Part 13
1865. _Etoniana_, p. 70. The restrictions [_temp._ Eliz.] by which the masters were forbidden to take any fees (even from oppidans) was probably evaded, almost from the first, by the system then universal in all transactions of giving presents, under which heading the sons of wealthy parents soon began to pay pretty highly for their education. Traces of this arrangement remain in the custom still prevailing—not at all to the credit of the school—of presenting a sum as LEAVING-MONEY to the head-master and the private tutor. At what time assistant-masters were first appointed does not appear; but they were no doubt paid, up to a comparatively late date, entirely from such fees as the parents of those under their tuition chose to give them.
*Lecker*, _subs._ 1. (Oxford).—A lecture.
2. (Harrow).—The electric light.
*Legion of Honour*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The last twelve in the mathematical TRIPOS (_q.v._).
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.
*Lemonade*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A day of high festival, coming twice a year, at Shrove-tide and at Easter.
*Lemon Peel Fight*, _subs. phr._ (Charterhouse: obsolete).—_See_ quot.
1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, 80. On Shrove-Tuesday, according to a custom dating from 1850 or probably earlier, every boy used to receive half a lemon with his pancake at dinner. This he reserved to use as a missile in the fight which was to take place directly afterwards. At Old Charterhouse, gownboys used to stand against the rest of the school, and the fight consisted in each side pelting the other with the half lemons. It lasted for fifteen or twenty minutes, and was begun and ended by a house bell being rung. During these twenty minutes a good many bruises and black eyes could be received, for combatants fought at quite close quarters; and unpopular monitors were sometimes badly damaged. At New Charterhouse the sides were at first Old Charterhouse _v._ New. In 1877 they were changed again to Out-houses _v._ The Rest. This was the last fight. Grave abuses had crept in. The lemons were no longer simple lemons, but a sort of bomb-shell, loaded with pebbles or ink, and several boys were badly hurt. So the Sixth Form in 1878 “totally abolished LEMON PEEL as a barbarous and obsolete practice.” It required a strong Sixth Form to do this, for the fight was popular, and their action is one of the best things that the school has done for itself. Its abolition differs from the abolition of fighting; the latter became obsolete through the action of public opinion; LEMON PEEL was abolished by an ukase almost in defiance of public opinion.
*Lent Suppers.* _See_ PUBLIC-SUPPING.
*Let.* TO LET IN, _verb. phr._ (Oxford).—To associate with.
1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_, i. He has also been good enough to recommend to me many tradesmen, ... but, with the highest respect for friend Perkins (my scout) and his obliging friends, I shall make some inquiries before LETTING IN with any of them.
*Let-out*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—Any less extensive holiday than a half holiday.
*Levite*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—A boy leaving the school.
*Levy*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ quot.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, viii. In fact, the solemn assembly, a LEVY of the school, had been held, at which the captain of the school had got up, and, after premising that several instances had occurred of matters having been reported to the masters; that this was against public morality and School tradition; that a LEVY of the sixth had been held on the subject, and they had resolved that the practice must be stopped at once.
*Lib*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The Library. Whence LIB. COLL. = a collection of library books.
*Licet*, _adj._ and _adv._ (Winchester).—Allowed; permissible; befitting a Wykehamist.
*Lick.* TO LICK OFF THE FIELD, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—To get five BASES (_q.v._) before the other side scores one, in a FOOTER (_q.v._) House-match: this closes the game.
*Lie.* TO LIE IN, _verb. phr._ (Royal Military Academy).—To keep one’s room when supposed to be out on leave.
*Lincoln Devil* (The), _subs._ (Oxford).—A curious gilded deformed image (copied from a figure in Lincoln Cathedral) which decorates the bows of the Lincoln boat. Replicas are honoured by, and found in the rooms of, most Lincoln men.
*Lines*, _subs._ (general).—The usual punishment—the copying out of so many lines of Greek or Latin. Hence TO BE PUT ON LINES (Harrow) = to have to show up so many lines each half-hour for a certain number of half-holidays, for being late for chapel, &c.
*Links*, _subs._ (Loretto).—A short run or walk before breakfast: about half a mile. [Formerly always across Musselburgh Links: now there are various LINKS according to circumstances.]
*Lion*, _subs._ (old University).—_See_ quot.
1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v. LION.... Also the name given by the gownsmen of Oxford to inhabitants or visitors.
