Part 10

1767. COLMAN, _Oxonian in Town_, ii. 3. And now I find you as dull and melancholy as a FRESHMAN at college after a jobation.

1841. LEVER, _Charles O’Malley_, ch. xiv. “This is his third year,” said the Doctor, “and he is only a FRESHMAN, having lost every examination.”

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iii. Mr. Green saw at a glance that all the passengers were Oxford men, dressed in every variety of Oxford fashion, and exhibiting a pleasing diversity of Oxford manners. Their private remarks on the two new-comers were, like stage “asides,” perfectly audible. “Decided case of governor!” said one. “Undoubted ditto of FRESHMAN!” observed another.

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.

1891. _Sporting Life_, Mar. 20. The mile, bar accidents, will be a gift to B. C. Allen, of Corpus, who has more than maintained the reputation he gained as a FRESHER.

1895. _Felstedian_, Dec., 178. The new trousers and immaculate brown boots of the “FRESHER” are suffering terribly from the slush.

1898. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Dec., p. 149, “Life at Oxford.” Three Seniors were entertaining some fifteen or more FRESHERS.

_Adj._ (University).—Of, or pertaining to, a FRESHMAN, or a first year student.

*Freshman’s Bible*, _subs. phr._ (University).—The University Calendar.

*Freshman’s Church*, _subs. phr._ (Cambridge).—The Pitt Press. [From its ecclesiastical architecture.]

*Freshman’s Landmark*, _subs. phr._ (Cambridge).—King’s College Chapel. [From the situation.]

*Freshmanship*, _subs._ (old).—Of the quality or state of being a freshman.

1605. JONSON, _Volpone, or the Fox_, iv. 3. Well, wise Sir Pol., since you have practised thus, Upon my FRESHMANSHIP, I’ll try your salt-head With what proof it is against a counter-plot.

*Froust*, _subs._ (Harrow).—1. Extra sleep allowed on Sunday mornings and whole holidays. Also (2) an easy-chair. Hence FROUSTER.

*Frout*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Angry; vexed.

*Fudge*, _subs._ 1. (Christ’s Hospital).—To copy; to crib; to dodge or escape: also _see_ quot.

1870-95. _More Gleanings from_ THE BLUE. The Latin Grammar was a strange book to the new boy; he says he was “relieved from embarrassment by the readiness with which my schoolfellows in the class above assisted in explaining,” &c. &c.; so a “FUDGE” is not a modern invention, though it is expressed by a polite periphrasis.

1877. _The Blue-Coat Boys_, p. 97. FUDGE, to prompt a fellow in class, or prompt oneself in class artificially. Thence to tell: _e.g._ “FUDGE me what the time is.”

2. (common).—To advance the hand unfairly at marbles.

*Fug*, _subs._ (Harrow).—1. A small soft football. Also (2) the game as played with such a ball in a yard, house, &c. _See_ Appendix.

_Verb._ 1. (Shrewsbury).—To stay in a stuffy room.

2. (Harrow).—To stop indoors.

*Fug-footer*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A species of football played in passages with a FUG (_q.v._) _See_ ante.

*Fuggy*, _subs._ (general).—A hot roll.

_Adj._ (Shrewsbury).—Stuffy.

*Fug-shop*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The carpenter’s shop.

*Functior* (or FUNCTURE), _subs._ (Winchester).—An iron bracket candlestick, used for the night-light in College Chambers.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_, p. 68. Beside the window yawned the great fireplace, with its dogs, on which rested the faggots and bars for the reception of the array of boilers. Above it was a rushlight, fixed in a circular iron pan fastened to a staple in the wall; it was called the FUNCTIOR.

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. FUNCTURE. The word looks like _fulctura_, an earlier form of _fulture_, meaning a prop or stay, with phonetic change of _l_ into _n_.

*Funking-Monday*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quot.

