Part 5
1841. LYTTON, _Night and Morning_, bk. iii. chap. iii. The proctor and his BULL-DOGS came up ... and gave chase to the delinquents; ... the night was dark, and they reached the College in safety.
1847. TENNYSON, _Princess_, Prologue. We unworthier told Of college; he had climb’d across the spikes, And he had squeezed himself betwixt the bars, And he had breath’d the Proctor’s DOGS.
1880. BREWER, _Reader’s Handbook_. BULL-DOGS, the two servants of a university proctor, who follow him in his rounds, to assist him in apprehending students who are violating the university statutes, such as appearing in the streets after dinner without cap and gown, &c.
2. (Cambridge: obsolete).—A Fellow of Trinity College.
*Bully*, _subs._ (Eton).—A mellay at football: the equivalent of the Rugby SCRUMMAGE (_q.v._), and the Winchester HOT (_q.v._).
*Bunker’s Hill* (Stonyhurst).—A row of cottages outside Hodder grounds. Originally called Bankhurst, but after a battle here between the inhabitants and the new-comers a century ago, its present name was given to it. (See _Stonyhurst Mag._, ii. 92.)
*Bum-brusher*, _subs._ (general).—A schoolmaster; also an usher.
1704. T. BROWN, _Works_ (1760), ii. 86. [Dionysius] was forced to turn BUM-BRUSHER.
1788. _New London Magazine_, p. 137. A successor was immediately called from that great nursery of BUM-BRUSHERS, Appleby School.
1832. _Blackwood’s Mag._, Oct., p. 426. To protract existence ... in the shape of BUM-BRUSHERS, and so forth, after the fashion of the exalted emigrés of 1792.
1838. _Comic Almanac_, Dec. [Schoolmaster’s Letter signed] Barnabas BOM-BRUSH.
*Bum-curtain*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—An academical gown—scant and short; especially applied to the short black gown worn till 1835 by members of Caius College.
1835. (Quoted in WHIBLEY’S _Three Centuries of Cambridge Wit_ [1889].) ’Tis the College of Caius—’tis the land where the “BUM-CURTAIN” lately was sported by each jolly chum, But now black and blue are the gowns that they wear Like the eye of a drunkard returned from a fair.
*Bumf*, _subs._ (general).—Paper. _See_ Appendix.
*Bumf-hunt*, _subs._ (Wellington).—A paper-chase.
*Bumming*, _subs._ (Wellington).—A thrashing.
*Bump*, _subs._ and _verb_ (University).—_See_ BUMPING-RACE.
*Bumping-race*, _subs._ (University).—Eight-oared inter-Collegiate races, rowed in two divisions of fifteen and sixteen boats respectively, including a SANDWICH BOAT (_q.v._), _i.e._ the top boat of the second division, which rows bottom of the first. The boats in each division start at a distance apart of 175 feet from stern to stern in the order at which they left off at the last preceding race, and any boat which overtakes and BUMPS another (_i.e._ touches it in any part) before the winning post is reached, changes places with it for the next race. Hence BUMP-SUPPER = a supper to commemorate the event.
1849. THACKERAY, _Pendennis_, iii. He listened, and with respect too, to Mr. Foker’s accounts of what the men did at the University of which Mr. F. was an ornament, and encountered a long series of stories about boat-racing, BUMPING, College grass-plats, and milk-punch.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, x. A BUMP-SUPPER—that is, O ye uninitiated! a supper to commemorate the fact of the boat of one College having, in the annual races, BUMPED, or touched the boat of another College immediately in its front, thereby gaining a place towards the head of the river,—a BUMP-SUPPER was a famous opportunity for discovering both the rowing and paying capabilities of Freshmen, who, in the enthusiasm of the moment, would put down their two or three guineas, and at once propose their names to be enrolled as members at the next meeting of the club.
1860. _Macmillan’s Magazine_, March, p. 331. The chances of St. Ambrose’s making a BUMP the first night were weighed.
1865. _Sketches from Cambridge_, p. 7. I can still condescend to give our boat a stout when it makes a BUMP.
1886-7. DICKENS, _Dictionary of Cambridge_, p. 11. Any boat which overtakes and BUMPS another ... before the winning post is reached, changes place with it for the next race.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 2. I’m rowing in our first Lent boat. We ought to make some BUMPS. _Ibid._, 51. We had a grand BUMP-SUPPER, with lots of speeches.