*Lions, The* (Stonyhurst).—The two pillars in front of the College.
*Little Figures*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The old name for the class of ELEMENTS (_q.v._).
1895. _Stonyhurst Magazine_, v. p. 519. I was sent to Stonyhurst, when I was put into the class of LITTLE FIGURES.
*Little Figuricians*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ LITTLE FIGURES.
*Little-go*, _subs._ (University).—The public examination which students at the English Universities have to pass in the second year of residence: also called the “previous examination” (as preceding the final one for a degree), and, at Oxford, SMALLS (_q.v._).
1841. THACKERAY, _King of Brentford’s Testament_, 86, 7. At college, though not fast, Yet his LITTLE-GO and great-go He creditably pass’d.
1849. THACKERAY, _Pendennis_, iii. A tutor, don’t you see, old boy? He’s coaching me, and some other men, for the LITTLE-GO.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, vii. “Oh,” said Mr. Charles Larkyns, “they give you no end of trouble at these places; and they require the vaccination certificate before you go in for your responsions—the LITTLE-GO, you know.”
*Little Man*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot., and Appendix.
1866-72. _Sketchy Memoirs of Eton_, p. 16. He called the footman (or LITTLE MAN ...) and bade him reach down the obnoxious placard.
*Little Refectory*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A room in the old College, sometimes used as a refectory for smaller boys.
*Little-side*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A term applied to all games organised between houses only. _See_ BIG-SIDE.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, vii. In all the games too he joined with all his heart, and soon became well versed in all the mysteries of football, by continual practice at the School-house LITTLE-SIDE, which played daily.
*Lob*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A “yorker”; never, as in ordinary cricket phraseology, an underhand delivery.
*Lobster*, _intj._ (general).—A signal of a master’s approach.
_Verb_ (Winchester).—To cry. [_Lowster_ or _louster_ (South) = to make a clumsy rattling noise.]
*Lockback*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A Holiday or REMEDY (_q.v._), on which, from bad weather or any other cause, the boys did not go on to HILLS (_q.v._), but remained on the school side of Seventh Chamber Passage Gate.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Lockees*, _subs._ (Westminster).—Lockhouse.
*Lockites* (Charterhouse).—_See_ OUT-HOUSES.
*Locks and Keys*, _intj._ (Winchester).—_See_ PEALS.
*Lock-up*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Locking up—the time by which all have to be in their Houses for the night; the hour varies with the season, from 5.30 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.
*Log*, _subs._ (general).—The last boy of his “form” or “house.”
*Logie*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Sewage.
*Log-pond*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A sewer.
*London-cricket*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The modern game: to distinguish it from STONYHURST-CRICKET (_q.v._).
*Long.* THE LONG (University).—The summer vacation.
1852. BRISTED, _Five Years in an English University_, p. 37. For a month or six weeks in THE LONG they rambled off to see the sights of Paris.
1863. READE, _Hard Cash_, i. 17. “I hope I shall not be [‘ploughed for smalls’] to vex you and puss ...” “... Puss? that is me [sister Julia]. How dare he? Did I not forbid all these nicknames and all this Oxfordish, by proclamation, last LONG.” “Last LONG?” [remonstrates mamma]. “Hem! last protracted vacation.”
THE LONGS, _subs._ (Oxford).—The latrines at Brasenose. [Built by Lady Long.]
*Long-box*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A deal box for holding bats, stumps, balls, &c.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Long Chamber*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot. Long Chamber still exists, but in a very different condition.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, 14. To Francis Hodgson, who was elected Provost in 1840, is primarily due the vast improvement in the condition of the scholars, or collegers, which was effected in the course of the next few years.... LONG CHAMBER, a dormitory containing no less than fifty-two beds, notorious for its filth and discomfort, was considerably curtailed, and separate rooms were provided for forty-nine boys by the erection of a new wing.
*Long-dispar*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 84. There were six of these [DISPARS (_q.v._) or portions] to a shoulder, and eight to a leg of mutton, the other joints being divided in like proportion. All these “dispars” had different names; the thick slice out of the centre of the leg was called a “middle cut,” ... the ribs “Racks,” the loin LONG DISPARS.
*Long-fork*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 80. We had not proper toasting forks, but pieces of stick called LONG FORKS.
*Long-glass*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot.