1887. _The Blue_, Nov. Yet it is not from ignorance of vulgar slang that the author’s elegance springs, for he unbends once so far as to say that the Monday after the holidays is called “FUNKING-MONDAY.”

*Funking-room*, _subs._ (medical).—The room at the Royal College of Surgeons where students collect on the last evening of their final during the addition of their marks, and whence each is summoned by an official announcing failure or success.

1841. _Punch_, i. p. 225, col. 2. On the top of a staircase he enters a room, wherein the partners of his misery are collected. It is a long, narrow apartment, commonly known as the FUNKING-ROOM.

*Funkster*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A coward.

*Furk.* _See_ FIRK.

*Gag*, _subs._ 1. (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quot. GAG-EATER = a term of reproach.

1813. LAMB, _Christ’s Hospital_, in _Works_, p. 324 (ed. 1852). L. has recorded the repugnance of the school to GAGS, or the fat of fresh beef boiled; and sets it down to some superstition.... A GAG-EATER in our time was equivalent to a ghoul, ... and held in equal estimation.

2. (Winchester: obsolete).—An exercise (said to have been invented by Dr. Gabell) which consists in writing Latin criticisms on some celebrated piece, in a book sent in about once a month. In the Parts below Sixth Book and Senior Part, the GAGS consisted in historical analysis. [An abbreviation of “gathering.”]

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 108. From time to time, also, they had to write ... an analysis of some historical work; these productions were called GATHERINGS (or GAGS).

*Gain.* _See_ ELECTION.

*Gaits* (*Geits*, *Gytes*, or *Gites*), _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—The first, or lowest class. _See_ CATS.

*Gallery*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A Commoner bedroom. [From a tradition of GALLERIES in Commoners.] Hence GALLERY NYMPH = a housemaid.

*Gang*, _subs._ (Felsted: obsolete).—A particular friend. From the ordinary meaning of the word, applied first to the two friends, then to each of them. Used only of “acute” friendship. Also as _verb_ = to carry on such a friendship with another.

*Garden, The* (Stonyhurst).—The playgrounds, built on the site of part of the old garden, long kept this name. “The boys went to the GARDEN” = “into the playground”: obsolete.

*Gater*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A plunge head foremost into a POT (_q.v._).

*Gates*, _subs._ (University).—The being forbidden to pass outside the gate of a college. Hence as _verb_ = to confine wholly or during certain hours within the college gate for some infraction of discipline. To BREAK GATES = to stay out of college after hours. GATE-BILL (old) = the record of an undergraduate’s failure to be within the precincts of his college by a specified time at night.

1803. _Gradus ad Cant._, p. 128. To avoid GATE-BILLS he will be out at night as late as he pleases ... climb over the college wall, and fee his gyp well.

1835. _The Snobiad_ (WHIBLEY, _Cap and Gown_, p. 141). Two proctors kindly holding either arm Staunch the dark blood and GATE him for the term.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, I. ch. xii. He won’t hurt you much, Giglamps! GATE and chapel you!

1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_, ch. xii. Now you’ll both be GATED probably, and the whole crew will be thrown out of gear.

1865. _Cornhill Mag._, p. 227. He is requested to confine himself to college after a specified hour, which is familiarly termed being GATED.

1870. _Morning Advertiser_, May 23. The two least culpable of the party have been GATED.

1881. LANG, _Xxxii. Ballades_, “Of Midsummer Term.” When freshmen are careless of GATES.

TO BE AT GATES, _verb. phr._ (Winchester: obsolete).—To assemble in Seventh Chamber passage, preparatory to going Hills or Cathedral.

*Gaudeamus*, _subs._ (general).—A feast; a drinking bout; any sort of merry-making. [German students’, but now general. From the first word of the mediæval (students’) ditty.]

*Gaudy* (or *Gaudy-day*), _subs._ (general).—A feast or entertainment: specifically, the annual dinner of the Fellows of a college in memory of founders or benefactors; or a festival of the Inns of Court. [Lat. _gaudere_ = to rejoice.]

