Part 14

*Monitor*, _subs._ 1. (Stonyhurst).—One of the chief members of the Higher Line SODALITY (_q.v._), responsible for the behaviour of the other boys in Church and Chapel.

2. (general).—A senior scholar entrusted with the supervision of school work and pastimes. _See_ PRÆFECT.

*Monkey.* _See_ FRESH-HERRING, and Appendix.

*Monos*, _subs._ (Westminster).—A junior detailed for duty during regular school hours, who remains on guard at the door of the college, as a sentinel, to see that no suspicious characters find their way in. This functionary is known as MONOS [i.e. _Monitor ostii_].... An officer of the same kind ... at Winchester ... bore a similar name, OSTIARIUS (_q.v._).—COLLINS.

*Mons*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A crowd. Also as _verb_: _e.g._ “Square round there, don’t MONS.”

*Montem*, _subs._ (Eton).—An Eton custom up to 1847, which consisted in the scholars going in procession on the Whit-Tuesday of every third year to a mound (Lat. _ad montem_) near the Bath Road, and exacting a gratuity from persons present or passing by. The collection was given to the captain or senior scholar, and helped to defray his expenses at the University. _See_ SALT, and _Sloane MS._ 4839, f. 85.

1890. BREWER, _Phrase and Fable_, s.v. SALT-HILL. The mound at Eton [near the Bath Road], where the Eton scholars used to collect money from the visitors on Montem day. The mound is still called _Salt Hill_, and the money given was called _salt_. The word salt is similar to the Latin _sala’rium_ (salary), the pay given to Roman soldiers and civil officers. _Ibid._ _Montem_.... Sometimes as much as £1000 was thus collected.

*Morning-hills*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. Mansfield, _School-Life_, 52. On holidays and Remedies we were turned out for a couple of hours on to St. Catherine’s Hill ... once before breakfast (MORNING HILLS), and again in the afternoon (MIDDLE HILLS).

*Mortar-board* (or *Mortar*), _subs._ (general).—The trencher-cap worn at certain Public Schools and at the Universities.

1600. KEMP, _Nine Days’ Wonder_, “Ded. Ep.” So that methinkes I could flye to Rome ... with a MORTER on my head.

_d._ 1635. Bishop CORBET to T. Coryate. No more shall man with MORTAR on his head Set forward towards Rome.

1647. FLETCHER, _Fair Maid of the Inn_, v. 2. He ... may now travel to Rome with a MORTAR on’s head.

1857. CUTHBERT BEDE, _Verdant Green_, pt. II. ch. iii. “I don’t mind this ’ere MORTAR-BOARD, sir,” remarked the professor of the noble art of self-defence, as he pointed to the academical cap which surmounted his head.

1864. _Fun_, 21st May, p. 96. Anon I saw a gentle youth (no “_sub fusc_” undergrad.). “_Toga virilis_” he had none, no MORTAR-BOARD he had.

1881. PASCOE, _Every-day Life_, 147. On admission ... a boy provides himself with a MORTAR or college-cap.

1898. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Dec., p. 149, “Life at Oxford.” The wearing of a cap and gown is another novelty for freshmen. At first one is apt to feel very foolish under a “MORTAR-BOARD” and in the folds of the academic gown, particularly in the miserable garb assigned to commoners (_i.e._ undergraduates without scholarships).

*Mouse-digger*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 150. Plying the MOUSE-DIGGER (a kind of diminutive pick-axe) in search of mice.

*Mud-student*, _subs._ (general).—A student at the Agricultural College, Cirencester.

1856. _Notes and Queries_, 2 S., ii. 198. A young friend of mine ... a MUD-STUDENT.

*Muff*, _verb_ (Eton).—To fail in an examination; TO BE SPUN (_q.v._) or PLUCKED (_q.v._); TO SKIP A COG (_q.v._).

1884. JULIAN STURGIS, in _Longmans’ Mag._, iii. 617. Freddy and Tommy and Dicky have all MUFFED for the army. It’s really dreadful!

TO MUFF A CATCH, _verb. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—To catch a ball against the chest, or in any way not clean with both hands. In cricket, as played at Stonyhurst, such a catch did not put the batsman out: obsolete.

*Mug*, _verb_ (Winchester and Sherborne).—(1) To study; to work hard: _e.g._ I MUGGED all the morning, and shall thoke (Winchester) this afternoon. (2) To take pains; to beautify: _e.g._ “He has MUGGED his study, and made it quite cud.” [_Cf._ _mug_ = to paint the face or “make up.”] Hence MUGSTER = a hard-working student. _See_ -STER and BAT-MUGGER.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 122. The præfects would ... set to work MUGGING.