1900. _Westminster Gaz._, 21st Feb., 8. 3. In the Second Division, Worcester BUMPED Christ Church II. at the Ferry. Hertford left off at the head of the division.
*Bunk*, _verb_ (Wellington and Sherborne).—To expel from school.
*Bunky*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Awkward; ill-finished.
*Bunny-grub*, _subs._ (Cheltenham).—Green vegetables; GRASS (_q.v._).
*Burr*, _verb_ (Marlborough).—To tussle or fight in a noisy, but friendly manner. Also as _subs._
*Butcher.* TO BUTCHER ABOUT, _verb. phr._ (Wellington).—To make a great noise; to humbug.
*Buttery*, _subs._ (University).—A college kitchen. [See _Twelfth Night_, i. 3; TAYLOR, _Works_, i. 113.]
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iv. He was bearing a jug of BUTTERY ale (they are renowned for their ale at Brazenface).
*Buying*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An opportunity which is given for the purchase of pastry in the refectory at “BREAD-AND-BEER” (_q.v._) time.
*Cab*, _subs._ (general).—An adventitious aid to study; a CRIB (_q.v._); a PONY (_q.v._). [From CABBAGE (_q.v._) = pilferings.]
1853. BRADLEY (“Cuthbert Bede”), _Adventures of Verdant Green_. Those who can’t afford a coach get a CAB, _alias_ a crib, _alias_ a translation.
1876. _Academy_, 4th Nov., p. 448, col. 2. The use of translations, “cribs,” or CABS as boys call them, must at some time or other engage the serious attention of schoolmasters.
*Cabbage*, _subs._ (general).—A translation; a CAB (_q.v._). Also as _verb_ = to use a translation or other adventitious aid in preparing exercises; to “crib.”
1837. GEN. P. THOMPSON, _Exerc._ (1842), iv. 234. A speech, which ... had been what schoolboys call CABBAGED, from some of the forms of oration ... published by way of caricature.
1862. H. MARRYAT, _Year in Sweden_, ii. 387. Steelyards ... sent by Gustaf Wasa as checks upon country dealers, who CABBAGED, giving short weight.
*Cacus* (Stonyhurst).—The Library lumber-room.
1888. _Stonyhurst Mag._, July, p. 185. The dust and darkness of CACUS is destined to give place to the (comparatively) gilded splendour of a Philosopher’s room. Two new windows are being opened in the wall of the Elizabethan front over the old Bailey window.... Hitherto CACUS has been shrouded in utter darkness, ... a receptacle for ... all the literature, which ... had not been assigned a place in the Library.
*Cad*, _subs._ (general).—A non-school or non-University man: in contempt. At Cambridge SNOB, the word Thackeray used, has long been a common term for a townsman; now the undergrad. says TOWNEE or TOWNER (_q.v._). The German analogue is PHILISTER.
1831. HONE, _Year-Book_, 670. Preceded by one or two bands of music in two boats, rowed by CADS.
1856. BRADLEY (“Cuthbert Bede”), _Adventures of Verdant Green_, i. p. 117. And I can chaff a CAD.
1860. _Macmillan’s Mag._, March, p. 327. You don’t think a gentleman can lick a CAD, unless he is the biggest and strongest of the two.
1873. _Saturday Review_, September, p. 305. At Oxford the population of the University and city is divided into “Dons, men, and CADS.”
*Café, The* (The Leys).—Head’s House Hall for meals.
*Cake*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A stroke with a cane. Also as _verb_.
1844. _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_ [_The Blue_, Aug. 1874]. The mildest punishment consisted of caning on the open hand (ironically termed CAKES).
*Caker*, _subs._ (The Leys).—A bicycle. [Originally “boneshaker”; whence “shaker” and “CAKER.”]
*Calk*, _verb_ (Eton).—To throw. _See_ Appendix, _s.v._ CORK.
*Call*, _subs._ (Eton).—A remission of ABSENCE (_q.v._). “It is a CALL,” _i.e._ “There is no ABSENCE.”
*Calling-out*, _subs._ (Charterhouse: obsolete).—_See_ PULLING-OUT.
*Calling-over*, _subs._ (Rugby).—Names-calling.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, v. The master of the week came down in cap and gown to CALLING-OVER, and the whole school of three hundred boys swept into the big school to answer to their names.