1540. PALSGRAVE, _Acolastus_ [HALLIWELL]. We maye make our tryumphe, kepe our GAUDYES, or let us sette the cocke on the hope, and make good chere within dores. _Ibid._, I have good cause to set the cocke on the hope, and make GAUDYE chere.

1608. SHAKSPEARE, _Antony and Cleopatra_, iii. 11. Come, Let’s have one other GAUDY night; call to me All my sad captains; fill our bowls; once more Let’s mock the midnight bell.

1636. SUCKLING, _Goblins_ [DODSLEY, _Old Plays_ (REED), x. 143]. A foolish utensil of state, Which, like old plate upon a GAUDY day, ’s brought forth to make a show, and that is all.

1724. E. COLES, _Eng. Dict._ GAUDY DAYS, college or Inns of Court festivals.

1754. B. MARTIN, _Eng. Dict._, 2nd ed. GAUDIES, double commons, such as they have on GAUDY or grand DAYS in colleges.

1760. FOOTE, _Minor_, Act i. Dine at twelve, and regale, upon a GAUDY DAY, with buns and beer at Islington.

1803. _Gradus ad Cantab._, p. 122. Cut lectures ... give GAUDIES and spreads.

1820. LAMB, _Elia_ (_Oxford in the Vacation_). Methought I a little grudged at the coalition of the _better Jude_ with Simon—clubbing, as it were, their sanctities together, to make up one poor GAUDY-DAY between them.

1822. NARES, _Glossary_, s.v. GAUDY DAY or NIGHT. A time of festivity and rejoicing. The expression is yet fully retained in the University of Oxford. BLOUNT, in his _Glossographia_, speaks of a foolish derivation of the word from a judge Gaudy, said to have been the institutor of such days. But _such_ days were held in all times, and did not want a judge to invent them.

1822. SCOTT, _Fortunes of Nigel_, ch. xxiii. We had a carouse to your honour ... we fought, too, to finish off the GAUDY.

1878. BESANT AND RICE, _By Celia’s Arbour_, ch. xxxiii. Champagne ... goes equally well with a simple luncheon of cold chicken, and with the most elaborate GAUDY.

*General’s-day* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ DAY.

*Gentlemen-Philosopher*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—_See_ PHILOSOPHER.

*Genuine*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Praise. Also as _verb_ = to praise. [It is suggested (but _see_ quot.) that the derivation may be from _genuina_, the “jaw-tooth,” praise being nothing but “jaw”: _cf._ _Parsius_, i. 115.]

1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. GENUINE.... He was awfully quilled and GENUINED my task. Possibly from calling a thing genuine. _Cf._ to blackguard, to lord, &c. But fifty years ago it was a _subs._ only. [_See_ Appendix.]

*Gip* (or *Gyp*), _subs._ (Cambridge).—A college servant.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 8. My GYP said he thought he knew some one who’d give me eighteen shillings for it.

*Girdlestoneites* (Charterhouse).—A boarding-house. [From a master’s name.] _See_ OUT-HOUSES.

*Glope*, _verb_ (Winchester: obsolete).—To spit.

*Go.* TO GO DOWN, _verb_ (University).—To leave school or college: by special EXEAT (_q.v._) or at vacation. Whence TO BE SENT DOWN = to be under discipline; to be rusticated.

1863. H. KINGSLEY, _Austin Elliot_, i. 179. How dare you say “deuce” in my presence? You can GO DOWN, my Lord.

1886. DICKENS, _Dict. of Cambridge_, 3. No undergraduate should GO down without obtaining his EXEAT.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 53. I’m thankful to say this Term’s nearly over now.... We shall be able to GO down next week ... which is a blessing.

