Part 1
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL WORD-BOOK
THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL WORD-BOOK
A CONTRIBUTION TO
A HISTORICAL GLOSSARY OF WORDS PHRASES AND TURNS OF EXPRESSION OBSOLETE AND IN PRESENT USE
PECULIAR TO
OUR GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TOGETHER WITH SOME THAT HAVE BEEN OR ARE _MODISH_ AT THE UNIVERSITIES
BY
JOHN S. FARMER
EDITOR OF “AMERICANISMS—OLD AND NEW,” “REGIMENTAL RECORDS OF THE BRITISH ARMY,” AND (WITH W. E. HENLEY) “SLANG AND ITS ANALOGUES,” ETC.
LONDON PRIVATELY ISSUED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY BY HIRSCHFELD BROTHERS 13 FURNIVAL STREET, E.C. MCM
PREFACE
It has been a matter of note and, maybe, of surprise that no attempt has hitherto been made to gather in one volume the numerous Words, Phrases, and Turns of Expression peculiar to OUR GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Bare lists of a dozen or more examples may be found in certain (mostly out-of-date) Records and Histories; but taking the Schools individually, only in one instance—Winchester—has there been anything but the most perfunctory attention given to the subject; and in no case has the question received that analytical, scientific treatment—historically and comparatively—which has proved so invaluable in the “Oxford Dictionary” and in “Slang and its Analogues.”
It would, however, seem almost necessary to emphasise the fact that this Word-Book is not, _per se_, a dictionary of school slang. On the contrary, it is far more than that. For, though such colloquialisms as are _peculiar_ to Public School life are naturally and rightly included, yet by far the larger number of the examples here set down do not, by any accepted method of classification, fall within that category. I am led to make this clear at the outset by reason of a somewhat curious, but altogether erroneous idea that the present book was to be a mere reprint of extracts from the larger work on which, for many years, I have been engaged. That is not so.
Nor, moreover, do these words and phrases appear, save in very few instances, in any other work—not even in so admirably complete a dictionary, in other respects, as “The Century,” while the monumental Oxford undertaking will not be available, as a complete authority, for many years to come.
Having thus stated what this work is _not_, it seems borne on me to explain, anew, what it _is_, or rather, what has been my method. Briefly put, my idea has been to collect such words, phrases, names, and allusions to customs as now are, or have been, _peculiar_ to English Public School life, and to apply to their definition and elucidation what is known as the “historical” method, illustrating such examples as lent themselves to it by quotations from old and present-day writers.
The Public Schools with which I have been concerned, arranged chronologically in order of foundation or charter, are as follows:—
1160 Derby. │1564 Felsted. 1387 Winchester. │1567 Rugby. 1441 Eton. │1571 Harrow. 1515 Manchester Grammar. │1592 Stonyhurst. 1538 Royal High School, Edin. │1611 Charterhouse. 1541 Durham Grammar. │1619 Dulwich. 1550 Sherborne. │1830 Loretto. 1551 Shrewsbury. │1841 Cheltenham. 1552 Christ’s Hospital. │1843 Marlborough. 1552 King Edward’s. │1848 Lancing. 1553 Tonbridge. │1859 Wellington. 1560 Westminster. │1875 The Leys. Also the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Aberdeen, Dublin, &c.
How far I have been successful in my task I leave others to judge. I must confess, however, that the extent and wealth of this special field of inquiry has somewhat astonished me: yet I fear my lists are, in some cases, still incomplete. But, even so, this contribution towards a more perfect glossary will, I think, be a revelation to many.
No wonder our Mother-tongue is so vigorous, adaptable, and expansive—reaching out in its creative energy to all the forms and necessities of modern life—when even Young England shows such aptitude in coining new expressions, and adapting older forms to its ever-changing (and, shall I say, ever-increasing) needs. Studied comparatively, there will be found much significance, not alone in the survivals from past generations, but also in the relatively newer phraseology. Many an interesting side-light, too, is thrown on ancient school customs and usages.
Though primarily addressing myself to past schoolmen, it is not without a hope that the general student and scholar, as well as those still _in statu pupillari_, will find something of use and to interest.