*Calton.* SEE YOU ON THE CALTON, _phr._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A challenge to fight. [The Calton Hill lies at the back of the school; it and THE DUNGEONS (_q.v._) are the two fighting grounds.]
*Calves*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Pronounced _Caves_. _See_ HALVES.
*Calx*, _subs._ (Eton).—The goal line at football. [From a Latin sense of CALX = a goal, anciently marked with lime or chalk.] At Eton CALX is a space so marked off at each end of WALL; GOOD CALX is the end at which there is a door for a goal; BAD CALX the end where part of an elm-tree serves the purpose.
1864. _Daily Telegraph_, Dec. 1. The Collegers were over-weighted ... and the Oppidans managed to get the ball down into their CALX several times.
*Campus Martius*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—Until recently the name by which the battle-ground in THE DUNGEONS (_q.v._) was known; now dying out. Formerly the scene of encounters between different classes.
*Canals, The* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The two ponds in front of the College.
*Candle-keepers*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The seven seniors in College by election who are not Præfects. They enjoy most of the privileges of Præfects without their powers.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 30. The Seven CANDLE-KEEPERS (why so called I have no idea, nor have I ever heard any interpretation of the appellation). These were the seven inferiors who had been longest in the school, quite independently of their position in it; they were generally old and tough. Of these, the senior had almost as much power as a Præfect; he had a “valet” in chambers, one or two “breakfast fags,” and the power of fagging the twenty juniors when in school or in meads. The junior CANDLE-KEEPER was called the “Deputy,” and had also some slight privileges besides that of having a valet and breakfast fag, which was common to all of them.
1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, p. 418. _See_ Appendix.
1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 75, “A Day’s Fagging at Winchester.” The CANDLE-KEEPERS are the next in chambers to the præfects; generally fellows who have not much brains, but from having been a long time in the school, having a certain number of “juniors,” and are excused fagging and have certain minor privileges approaching those of a præfect.
*Candlestick*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A humorous corruption of the word “candidate.”
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 175. Each of these [the Electors] had in turn the privilege of nominating a boy for admission into Winchester till all vacancies were filled, of which there were generally about twelve, but always many more “Candidates” (or CANDLESTICKS, as they were often called).
1878. H. C. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, p. 418. CANDLESTICK, merely a facetious version of “candidate.”
*Cannager-canoodle*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A Canadian canoe.
1893. _Felstedian_, June, p. 718, “Oxford Correspondence.” The Char has been daily gay with bright yellow “CANAGGER-CANOODLES,” and pink-and-green Japanese parasols and wobbling punts with their sleeping occupants.
*Cannibal*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—In a BUMPING-RACE (_q.v._) a College may be represented by more than one boat. The best talent is put into the first, but it has sometimes happened that the crew of the second have got so well together that it has disappointed the prophets and bumped the first of its own College. In this case it is termed A CANNIBAL, it having eaten up its own kind, and a fine is exacted from it by the University Boat Club.
*Canoodle*, _verb_ (Oxford).—To paddle or propel a canoe.
1879. E. H. MARSHALL, in _Notes and Queries_, 5 S., xi. 375. When I was an undergraduate at Oxford, to CANOODLE was the slang expression for paddling one’s own canoe on the bosom of the Cherwell or the Isis.
*Cantab*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A student at Cambridge University. [An abbreviation of “CANTABRIGIAN.”]
1750. COVENTRY, _Pompey Litt._, II. x. (1785), p. 18, col. 1. The young CANTAB ... had come up to London.
1803. _Gradus ad_ CANTAB. (Title.)
1821. BYRON, _Don Juan_, c. iii., st. 126. And I grown out of many “wooden spoons” Of verse (the name with which we CANTABS please To dub the last of honours in degrees).
*Canvas*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 66. The Winchester football game is peculiar. It is played in CANVAS, as it is called. A portion of Meads, some 80 feet by 25, is marked off by screens of canvas on each side, within which the game is played, the two open ends forming the lines of goal, across which the ball is to be kicked. It is placed in the middle of the ground to begin with, and a “hot” formed round it by the players stooping down all close together, with their heads down, and at a given signal trying to force the ball or each other away. The canvas screens answer to the Rugby “line of touch”; when the ball escapes over these it is returned into play by juniors stationed for the purpose, and a hot is formed afresh.