1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 74. I remember that the senior præfect is going to get up to MUG early before chapel.

1890. G. ALLEN, _The Tents of Shem_, xxiv. “Miss Knyvett,” and he paused with his brush upturned, “you’re a sight too clever for me to talk to.” “Not clever,” Iris corrected; “only well read. I’ve MUGGED it up out of books, that’s all.” _Ibid._, ii. Instead of reading her “Odyssey” and her “Lucretius,” and MUGGING up amusing works on conic sections.

*Muse*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The Museum.

*Mustard-and-Pepper Keeper*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester).—An appointment in the gift of Præfect of Hall, which exempted the holder from WATCHING-OUT (_q.v._) at cricket, or KICKING-IN (_q.v._) at football.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840). Obsolete.

*Muttoner*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A blow on the knuckles from a cricket-ball while holding the bat.

*Muzz*, _verb_ (Westminster).—To read.

*Nail*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot., and BIBLING.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 221. To stand up under the NAIL—the punishment inflicted on a boy detected in a lie; he was ordered to stand up on Junior Row, just under the centre sconce, during the whole of school time. At the close of it he received a Bibler.

_Verb._ To impress for any kind of fagging; to detect.

*Name.* TO ORDER ONE’S NAME, _verb. phr._ (Winchester: obsolete).—_See_ quots.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_, 223. ORDER YOUR NAME. An order given to a delinquent by the Head or Second Master, which was carried out by the boy requesting the Ostiarius to do so, the consequence of which was, that at the end of school that officer presented to the Master the victim’s name on a Roll, who forthwith received a Scrubbing. When the words to the Bible-clerk were added, the business was confided to that officer, who, with the Ostiarius, officiated at the subsequent ceremony, which in this case was called a Bibler.

1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, xxiii. 429. ORDER YOUR NAME, the direction given to an offender by any of the authorities. The boy so directed, if he was in College, or if the order was given in school, had to go to the Ostiarius—or to the Præfect in course, if the offence was committed in Commoners—and give information of the order, and the reason why it had been given. The Ostiarius, or the Præfect in course, wrote down the culprit’s name, together with that of the Master, and the offence, and carried it up to the Head or Second Master, when due execution was done.

*Native* (pron. _nahtive_), _subs._ (The Leys).—Originally a “crib”: now of varied signification. TO NATIVE A FOOTBALL = to be tricky with it; as _adj._ = clever: also NATIVEY.

*Nescio.* TO SPORT A NESCIO (old University).—_See_ quot.

1823. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_ [EGAN], s.v. NESCIO. HE SPORTS A NESCIO; he pretends not to understand anything. After the senate-house examination for degrees, the students proceed to the schools to be questioned by the proctor. According to custom immemorial the answers must be NESCIO. The following is a translated specimen: _Q._ What is your name? _A._ I do not know. _Q._ What is the name of this University? _A._ I do not know. _Q._ Who was your father? _A._ I do not know.

*Nestor*, _subs._ (Winchester).—An undersized boy.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 221. NESTOR—Any boy who was past eighteen, or was old for his position in the school, or who was known to be much older than he looked.

*New-bug*, _subs._ (general).—A new boy.

*New Guinea*, _subs._ (Oxford: obsolete).—_See_ quot.

1823. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_ [EGAN], s.v. NEW GUINEA. First possession of income.

*News*, _subs._ (The Leys).—One division of the “School House,” with three dormitories—“Upper News,” “Under News,” “Further News.” _See_ OLDS.

*New Settlements*, _subs._ (Oxford: obsolete).—_See_ quot.

1823. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_ [EGAN], s.v. NEW SETTLEMENTS. Final reckonings.

*Newy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The CAD (_q.v._) paid to look after the canvas tent in COMMONER (_q.v._) field.

*Nezzar*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—A young lady.

*Nick*, _verb_ (Durham).—To pray.

*Nicks*, _intj._ (Manchester Grammar).—Cave! Look out! [Said also to be common in Manchester as a warning of the approach of the police.] _See_ Appendix.

*Niff*, _verb_ (Derby).—To smell.

*Nig*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A dodge. Obsolete.

*Nigshious*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Ingenious: _e.g._ “a NIGSHIOUS dodge.” Obsolete.

