCREWING UP. The meaning of this phrase, as understood by English Cantabs, may be gathered from the following extract. "A magnificent sofa will be lying close to a door ... bored through from top to bottom from the _screwing up_ of some former unpopular tenant; "_screwing up_" being the process of fastening on the outside, with nails and screws, every door of the hapless wight's apartments. This is done at night, and in the morning the gentleman is leaning three-fourths out of his window, bawling for rescue."--_Westminster Rev._, Am. Ed., Vol. XXXV. p. 239.

SCRIBBLING-PAPER. A kind of writing-paper, rather inferior in quality, a trifle larger than foolscap, and used at the English universities by mathematicians and in the lecture-room.--_Bristed. Grad. ad Cantab._

Cards are commonly sold at Cambridge as "_scribbling-paper_."--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. XXXV. p. 238.

The summer apartment contained only a big standing-desk, the eternal "_scribbling-paper_," and the half-dozen mathematical works required.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 218.

SCROUGE. An exaction. A very long lesson, or any hard or unpleasant task, is usually among students denominated a _scrouge_.

SCROUGE. To exact; to extort; said of an instructor who imposes difficult tasks on his pupils.

It is used provincially in England, and in America in some of the Northern and Southern States, with the meaning _to crowd, to squeeze_.--_Bartlett's Dict. of Americanisms_.

SCRUB. At Columbia College, a servant.

2. One who is disliked for his meanness, ill-breeding, or vulgarity. Nearly equivalent to SPOON, q.v.

SCRUBBY. Possessing the qualities of a scrub. Partially synonymous with the adjective SPOONY, q.v.

SCRUTATOR. In the University of Cambridge, England, an officer whose duty it is to attend all _Congregations_, to read the _graces_ to the lower house of the Senate, to gather the votes secretly, or to take them openly in scrutiny, and publicly to pronounce the assent or dissent of that house.--_Cam. Cal._

SECOND-YEAR MEN. In the University of Cambridge, Eng., the title of _Second-Year Men_, or _Junior Sophs_ or _Sophisters_, is given to students during the second year of their residence at the University.

SECTION COURT. At Union College, the college buildings are divided into sections, a section comprising about fifteen rooms. Within each section is established a court, which is composed of a judge, an advocate, and a secretary, who are chosen by the students resident therein from their own number, and hold their offices during one college term. Each section court claims the power to summon for trial any inhabitant within the bounds of its jurisdiction who may be charged with improper conduct. The accused may either defend himself, or select some person to plead for him, such residents of the section as choose to do so acting as jurors. The prisoner, if found guilty, is sentenced at the discretion of the court,--generally, to treat the company to some specified drink or dainty. These courts often give occasion for a great deal of fun, and sometimes call out real wit and eloquence.

At one of our "_section courts_," which those who expected to enter upon the study of the law used to hold, &c.--_The Parthenon, Union Coll._, 1851, p. 19.

SECTION OFFICER. At Union College, each section of the college buildings, containing about fifteen rooms, is under the supervision of a professor or tutor, who is styled the _section officer_. This officer is required to see that there be no improper noise in the rooms or corridors, and to report the absence of students from chapel and recitation, and from their rooms during study hours.

SEED. In Yale College this word is used to designate what is understood by the common cant terms, "a youth"; "case"; "bird"; "b'hoy"; "one of 'em."

While tutors, every sport defeating, And under feet-worn stairs secreting, And each dark lane and alley beating, Hunt up the _seeds_ in vain retreating. _Yale Banger_, Nov. 1849.

The wretch had dared to flunk a gory _seed_! _Ibid._, Nov. 1849.

One tells his jokes, the other tells his beads, One talks of saints, the other sings of _seeds_. _Ibid._, Nov. 1849.

But we are "_seeds_," whose rowdy deeds Make up the drunken tale. _Yale Tomahawk_, Nov. 1849.

First Greek he enters; and with reckless speed He drags o'er stumps and roots each hapless _seed_. _Ibid._, Nov. 1849.

Each one a bold _seed_, well fit for the deed, But of course a little bit flurried. _Ibid._, May, 1852.

SEEDY. At Yale College, rowdy, riotous, turbulent.

And snowballs, falling thick and fast As oaths from _seedy_ Senior crowd. _Yale Gallinipper_, Nov. 1848.

A _seedy_ Soph beneath a tree. _Yale Gallinipper_, Nov. 1848.

2. Among English Cantabs, not well, out of sorts, done up; the sort of feeling that a reading man has after an examination, or a rowing man after a dinner with the Beefsteak Club. Also, silly, easy to perform.--_Bristed_.

The owner of the apartment attired in a very old dressing-gown and slippers, half buried in an arm-chair, and looking what some young ladies call interesting, i.e. pale and _seedy_.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 151.

You will seldom find anything very _seedy_ set for Iambics.--_Ibid._, p. 182.

SELL. An unexpected reply; a deception or trick.

In the Literary World, March 15, 1851, is the following explanation of this word: "Mr. Phillips's first introduction to Curran was made the occasion of a mystification, or practical joke, in which Irish wits have excelled since the time of Dean Swift, who was wont (_vide_ his letters to Stella) to call these jocose tricks 'a _sell_,' from selling a bargain." The word _bargain_, however, which Johnson, in his Dictionary, defines "an unexpected reply tending to obscenity," was formerly used more generally among the English wits. The noun _sell_ has of late been revived in this country, and is used to a certain extent in New York and Boston, and especially among the students at Cambridge.

I sought some hope to borrow, by thinking it a "_sell_" By fancying it a fiction, my anguish to dispel. _Poem before the Iadma of Harv. Coll._, 1850, p. 8.