1883. *Brinsley Richards*, _Seven Years at Eton_, 321. A glass nearly a yard long, shaped like the horn of a stage-coach guard, and with a hollow globe instead of a foot. It held a quart of beer, and the ceremony of drinking out of it constituted an initiation into the higher circle of Etonian swelldom. There was LONG-GLASS drinking once or twice a week during the summer half. The _invités_ attended in an upper room of Tap after two, and each before the long glass was handed to him had a napkin tied round his neck. It was considered a grand thing to drain the glass without removing it from the lips, and without spilling any of its contents. This was difficult, because when the contents of the tubular portion of the glass had been sucked down, the beer in the globe would remain for a moment as if congealed there: then if the drinker tilted the glass up a little, and shook it, the motionless beer would give a gurgle and come with a sudden rush all over his face. There was a way of holding the long glass at a certain angle by which catastrophes were avoided. Some boys could toss off their quart of ale in quite superior style, and I may as well remark that these clever fellows could do little else.
*Long-grass*, _subs._ (Winchester).—All MEADS (_q.v._) except the paths and TURF (_q.v._).
*Long-meads*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester).—A field between SICK-HOUSE (_q.v._) and COMMONERS (_q.v._): now thrown into MEADS (_q.v._).
2. (Winchester).—“The time after dinner on summer evenings, when we went on to UNDERHILLS.”—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Long-paper*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Foolscap.
*Long Quarter*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—One of the school terms: now the shortest of the three, which are LONG, SUMMER, and ORATION QUARTER. The SUMMER is colloquially known as CRICKET-QUARTER, and the oration has been abolished.
*Long Room, The* (Stonyhurst).—The Museum. [From its shape.]
*Long Wallyford*, _subs._ (Loretto).—The usual run on a wet short school day: about five miles. _See_ WALLYFORD and FASIDE.
*Lord’s* (Winchester and Harrow).—_See_ Appendix.
*Lorettonian*, _subs._ (Loretto).—Frequently applied to boys who wear even fewer clothes than usual at Loretto; or who delight in violating the conventions of the outside world in sensible ways.
*Lose.* TO LOSE DOWN (Winchester).—_See_ JOCKEY.
*Loss.* FAIN LOSS, _intj._ (Felsted).—The formula by which a claim was made to a vacant seat. An obsolete equivalent was FAIN LO; also NO LOSS. _See_ FAIN.
*Lounge*, _subs._ (Eton and Cambridge).—A treat; a chief meal. _See_ Appendix.
1864. _The Press_, Nov. 12. By the way, we miss the Etonian word LOUNGE, for which there is classic authority. “I don’t care for dinner,” said Harry Coningsby at his grandfather’s table; “breakfast is my LOUNGE.”
*Lout*, _subs._ (Rugby).—Any one of the poorer classes: not necessarily an awkward, lubberly individual.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, v. “Hullo tho’,” says East, pulling up, and taking another look at Tom, “this’ll never do—haven’t you got a hat?—we never wear caps here. Only the LOUTS wear caps. Bless you, if you were to go into the quadrangle with that thing on, I——don’t know what’d happen.”
*Lower Club* (Eton).—_See_ PLAYING-FIELDS.
*Lower Line*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The four lowest classes.
1890. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 2. Well, Johnson _ma_, happening to meet Tompkins _mi_ just before first Prep, &c.
*Low-man*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A Junior Optimé as compared to a Senior Optimé or a Wrangler.
*Luff*, _verb_ (Derby).—To hit out; to slog: as at cricket.
*Lush*, _subs._ (Eton).—A dainty.
*Lux*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A good thing; a splendid thing: _e.g._ My knife is wooston a LUX. A Hertford word [? luxury]. Obsolete.
*Luxer*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A handsome fellow.
*Mad*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Angry; vexed. [Old English, now dial. in England, but universal in America. “Originally severely injured” (SKEAT). “Enraged, furious” (JOHNSON).]
1369. CHAUCER, _Troilus_ [SKEAT, 1894], line 479. Ne made him thus in armes for to MADDE.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, _Titus And._, iii. 1. 104. Had I but seen thy picture in this plight, It would have MADDED me. _Ibid._, iii. 1. 223. If the winds rage doth not the sea wax MAD.
1596. JONSON, _Every Man in His Humour_, iv. 1. You’d MAD the patient’st body in the world.
1607. MIDDLETON, _Your Five Gallants_ [DE VERE]. They are MAD; she graced me with one private minute above their fortunes.