1898. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Dec., p. 149, “Life at Oxford.” You will think, then, that most of us do no work. Well, a good many do precious little. Still there is this check. All who do not pass their examinations within a certain time must “GO DOWN,” _i.e._ they must leave. It wholly depends upon ourselves, then, how much work we do; and it is naturally a much more difficult matter to “read” in this way than when one has regular schools and studies.

*Goal*, _subs._ (Winchester).—(1) At football the boy who stands at the centre of each end, acting as umpire; and (2) the score of three points made when the ball is kicked between his legs, or over his head, without his touching it. _See_ SCHITT.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 138. Midway between each of the two ends of the line was stationed another boy, as umpire (GOAL he was called), who stood with his legs wide apart, and a gown rolled up at each foot: if the ball was kicked directly over his head, or between his legs, without his touching it, it was a GOAL, and scored three for the party that kicked it.

*God*, _subs._ 1. (Eton).—A Sixth Form boy. _See_ Appendix.

1881. PASCOE, _Life in our Public Schools_. A GOD at Eton is probably in a more exalted position, and receives more reverence than will ever afterwards fall to his lot.

2. (Westminster).—The juniors who, at the WESTMINSTER PLAY (_q.v._), occupy a back gallery. A proposal was made in 1792 to exclude them from the performance on the grand nights, which, however, was successfully resisted. Whence GOD-KEEPER = a Third Election boy, who acts as deputy monitor, and keeps the gallery deities in order.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 155. A rushing noise is heard as of a party of inebriated whirlwinds coming up College, and the _Di Superi_ (in vulgar parlance THE GODS) make their appearance. Now is the time to see the GOD-KEEPER in his glory, in kid gloves, cane, and commanding voice: “Here, Jones, go up closer. Room for three or four more in that corner. Tumble-up, Davis.”

*Going-out Saturday*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—_See_ EXEAT 2.

*Gold Hatband*, _subs._ (old University).—A nobleman undergraduate; a TUFT (_q.v._).

1628. EARLE, _Microcosmography_. His companion is ordinarily some stale fellow that has been notorious for an ingle to GOLD HATBANDS, whom hee admires at first, afterwards scornes.

1889. _Gentleman’s Mag._, June, p. 598. Noblemen at the universities, since known as “tufts,” because of the gold tuft or tassel to their cap, were then known as GOLD HATBANDS.

*Golgotha*, _subs._ (old University).—The Dons’ gallery at Cambridge; also a certain part of the theatre at Oxford. [That is, “the place of skulls” (_cf._ Luke xxiii. 33 and Matt. xxvii. 33); whence the pun, Dons being the heads of houses.]

1730. JAS. MILLER, _Humours of Oxford_, Act ii., p. 23 (2nd ed.). Sirrah, I’ll have you put in the black-book, rusticated—expelled—I’ll have you _coram nobis_ at GOLGOTHA, where you’ll be bedevilled, Muck-worm, you will.

1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v.

1791. G. HUDDESFORD, _Salmagundi_ (Note on, p. 150). GOLGOTHA, “The place of a Skull,” a name ludicrously affixed to the Place in which the Heads of Colleges assemble.

1808. J. T. CONYBEARE in C. K. SHARP’S _Correspondence_ (1888), i. 324. The subject then of the ensuing section is _Oxford News_ ... we will begin by GOLGOTHA.... Cole has already obtained the Headship of Exeter, and Mr. Griffiths ... is to have that of University.

*Gomer*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester).—A large pewter dish used in College. [Probably from its holding a _homer_ or _omer_ in measure: _see_ quots.]

1610-31. DONNE. Not satisfied with his GOMER of manna.

_d._ 1656. HALL, _Satires_, Bk. v. He that gave a GOMER to each.

1778. _Inventory of Kitchen and Hall._ Twenty-four GOMERS (amongst dishes and brass pots).

2. A new hat: specifically, a beaver when first introduced: but _see_ quot., PEALS, and Appendix.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 68. Top-boots are no longer considered, by young gentlemen of twelve, “your only wear” to go home in, although the term for them—GOMERS (i.e. _go-homers_)—still survives in the Winchester vocabulary.