Finally, I desire, though holding myself alone responsible for aught that is solecismal in these pages, to acknowledge my indebtedness to those who have afforded me such unstinted aid in compiling this work. Especially are my thanks due to Mr. P. K. Tollit (Derby); Mr. W. Durnford (Eton); Mr. R. D. Hodgson (Manchester Grammar); Mr. C. A. Ross (Royal High School, Edin.); Rev. A. E. Hillard (Durham); Mr. W. B. Wildman (Sherborne); Rev. J. F. Cornish (Christ’s Hospital); Rev. E. W. Badger (King Edward’s, Birm.); Mr. C. H. Crofts (Tonbridge); Rev. E. Gepp (Felsted); Mr. G. Townsend Warner (Harrow); the Rev. Fathers Gerard and Browne and Rev. A. Goodier (Stonyhurst); Dr. H. H. Almond (Loretto); Mr. J. F. L. Hardy (Marlborough); Mr. J. C. Isard (The Leys).
SPECIAL NOTICE
_While the “Public School Word-Book” was passing through the press a certain amount of additional matter came to hand. Rather than omit altogether I have included it in an Appendix._
_May I also say that I shall welcome any suggestions, additions, or corrections that may be forwarded to me?_
_Communications may be addressed to John S. Farmer, c/o Messrs. Hirschfeld Bros., 13 Furnival Street, London, E.C._
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL WORD-BOOK
*A*, TO GET ONE’S “A,” _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—To pass a certain standard in the Gymnasium: the next step being to the Gymnasium Eight. _See_ Appendix.
*Abber*, _subs._ (Harrow).—1. An abstract: on history, &c.; set as a punishment.
2. An ABSIT (_q.v._): on whole holidays, or under medical advice.
*Abroad*, _adv._ (Winchester).—Convalescent; out of the sick-room: _e.g._ “I have been (or come) ABROAD a week.” _Cf._ CONTINENT.
1534. UDALL, _Roister Doister_, ... I bid him keepe warme at home, For if he come ABROADE, he shall cough me a mome.
1598. SHAKSPEARE, 2 _Hen. IV._, i. 2. I am glad to see your Lordship ABROAD. I heard say your Lordship was sicke. I hope your Lordship goes ABROAD by aduice.
1761. _Letter_ [WRENCH]. I have been exceeding ill ... am not just got ABROAD again.
*Abs*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Absent: placed against the name when away from school. [From _absunt_ on Rolls.]
_Verb._ To take (get, or go) away. Formerly (_circa_ 1840) to ABS a tolly (candle) = to put it out; it now = to take it away whether lighted or unlighted, the modern NOTION (_q.v._) for putting it out being to “dump” it. As a neuter verb ABS is generally used in the imperative: _e.g._ “ABS!” “Oh, do ABS!” Sometimes, however, a fellow is said TO ABS quickly, and MESS THINGS (_q.v._) are ABSED, or put away. To HAVE ONE’S WIND ABSED = to have it taken away by a violent blow in the stomach.
*Absence*, _subs._ (Eton).—Names-calling. [This takes place at 3 and 6 P.M. on half-holidays; at 11.30, 3, and 6 P.M. on whole-holidays; at 6 P.M. only in summer half.]
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 174. And the elevens were made up, as they best might, out of such adventurous spirits as dared to “skip” roll-calls and ABSENCE for the purpose. Eton, when the losers, attributed the fact to the want of their best men in consequence of these difficulties.
*Absit*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—_See_ quot.
1886. DICKENS’S _Dictionary of the University of Cambridge_, p. 3. Every undergraduate wishing to leave Cambridge for a whole day, not including a night, must obtain an ABSIT from his tutor. Permission to go away for a longer period, either at the end of the term or in the middle, is called an “exeat,” and no undergraduate should go down without obtaining his “exeat.”
*Academia*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ Appendix.
*Academy*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An exhibition given at the end of every quarter: the first by RHETORIC (_q.v._), the second by POETRY (_q.v._), the third by SYNTAX (_q.v._), the last, called the GREAT ACADEMIES, by all three combined. This last is the crowning act of the school year, being attended by many visitors, and is followed by the annual distribution of prizes. Hence ACADEMY ROOM = the large hall in which the chief exhibitions, displays, concerts, plays, &c., are held. [The name may have come from the school at Liège, which was known as the “Academy”; but more probably it is of much older date, being derived from the “Academiæ” of the _Ratio Studiorum Societatis Jesu_.]
*Accidence* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.
*Ack* (or *Ick*), _intj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—No! nothing. _Ex._ “Lend me your book.” “ACK!” Obsolete.