*Nihil-ad-rem*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Vague; unconscious. _Ex._ “He sported NIHIL-AD-REM ducks.”

*Nine Steps.* _See_ KITTLE-NINE-STEPS.

*Nipper*, _subs._ (Loretto).—Originally a boy of the lowest Form: since there has been a preparatory House the term is applied to all the boys there.

*Nipperkin*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A stone jug used for serving beer in College between meals. Tea has long been substituted for beer.

_c._ 1696. B. E., _Dict. Cant. Crew_, s.v. NIPPERKIN. Half a pint of Wine, and but half a Quartern of Brandy, strong waters, &c.

1698-1700. WARD, _Lond. Spy_, II. (1706), i. 31. By that time we had sipp’d off our NIPPERKIN of my Grannums _Aqua Mirabilis_.

1719. DURFEY, _Pills to Purge_.... Song, Quart-pot, pint-pot, NIPPERKEN, &c.

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

1832. _Noctes Ambrosianæ_, Sept. William III., who only snoozed over a NIPPERKIN of Schiedam with a few Dutch favourites.

1882. J. ASHTON, _Social Life in Reign of Q. Anne_, i. 197. [Beer] was of different qualities, from the “penny NIPPERKIN of Molassas Ale” to “a pint of Ale cost me five-pence.”

1883. TROLLOPE, _What I Remember_. It was the duty of the bedmakers to carry every evening into each chamber a huge NIPPERKIN of beer.

*Nob*, subs. (Oxford: obsolete).—The Fellow of a College. [Probably the original application of the colloquial usage = a person of rank or position; from “nobility.” _Cf._ MOB, from _mobile vulgus_.]

1825. _English Spy_, i. 136. “We must find you some more tractable personage; some good-humoured NOB.”

*Noggs*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A hereditary name for Custos’ assistant. [From Dickens: the first owner’s name was Newman—hence NOGGS.]

*Nomenclature* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Non-attached* (or *Non-collegiate*), _adj._ (Oxford).—Most of the students belong to a college or hall, but in 1868 what was at first known as the “NON-ATTACHED,” and is now designated the “NON-COLLEGIATE” system, was established. The system, a revival of one that prevailed in ancient times, is under the control of a body termed the Delegacy, the chief officer being named the Censor. Efficient provision is made for tuition, but its members live in their own lodgings in the city, and are thus able to suit their own pockets. Supervision is retained over the lodging-houses in a sanitary and other points of view, from the fact that they have to be licensed by the University authorities.

*Non-licet*, _adj._ and _adv._ (Winchester).—Illegal; unbefitting a Wykehamist. _Ex._ “Don’t sport NON-LICET notions.”

*Nonsense*, _subs._ (Eton).—A small division of the Third Form. Now abolished.

*Northwick* (The),_ subs._ (Harrow).—The Northwick rifle: given by Lord Northwick for the best aggregate of seven shoots during the season.

*Noter*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A note-book.

*Notion*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A word, phrase, or usage peculiar to Winchester College.

*Novi*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—A new boy.

*Nurse*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A matron.

_c._ 1800. “Christ’s Hospital Seventy-five Years Ago” (_Blue_, Nov., 1875). The NURSES were permitted to flog and punish the boys as they thought proper, and some of the NURSES were cruel women. One poor fellow in my ward was labouring under a bodily infirmity. The brute of a nurse used constantly to flog him with nettles, fresh-gathered from time to time for the purpose, declaring they had the virtue of strengthening his bodily frame, &c.! [_See_ Appendix.]

*Nursery* (The), _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A gallery at one end of Big School, in which the lowest two classes are taught.

*Oak*, _subs._ (University).—An outer door. TO SPORT ONE’S OAK = to be “not at home,” indicated by closing the outer door.

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

1840. _The Collegian’s Guide_, 119. In college each set of rooms is provided with an OAK or outer door, with a spring lock, of which the master has one key, and the servant another.

1853. BRADLEY (“Cuthbert Bede”), _Verdant Green_, iv. This is the HOAK, this ’ere outer door is, sir, which the gentlemen sports, that is to say, shuts, sir, when they’re a-readin’. _Ibid._, viii. Mr. Verdant Green had, for the first time, SPORTED HIS OAK.

1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_, vii. One evening he found himself as usual at Hardy’s door about eight o’clock. The OAK was open, but he got no answer when he knocked at the inner door.