1611. _Acts_ xxvi. 11 [Authorised Version].—And being exceeding MAD against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
1667. PEPYS, _Diary_, iv. 482 [BICKERS, 1875]. The king is MAD at her entertaining Jermin, and she is MAD at Jermin’s going to marry from her, so they are all MAD; and so the kingdom is governed.
1816. PICKERING, _Collection of Words, &c._, s.v. MAD, in the sense of “angry,” is considered as a low word in this country, and at the present day is never used except in very familiar conversation.
1824. R. B. PEAKE, _Americans Abroad_, i. 1. I guess—I’m MADDED, but I’ll bite in my breath a bit—not that I’m sitch a tarnation fool as to believe all you tell me.
1848. RUXTON, _Life in the Far West_, p. 167. That nation is MAD.
1871. _New Era_, April [DE VERE]. The Squire’s MAD riz.
1891. N. GOULD, _Double Event_, p. 189. My eye! won’t he be just MAD.
*Made-beer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—College swipes bottled with rice, a few raisins, sugar, and nutmeg to make it “up.”
*Magistrand*, _subs._ (Aberdeen).—A student in arts of the last (the fourth) year. _Cf._ BEJAN.
*Make*, _verb_ (Winchester).—1. To appropriate.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 46. In the matter of certain articles ... supplied by the College, we used to put a liberal interpretation on the eighth commandment, ... and it was considered fair to MAKE them if you could.
2. To appoint Præfect.
*Man*, _subs._ (general).—A student: almost universal in School phraseology instead of “boy.”
1811. _Lex. Bal._, s.v. MAN (Cambridge). Any undergraduate from fifteen to thirty. As, a MAN of Emanuel—a young member of Emanuel.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iii. The thought that he was going to be an Oxford MAN fortunately assisted him in the preservation of that tranquil dignity and careless ease which he considered to be the necessary adjuncts of the manly character ... and Mr. Verdant Green was enabled to say “Good-bye” with a firm voice and undimmed spectacles.
_See_ WISE MEN OF THE EAST.
*Marker*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A person employed to walk up and down chapel during a part of the service, pricking off the names of the students present.
1849. _Blackwood’s Mag._, May. His name pricked off upon the MARKER’S roll, No twinge of conscience racks his easy soul.
*Master*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A title: of rustics, bargees, &c.
*Match*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A division in which the boys play: e.g. “I’m in the third MATCH.” “This is the second MATCH ground.” “He’s a first MATCH bowler.”
*Math. Ex.*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A mathematical exercise.
*Mathemat*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quots.
1895. Gleanings from _The Blue_, 1870-95, 77. It is true that the MATHEMAT does take the labours of his hands to the Queen, and is proud to do so; but it is a pity that the reputation of the school should depend upon such ceremonies as these. [_See_ Appendix.]
1900. _Pall Mall Gaz._, 20th Mar., 3. 2. One of the things that strike a stranger is the metal plate upon some shoulders, so it may be as well to say here that it merely marks the members of the Mathematical School, which trains boys for the sea, and interested Mr. Samuel Pepys.
*Mathy*, _subs._ (Manchester Grammar).—Mathematics.
*Matron’s-gift*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1844. _Reminiscences of Christ’s Hospital_ [Blue, Aug. 1874]. Once annually the boys were served at supper with what was called the “MATRON’S GIFT,”—cream cheese; but they never could appreciate this luxury. It was in vain that the good old matron, with a sister the very counterpart of herself, walked round the different tables, expatiating in glowing terms upon the merits of this “beautiful cheese,” as she called it, and wondering how any one could fail to have a liking for this luxurious gift.
*May*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—Easter Term examinations, &c.
1852. BRISTED, _Five Years, &c._, 70. As the _MAY_ approached I began to feel nervous.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 104. I suppose you know the Mater and the girls are coming up here for the MAY week. It’s called the MAY week, but we always have it early in June now. I believe, some years ago, it really used to be in May.
1896. _Felstedian_, June, 95, “Cambridge Letter.” The MAYS were rowed under very favourable conditions, and produced some grand struggles.
*Meads*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The College cricket ground. WATER-MEADS = the valley of the Itchen.
*Medes and Persians*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester).—Jumping on a MAN (_q.v._) when in bed.
*Melon*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—A new cadet.