*Action*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—A game in which a number of boys start from one end of the cloisters and run to the other, trying to avoid being captured _en route_ by others who seek to intercept them. The game was also called FOX AND DOWDY. These were names in use twenty-five years ago. To-day the same game is called BACCA, because the prisoners must be held long enough for the captor to say, “one, two, three, caught, tobacco!”
*Ad lib.*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The time when boys are not bound to study in the STUDY-PLACE (_q.v._).
*Admonishing-money*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 116. The punishments for speaking English in hall or school, which have been before alluded to, were strictly enforced in his [Dr. Busby’s] days in the way of fines, called ADMONISHING-MONEY, which figure occasionally in his [Lynn’s] account. The custom was for the second boy of the second election to act as a sort of monitor for this purpose, and to deliver to any boy who so offended a “mark” or tally, with the words, _Tu es custos_; this mark he had to pass in turn to the first whom he could detect in a similar slip, and the boy with whom the mark remained when hall broke up incurred a fine. Charles Dryden, son of the poet, thought himself so hardly used by being made _custos_ three days running (by some unfairness, as he conceived), that the father wrote a strong letter on the subject to his old master, Busby, and was very nearly removing the boy from school.
*Ad portas*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A Latin speech delivered by the Senior College Prefect to the Warden of New College and the POSERS (_q.v._) under Middle gate at the commencement of Election week.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 61. When the Warden of New College, Oxford, with two of his Fellows, called the “posers” (or at one time “supervisors”), arrive at the college, ... they are received with a Latin oration AD PORTAS by the senior scholar. Two other speeches are delivered in school just before their arrival: 1. _Elizabethæ et Jacobi Laudes_ (commonly known as “Elizabeth and Jacob”), by the Prefect of School; 2. _Fundatoris Laudes_, formerly assigned to the senior “Founder’s kin” scholar, but now spoken by the third prefect.
*Adsum*, _intj._ (Charterhouse).—The response made in answer to names-calling.
1855. THACKERAY, _The Newcomes_, p. 774. At the usual evening hour the chapel bell began to toll, and Thomas Newcome’s hands outside the bed feebly beat time. And just as the last bell struck a peculiar sweet smile shone over his face, and he lifted up his head a little and quickly said ADSUM, and fell back. It was the word we used at school when names were called; and lo, he whose heart was as that of a little child had answered to his name, and stood in the presence of the Master.
1900. _Daily Telegraph_, 23rd March, 8. 7. As in the old days of Colonel Newcome, “ADSUM,” or “Always ready,” is still the watch-word of the Charterhouse, whose authorities have issued a neatly-printed list of Old Carthusians serving in South Africa, in a cover of the school colours.
1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, p. 97. ADSUM is the name of a new institution.... There was no occasion for it when the school was in London, and none could pass beyond the school precincts. Colonel Newcome must have answered ADSUM at prayers only.
*Æger*. _See_ ÆGROTAT.
*Æger-room*, _subs._ (Felsted).—The sick-room. _See_ ÆGROTAT.
*Ægrotat* (or *Æger*), _subs._ (University).—(1) A medical certificate excusing attendance. (2) The degree taken by those so excused. READING ÆGROTAT = leave taken (generally in December) to read for one’s degree. [Lat. _ægrotare_.]
1794. _Gent. Mag._, p. 1085. They [at Cambridge] sported an ÆGROTAT, and they sported a new coat!
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iv. “That there’s the ‘All, sir, _that_ is,—where you dines, sir, leastways when you ain’t ‘Æger,’ or elseweer.” _Ibid._, viii.—“Not very well, Robert, thank you. I—my head aches, and I’m afraid I shall not be able to get up for chapel.”... “If you’ll leave it to me, sir, I’ll make it all right for you, _I_ will. Of course you’d like to take out an ÆGER, sir; and I can bring you your Commons just the same.”
1864. BABBAGE, _Passages from the Life of a Philosopher_, 37. I sent my servant to the apothecary for a thing called an ÆGROTAT, which I understood ... meant a certificate that I was indisposed.
1870. _Chambers’s Journal_, June 18, p. 395. Dick laughed. “I’ll get the receipt from him. I often want a good thing for an ÆGER.”
1888. H. SMART, in _Temple Bar_, February, p. 213. “Instead of applying for leave to my tutor, I had resorted to the old device of pricking ÆGER.”