*Good-breakfast*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A breakfast given to those DISTINGUISHED (_q.v._) every term: also called DISTINCTION-BREAKFAST. _Cf._ DO and GOOD-SUPPER.

*Good-creatures*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Meat, vegetables, and pudding. [From a quaint old-fashioned “Scholars’ grace”—“Lord, bless to us these thy GOOD-CREATURES,” &c.]

*Good-day*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A free day given at the end of the school year to those distinguished in mathematics. There is also a “Rhetoric GOOD DAY,” given to the RHETORICIANS (_q.v._), and a “Certificate GOOD DAY,” given to candidates for the Higher Certificate Examination.

*Good-Four-o’clock*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A repast similar in character to a GOOD-SUPPER and a GOOD-BREAKFAST (both of which see).

*Good-supper*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A supper given for a special reason: _e.g._ the CHOIR-SUPPER (that given to members of the Choir); the ACTORS’-SUPPER (that given to the participants in Shrovetide-plays); the ELEVEN-SUPPER (to the Cricket eleven after an “out” match), &c. _Cf._ DO and GOOD-BREAKFAST.

*Goose-match*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A cricket match played between the School Eleven and a team of Old Harrovians on Michaelmas Day, or as near to it as possible. The Eleven opposing the School are called “the geese.” _See_ Appendix.

*Gosh*, _subs._ (Winchester).—To spit.

*Gown*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester: obsolete).—Coarse brown paper.

2. (University).—The schools as distinguished from the TOWN (_q.v._): _e.g._ TOWN and GOWN.

1847. THACKERAY, _Punch’s Prize Novelists_, “Codlingsby,” p. 232. From the Addenbroke’s hospital to the Blenheim turnpike, all Cambridge was in an uproar—the College gates closed—the shops barricaded—the shop-boys away in support of their brother townsmen—the battle raged, and the GOWN had the worst of the fight.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, II., ch. iii. When GOWN was absent, Town was miserable.

1891. _Pall Mall Gaz._, 30th May, p. 4, c. 3. Town and GOWN joined in harmony.

*Gownboy*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A scholar on the foundation: they wore at the Charterhouse black Eton jackets, black trousers, shoes called GOWSERS (_q.v._), and gowns. This distinctive garb was abolished in 1872.

*Gownboy-arch* (Charterhouse).—An arch near the east end of the chapel, formerly the doorway from Scholars’ Court into Gown-boys. The earliest Old Carthusian name inscribed on it bears date 1778.

*Gownboy-cricket*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Cricket in which there are twenty bowlers to one batsman, with no fielders.

*Gownboys* (Charterhouse).—A boarding-house. [Because on migration to Godalming in 1872 nearly all the old GOWNBOYS (_q.v._) were received there.]

*Gowner*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The GOAL (_q.v._) at football stood with his legs stretched out, and a gown, rolled up into a ball, at each foot. When the ball was kicked over either of these gowns, without goal’s touching it, this counted two for the party who kicked it.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840). Also _see_ GOAL and SCHITT. Now obsolete.

*Gownsman* (also *Gown*), _subs._ (University).—A student.

1800. C. K. SHARPE, in _Correspondence_ (1888), i. 96. A battle between the GOWNSMEN and townspeople ... in spite of the Vice-Chancellor and Proctors.

1850. F. E. SMEDLEY, _Frank Fairlegh_, ch. xxv. The ancient town of Cambridge, no longer animated by the countless throngs of GOWNSMEN, frowned in its unaccustomed solitude.

1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, III. By the time Mr. Bouncer finished these words, the coach appropriately drew up at the “Mitre,” and the passengers tumbled off amid a knot of GOWNSMEN collected on the pavement to receive them.

1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_. The townsmen ... were met by the GOWNSMEN with settled steady pluck.

*Gowsers*, _subs._ (Charterhouse: obsolete).—Shoes.