*Men.* _See_ WISE MEN OF THE EAST.
*Mesopotamia*, _subs._ 1. (Oxford).—_See_ quot.
1886. _Pall Mall Gazette_, 23rd June, p. 13. Every Oxford man has known and loved the beauties of the walk called MESOPOTAMIA.
2. (Eton).—_See_ PLAYING-FIELDS.
*Mess*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 219. MESS—The Præfects’ tables in Hall were called “Tub, Middle, and Junior MESS” respectively. The boys who dined at each were also so named. Any number of boys who habitually breakfasted together were so called with some distinguishing prefix, such as “Deputy’s MESS.” In Chambers tea was called MESS; as was also the remains of a joint of meat. Lest the reader should make a “MESS” of all these different meanings, I will give a sentence in which they shall all figure: “Look there, Junior MESS has sat down at Tub MESS, but as they will find nothing left but a MESS, they had better go down to Chambers, as MESS is ready.”
*Middle-briars*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A recess in the middle of cloisters where Eleven meetings used to be held; now a place in cloisters where names are carved: becoming obsolete.
*Middle-cut*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot., and DISPAR.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, p. 84. There were ... eight [portions] to a leg of mutton; ... the thick slice out of the centre of the leg was called a MIDDLE CUT.
*Middle Fire* (Westminster).—_See_ UPPER FIRE.
*Middle-green* (Charterhouse).—The new cricket-ground used by “The Maniacs.”
*Middle-mess*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ MESS.
*Middle Part the Fifth*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester).—Generally called MIDDLE PART. _See_ BOOKS.
*Middle-week*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A half-holiday on every third Monday. [MODERN RUGS (_q.v._) say “because it was never the middle of anything.”]
*Milk-hole*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The hole formed by the ROUSH (_q.v._) under POT (_q.v._).
*Miller* (Harrow).—“The Milling Ground”: between the school-yard and SQUASH (_q.v._) courts. Here all fights had to be conducted in public. The practice is extinct, and the ground is now used as a Morris-tube range.
*Minister*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The superior responsible for the _matériel_: as food, servants, &c.
*Minor*, _subs._ (Eton).—A younger brother. Also MI.
1864. _Eton School-days_, vii. “Let my MINOR pass, you fellows!” exclaimed Horsham.
1890. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 2. I was born in the month of Tompkins MI.
*Mitre*, _subs._ (University).—A hat. _See_ TUFTS.
*Moab*, _subs._ 1. (University: obsolete).—A hat; specifically, the turban-shaped hat fashionable among ladies 1858-9. [From the Scripture phrase, “MOAB is my wash-pot” (Ps. lx. 8).]
1864. _Reader_, Oct. 22. MOAB, a ... hat.... University it is all over. We feel sure we know the undergraduate who coined the expression; he is now a solemn don delivering lectures in Cambridge.
1884. _Graphic_, 20th Sept., p. 307-2. The third, with his varnished boots, his stiff brown MOAB of the newest fashion, his well-displayed shirt-cuffs.
2. (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 190. On the west side of school court, a spacious room, nicknamed MOAB, has been erected, with numerous marble basins, and an unlimited supply of fresh water.
1865. _Etoniana_, 21. Like Wykeham’s scholars, the Eton boys rose [_temp._ Eliz.] at five, said their Latin prayers antiphonally while dressing, then made their own beds and swept out their chambers. Two by two they then “went down” to wash, probably at some outdoor conduit or fountain like the old Winchester MOAB.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 45. Independent of very early hours and somewhat coarse fare, it was not pleasant to have to wash at the old MOAB, as it was called—an open conduit in the quadrangle, where it was necessary, on a severe winter morning, for a junior to melt the ice on the stop-cock with a lighted faggot before any water could be got to flow at all.
*Mob*. TO MOB UP, _verb. phr._ (Charterhouse).—To hustle; TO BARGE (_q.v._); TO BRICK (_q.v._).
*Mods*, _subs._ (Oxford).—The first public examination for degrees. [An abbreviation of “Moderations.”]
1887. _Chambers’s Journal_, 14th May, 310. MODS cannot be attempted until the end of one year from matriculation, and need not be tackled until the expiration of two.
*Monarch*, _subs._ (Eton).—The ten-oared boat.
*Money and Direction Rolls*, _intj._ (Winchester).—_See_ PEALS.