1890. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 2. What’s up ... with Smith? He went ÆGER before school this afternoon. I expect he’s rather bad; he is not the fellow to go ÆGER for nothing. I do hate that ÆGER-room.
*After Four.* _See_ FOUR.
*Afternoon-tea*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—Detention after 3 o’clock.
*After Twelve.* _See_ TWELVE.
*-agger*, _inseparable suffix_ (Charterhouse).—As in COMBINAGGERS, a combination suit of pyjamas.
*Alderman*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A qualified swimmer. [From “The Alders,” a deep pool in the river Chelmer.]
1893. _Felstedian_, June, p. 79. Years ago there existed at Felsted a class of beings known as “Swimming ALDERMEN.” What they were, and whence they came, I know not; perhaps some Old Felstedian will be able to enlighten me on the point. Perhaps the name was given to those who could swim so many times from the “Alders” to “Duck-pond”; or, perhaps, the name was derived from the aldermanic proportions of the swimmer. _Ibid._ (1895, Ap., p. 44). A fourth term, “ALDERMAN,” was not in the list. It has certainly “been dead lengthy” but was once prized by its possessors, who had to swim so many times from the “Duck Pond” to “The Alders” before they could gain the title. Ten lengths of the new bath would afford a fair test, and ALDERMEN might have some privilege or other. Its revival would be a good thing, for there has of late been a tendency to prefer diving to swimming.
*All.* _See_ ALONG; IN; OUT; and ON.
*Allows*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The weekly allowance of 2s., from which breakages, &c., are stopped.
*Alma Mater*, _subs._ (general).—One’s school, college, or university.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, ii. 2. A white tie and a pair of very small bands—the two articles which, with the usual academicals, form the costume demanded by ALMA MATER of all her children when they take their places in her schools.
1874. _The Blue_, Aug., _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_. In fact, the musical arrangements of our ALMA MATER were something exceedingly below _par_.
*Along.* ALL ALONG, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A kind of dribbling football practice: indulged in during a short spell of recreation.
*Alto-cad*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The paid member of the choir taking alto.
*Amen-chapel*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A long service performed on the four days set apart for commemorating the Founder, and on the anniversary of his death.
*Ancient-mariner*, _subs._ (University).—A rowing Don.
*Anstey’s.* _See_ PLANKS.
*Apostles*, _subs._ (University).—_See_ quot.
1803. _Gradus ad Cantab._ The APOSTLES are the clodhoppers of literature, who have at last scrambled through the Senate House without being plucked, and have obtained the title of B.A. by a miracle. The last twelve names on the list of Bachelor of Arts are thus designated. [The term is now (1900) applied to the last twelve in the Mathematical TRIPOS (_q.v._)]
*Appii* (The), _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—The Three Tuns, a celebrated Durham inn. [From a misunderstanding of Acts xxviii. 15.]
*Apple-pie Day*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The day on which SIX-AND-SIX (_q.v._) is played—the Thursday after the first Tuesday in December. [Because hot apple-pies were served on GOMERS (_q.v._) in College for dinner.]
*Aquatics*, _subs._ (Eton).—Where boys “in the boats” play cricket; also the WET-BOB cricket team.
*Archdeacon*, _subs._ (Oxford).—Merton strong ale.
*Armoury, The* (Harrow).—The room under the Old Schools where rifles, belonging to the Rifle Corps, are kept.
*Arrow*, subs. (Harrow).—A challenge arrow, of silver: given to the COCK-HOUSE (_q.v._) at shooting.
*Arundel Day* (The Leys).—The choir summer holiday.
*Ascension-day.* _See_ ASCENSIO SCHOLARUM.
*Ascensio Scholarum*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The opening ceremony of the school year. The whole house assembles in the STUDY-PLACE (_q.v._), and the Prefect of Studies reads out the new forms, prefixing the formula “_Maneant in_” or “_Ascendant in_” as the case may be. The day is known as “Ascension Day.”