*Grammar*, _subs._ 1. (Stonyhurst).—The Lower Fourth Form.

2. (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Grand-matches*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The three final matches of the STONYHURST-FOOTBALL (_q.v._) season, played always on the Thursday before Shrove-tide, and on the following Monday and Tuesday. These days are school holidays, and in the evenings the great plays of the year are given.

*Grass*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Vegetables.

TO BE SENT TO GRASS, _verb. phr._ (University).—To be rusticated; to RECEIVE A TRAVELLING SCHOLARSHIP (_q.v._).

1794. _Gent. Mag._, p. 1085. And was very near rustication [at Cambridge] merely for kicking up a row after a beakering party. “Soho, Jack!” briskly rejoined another, “almost presented with a travelling fellowship? very nigh being SENT TO GRASS, hey?”

*Greaser*, _subs._ 1. (Durham: obsolete).—A cad.

2. (Winchester: obsolete).—A mode of torture performed by rubbing a boy’s head hard with the knuckles.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Great-go* (or *Greats*), _subs._ (Cambridge).—The final examination for the B.A. degree: _cf._ LITTLE-GO. At Oxford, GREATER.

1841. _Prince of the New-made Baccalere, Oxford._ GREAT-GO is passed.

1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_, ch. x. Both small and GREAT are sufficiently distant to be altogether ignored, if we are that way inclined.

1856-7. THACKERAY, _King of Brentford’s Test._, st. 7. At college, though not fast, Yet his little-go and GREAT-GO, He creditably pass’d.

1871. _Morning Advertiser_, April 28. Yes, Mr. Lowe has been plucked for his GREAT GO.

1883. _Echo_, 3rd May, p. 2, c. 4. But few, indeed, are the men who have been in for GREATS during the last twenty years, and who have not blessed Mr. Kitchin for his edition of the _Novum Organum_.

*Grecian*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A senior boy.

1870. _Blue Budget_, March. We have the full sanction and approval of the GRECIANS, and some of them intend even to contribute articles themselves.

1871. _The Blue_, Aug. Boys are taken at the age of seven years and remain till they are sixteen.... If at their sixteenth year they have shown remarkable aptitude, they are allowed to remain longer, and as GRECIANS—a traditional title, the origin of which is unknown—to pursue more advanced studies and to enjoy certain privileges as to table. [_See_ Appendix.]

*Green.* 1. (Charterhouse).—The cricket-ground. _See_ UNDER-GREEN.

2. (Felsted: obsolete).—A Post-Office Order. [From the colour.]

*Green-back*, _subs._ (University).—One of Todhunter’s series of mathematical text-books. [Because bound in green cloth. _Cf._ BLUE-RUIN = Bohn’s _Classical Series_.]

*Green Book, The* (Charterhouse).—A record of the date of entering and leaving the school: this has been somewhat loosely kept, and gaps are conspicuous.

*Green-room Boys*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—Boys chosen to be the stage-manager’s assistants at the Shrove-tide plays.

*Greens, The* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—Two large grass plots, or lawns and shrubberies, on the south front. A cricket-ball hit full pitch into either of these from the opposite end of the playground was known as “A Greener.” Whence GREEN-BOYS = boys who used to look after the “GREENS.”

*Greeze*, _subs._ (Westminster).—A crowd.

*Greyers*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Grey flannel trousers: worn by all the school not entitled to white FLANNELS (_q.v._) at cricket.

*Greyhound*, _subs._ (Cambridge: obsolete).—A member of Clare College; a CLARIAN (_q.v._).

1889. WHIBLEY, _Cap and Gown_, xxviii. The members of Clare ... were called GRAYHOUNDS.

*Grind*, _subs._ (common).—(1) Study; reading for an examination. Also as a _verb_. (2) A plodding student. (3) Athletic sports in general: specifically, a training run. Also as _verb_ = to teach; to instruct; to coach.