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 55. He tried to keep them out, but they broke in his OAK, stripped him, tied him up in his table-cloth, and left him on the grass plot where the porter found him.

*Ob*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A contraction of _obit_.

*Obeum* (The), _subs._ (Cambridge).—A water-closet building at King’s College. [Attributed by the undergraduates to the energy of O[scar] B[rowning].]

*Off-bat*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—“Point”: at cricket.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_, 222. OFF BAT, the station of one of the field in a cricket match, called by the outer world “Point.”

*Officer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A College Præfect when in office: as the Præfect of Hall, Chapel, School, or Library.

*-oi*, _inseparable suffix_ (Tonbridge).—Indicative of complaisant disdain: e.g. TO DO THE BLEED-OI (_see_ BLEED) = to swagger; to appear to be distinguishing oneself.

*Oiler*, _subs._ (University).—A cad.

*Oips*, _subs._ (Haileybury).—Boys who are not good enough for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or Below Bigside Elevens play in the OIPS. [An abbreviation of _Hoi polloi_.]

*Old Cars*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Old Carthusians: regarded as a vulgarism.

*Old Pig* (The).—_See_ PIG.

*Old Schools, The* (Harrow).—The original school building erected by John Lyon, together with the “Old Speech-room,” which, however, is of much later date.

*Olds*, _subs._ (The Leys).—A division of the “School House,” three dormitories—“Upper Olds,” “Under Olds,” and “Under Under.” _See_ NEWS.

*On*, _adv._ and _intj._ (Winchester: obsolete).—The word to start given by the Præfect of Hall when the School went in procession to Hills, Cathedral, &c. Also as in quot. _See_ Appendix.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 222. When any person or thing of importance was known to be likely to meet the boys when on Hills, the word was passed that he, she, or it was ON—_e.g._ Ridsworth ON, snobs ON, badger ON, &c.

1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, xxiii.

*On-and-Off*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—Lemonade.

1894. _Tonbridgian_, No. 330, 919. The scene is one of the wildest disorder. The writhing mass, in their efforts to obtain the desired article, tread on each other’s toes, spill the “OFF AND ON” down one another’s garments, and knock each other about with their elbows.

1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 444. “ON AND OFF” signifies home lemonade, and is so called because of the tap from which it flows.

*Ones*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A competition at football, one player a side: organised by Mr. Bowen. The play is for five minutes, the ground measures 40 yards by 30 yards, and the BASES (_q.v._) 8 feet.

*Oppidan*, _subs._ (Eton).—A boy who boards in the town, as distinguished from a King’s Scholar.

1865. _Etoniana_, 31. The Latin-English term OPPIDAN was applied to these independent scholars at least as early as Fuller’s days. Speaking of the College, he says, “There be many OPPIDANES there maintained at the cost of their friends.”

1899. _Public School Mag._, Nov., p. 367. If there is any need for a test match between college and the OPPIDANS, we should suggest that they should play the winning house in the House match, and hope to beat it.

*Optime*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The name given to the second class in the first portion of the public examination for honours, called the Mathematical Tripos, those placed in the first class being known as WRANGLERS (_q.v._), and those in the third class as Junior Optimes.

*Oration Quarter*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—_See_ LONG QUARTER.

*Oratorio*, _subs._ (Sherborne).—The large choir, as distinguished from the chapel choir.

*Order*, _subs._ (general).—Written permission from a tutor to make purchases: as from tailor, &c. _See_ NAME.

*Orders*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—A Head-master’s promise to add a day or two to the holidays: sometimes obtained, so tradition says, by barricading Big School against him.

*Ostiar*, _subs._ (Sherborne: obsolete).—The Præfect on duty at the Big School door: seventeenth century.

*Ostiarius*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—_See_ quots.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_, 223. OSTIARIUS, an office held by the Præfects in succession. The duties were, to keep order in school, collect the Vulguses, and prevent the boys from shirking out. It is also the official title for the Second Master.

1865. _Etoniana_, 133. A peculiarity in the arrangements at Eton is, that the school is practically divided into two. The division seems to have been in force from the very earliest times—the three lower forms having been then, as now, under the charge of the OSTIARIUS, or, as he is now called, the lower master, who has the appointment of his own provost-assistants, and is practically independent of the head-master, and subject only to the control of the provost.

1866. _Wykehamist_, No. 1, Oct. We know of nothing more which calls for notice, except the revival by Dr. Moberly of the OSTIARIUS—an office which had been discontinued for many years, but was revived by the Head-master on account of the great increase in the number of the school.