1843. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Nov. 1883, p. 232. The _Ascensio Scholarum_ was managed quite otherwise then than now [1843-83].... _Ascension Day._—The opening day of schools. Mass of the Holy Ghost is said in the church, after breakfast. The different schools, headed by their masters, then return to the schoolrooms which they occupied the preceding scholastic year. Presently the large bell tolls, and then the Prefect of Studies opens the door of POETRY (_q.v._), and announces that “RHETORIC (_q.v._) is empty.” The POETS (_q.v._) leave their room and ascend to Rhetoric, and forthwith become Rhetoricians, with all their privileges. Then the (late) Poet’s doorkeeper knocks at SYNTAX’ (_q.v._) door and sings out that “Poetry is empty”; and so on through the different schools. The little fellows newly arrived have to wait in the gallery until “LITTLE FIGURES” (_q.v._) is vacant, when they become Little Figuricians, “Little Figures,” it will be observed, being what we [1883] call “ELEMENTS” (_q.v._).
*Ash-planting*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 349. In this room [Over-School] it was that, in the latter half of the last century, the punishment of ASH-PLANTING used to take place. It was inflicted by order and in the presence of a judicial committee of the præposters (Sixth Form) for some few grave offences against the recognised internal discipline of the school, _e.g._ personal assault upon one of their body by a mutinous fag—an offence which would still be severely punished by the masters, if not by the Sixth themselves. Three ash-saplings were used; in theory, at least, the two first were to be broken upon the person of the culprit. The punishment was severe—perhaps unjustifiably so; but it had the character of being only inflicted in extreme cases, and with strict justice, and was not regarded as a cruelty in the school.
*Athens* (Eton).—A bathing-place.
1865. _Etoniana_, p. 162. No boy is now allowed to go into a boat until he has passed an examination in swimming before a committee of masters at ATHENS or at Cuckoo Weir.
*Audit-ale* (or *Audit*), _subs._ (Cambridge).—A special brew of ale, peculiar to Trinity College. [First-made draught on AUDIT days.]
1837. BARHAM, _Ingoldsby Legends_, “Lay of St. Dunstan.” The “Trinity AUDIT ALE” is not come-at-able, as I’ve found to my great grief when dining at that table.
1876. TREVELYAN, _Life of Macaulay_ (1884), ch. iv. p. 127. A glass of the AUDIT ALE, which reminded him that he was still a Fellow of Trinity.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 55. A lot of Freshmen got together after Hall (it was a Saints’ day, and they’d been drinking AUDIT) and went and made hay in Marling’s rooms.
*Aul. præ*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Prefect of Hall. [Abbreviation of _Præfectus Aulæ_.]
*Ave Maria Lane* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A walk in the playground.
*B*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A standard in Gymnasium the next below the A (_q.v._). _See_ Appendix.
*Bacca.* _See_ ACTION.
*Bacchus*, _subs._ (Eton).—A copy of verses. _See_ quot.
1865. _Etoniana_, 27. On Shrove-Tuesday verses were written [_c._ 1561] in honour or dispraise of Bacchus—“because poets were considered the clients of Bacchus”—and those composed by the senior boys were fixed on the inside of the folding-doors of the hall, as was the old fashion in all schools and colleges. This custom was continued almost into modern days, and though the subject was changed, the copy of verses was still called “a BACCHUS.” When Pepys paid a visit to the school in 1665, he found the subject given out for that year was the one topic of absorbing interest—the Plague.
*Back.* To BACK UP, _verb_ (Winchester).—To call out: _e.g._ “Why didn’t you BACK UP? I should have come.” [In College various times are BACKED-UP by Junior in Chambers, such as “Three quarters!” “Hour!” “Bells go single!” “Bells down!”]
*Back Alley* (The Leys: obsolete).—A passage dividing “Upper” and “Lower” Quadrangle: now done away with.
*Backings-up*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Half-burned fagot-ends. [BACKING (prov. in Linc., Leices., and North country) = slack; small-coal; turf.]
*Backs*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A favourite walk with undergraduates.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 23. I’m in training now for the Lent races, and have to be out for a walk in the BACKS before breakfast every morning.
*Badger*, _subs._ (Wellington).—A member of the Second XV. at football. [A “badge” is bestowed when permission is given to play in this team.]
*Bag*, _subs._ (Westminster).—Milk.
*Bags* (or *Bags I*), _intj._ (common).—Used to assert a claim to some article or privilege. Analogous school slang is FAINS or FAIN IT (_q.v._) for demanding a truce during the progress of a game, and which is always granted by the opposing party. In other schools PIKE I or PRIOR PIKE serve to lay claim to anything, or for asserting priority. Also BAR: _e.g._ “He wanted me to do so and so, but I BARRED not.” _Cf._ FAIN.
*Bags’-stile*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ quot.