1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, xxiii. 429. OSTIARIUS, the Præfect in charge of school.

*Othello.* _See_ ROUND.

*Outer*, _subs._ (Durham).—A cad; a “bounder.”

*Out-houses* (Charterhouse).—All the boarding-houses except Sanderites, Verites, and Gownboys. The names of the eight OUT-HOUSES are Girdlestonites, Lockites, Weekites, Hodgsonites, Bodeites, Daviesites, Pageites, and Robinites (the last a contraction of Robinsonites). Except Bodeites, each house bears the name of its first master. One house, Uskites—from a supposed similarity of the surroundings to the valley of the Usk—disappeared in 1878.

*Out-match*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A match played against a visiting team.

*Over-school*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A kind of common sitting-room in the “new” building of 1755. The boys’ boxes were kept there, and ASH-PLANTING (_q.v._) inflicted. The present school-house hall was built on the site.

*Overtoys-box.* _See_ TOYS.

*Ovid* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL.

*Owl*, _subs._ (Cambridge: obsolete).—A member of Sidney Sussex College.

*Packing-up*, _intj._ (Winchester).—_See_ PEALS.

*Pad*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—Writing-paper: _e.g._ “a sheet of PAD”; “lend me some PAD.” [The paper for exercises is generally in the form of writing-pads, from which a sheet may be separated as wanted.]

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

*Palmer*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—A sly fellow.

*Pancake.* TOSSING THE PANCAKE, _verb. phr._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 171. The old Shrove-Tuesday custom of TOSSING THE PANCAKE, though now peculiar to Westminster, is said to have been also formerly in use at Eton. The ceremony as at present performed is this. The cook, preceded by the verger, enters the large school, in full official costume, with the hot cake in the pan. He tosses it—or tries to toss it, for it is no easy feat—over the iron bar, which has been already mentioned as having once held a curtain screening off the upper school from the lower. If he succeeds he claims a fee of two guineas. There is a scramble among the boys, who stand on the other side of the bar, for the PANCAKE, and if any boy can secure it whole, which seldom happens, he carries it up to the dean, who presents him with a sovereign. They also claim a right to “book” the performer (_i.e._ hurl a shower of books at him) if he fails more than once. This right was liberally exercised in 1865, when the wrath of the school had culminated owing to repeated failures in that and the previous year. The exasperated cook replied to the attack with his only available missile—the frying-pan—and a serious row was the consequence. The battle is celebrated in a clever mock-heroic poem, in Greek Homeric verse, attributed to a high Westminster authority.

*Pandie*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—A stroke from the leather strap known as the TAWSE (_q.v._), used in Scotland instead of the cane; a PAUMIE (_q.v._). [From the order given in Latin, _Pande manum_. _See_ _Redgauntlet_.]

*Pantile*, _subs._ (general).—A flat cake covered with jam.

*Panupetaston*, _subs._ (University: obsolete).—A loose overcoat with wide sleeves.

*Paradise*, _subs._ 1. (Oxford).—A grove of trees outside St. John’s College.

2. (Rugby).—A room in the old school (built in 1755) on the site of which the school-house hall now stands. [From its pleasant look-out.]

*Part.* _See_ BOOKS.

*Party Roll*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A list of boys going home together. _See_ PEALS.

*Passy*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Severe: of a master. [That is, “passionate.”—BLANCH.] _See_ Appendix.

1844. _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_ [_The Blue_, Aug. 1874]. Rightly or wrongly, it was the general opinion in our time that punishment in school depended less upon the correctness with which the lessons were said, than upon the temper of the particular master. Frequently and anxiously the question was asked, “Is he PASSY this morning?” and the arrival of a new master created immense excitement. Our first queries were invariably of his manners and temper—matters of far more importance to us than any question as to his ability.

*Patrol*, _subs._ (Dulwich).—Keeping order in Form rooms between morning and afternoon school: a duty of school Præfects.

*Paul’s-pigeons*, _subs._ (common).—The scholars of St. Paul’s School.

*Pawmie*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—A stroke on the hand from the leather strap known as the TAWSE (_q.v._), used in Scotland instead of the cane: also PANDIE (_q.v._). [_Paum_ = palm of the hand.]

*Pavvy, The* (Harrow).—The pavilion on the cricket-ground.

*Pax*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A chum; an intimate friend. [_Cf._ Scots _pack_ = intimate, familiar.]