TO GO ON THE CANVAS, _verb. phr._ (Manchester Grammar).—To finish drill (dumb-bells, clubs, &c.), and do gymnastic exercises on the ladder, bars, rings, and ropes. [The floor beneath the latter was once covered with stuffed canvas; the phrase is retained, though the canvas has given way to mats.]
*Cap*, _subs._ 1. (Westminster).—The collection at Play and Election dinners. [The College cap was passed round on the last night of Play for contributions. _Cf._ “to send round the cap.”]
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 157. Queen Elizabeth seems to have been present on at least one occasion, and to have contributed liberally to the CAP, for she is recorded to have paid, in January 1564, the sum of £8, 6s. 8d. for certain plays by the grammar school at Westminster and the children at Powle’s. A shout of “CAP, CAP!” arises, and all available trenchers having been pressed into the service, the captain distributes them amongst the Old Westminster portion of the audience, who present substantial proofs of their satisfaction. The sum collected in the CAP has frequently amounted to above £200. After discharging all expenses of the play the surplus is divided among the performers. But as these expenses have a natural tendency to increase rather than diminish, while the number of old Westminsters present is necessarily fewer than in the more prosperous days of the school, the balance has of late been now and then on the wrong side.
2. (Harrow).—A cap of House Colours, given by Captains of House Cricket elevens to the House eleven, or to some of them. The gift confers permanent membership. Hence, the recipient of such a distinction. _See_ FEZ.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, 94. Second Eleven matches are played between the various Houses, and a challenge cup is presented at the end of the term to the best house. No CAP may play in these matches.
3. (Rugby).—Each House had [1871] two CAPS, one the football cap and the other the house-cap. The former was a sign of distinction, and worn only by the few boys in the school to whom it had been given.... If a boy distinguished himself in cricket, he was allowed to wear a red band; or, as a higher distinction, a blue band.... Distinctions might be varied in all manner of ways according as a boy had won his red or his blue band, his flannels, or his cap.... CAPS are now (1890) given by the head of the School Fifteen. After the CAPS come the FLANNELS (_q.v._), and then come the players without distinction. The CAPS and FLANNELS in each House go to make up the House Fifteen; the FLANNELS, without the CAPS, go to make up the second fifteen in each House, which is called BELOW CAPS, or for brevity, BELOW. The next fifteen in each House are called TWO BELOWS, and so on, though it rarely happens that a House has more BELOWS than two.—LEES KNOWLES.
_Verb_ (general).—To take off or touch one’s hat in salutation: also TO CAP TO and TO CAP IT.
1593. H. SMITH, _Scrm._ (1871), i. 203. How would they CAP me were I in velvets.
1803. _Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_, p. 23, _s.v._ BORE. Other bores are to attend a sermon at St. Mary’s on Sunday ... TO CAP a fellow.
*Captain of Election*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 183. The CAPTAIN OF ELECTION—the boy who gains first place—has the privilege of being almost entirely exempted from the fagging incidental to his junior year, and has his name painted on the election board in gold letters. These tablets, fixed up in the dormitory, go back as far as 1629; and among the names of the CAPTAINS, besides Lord Mansfield, as already mentioned, may be read those of Markman, Warren Hastings, Cyril Jackson and his brother the bishop, Randolph (Bishop), Abbot (Speaker), Longley, &c.
*Captain of the Boats*, _subs. phr._ (Eton).—_See_ quot.
1865. _Etoniana_, p. 164. The CAPTAIN OF THE BOATS is perhaps the greatest person in the school next to the head-master—if, indeed, he does not rival that great authority in the estimation of the boys. The whole regulation of the boats, both as to the selection of the crew of the racing “eight,” and of the CAPTAINS of the several boats which form the Fourth of June procession, rests entirely with him; and as he has a great deal of this kind of patronage at his disposal, his influence is very considerable. The boat crews are in some sort looked upon as the aristocracy of the school, and for this reason the position is an object of social ambition amongst the boys.
*Cargo*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A hamper from home. The word is still in use.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 77. The boys, eager for breakfast, tumultuously rushed out from school-court ... to see if Poole, the porter, had letters, or, what was even more delightful, a CARGO (a hamper of game or eatables from home).
1881. PASCOE, _Every-day Life in our Public Schools_. Scholars may supplement their fare with jam, potted meats, ... or, better still, from the contents of CARGOES, _i.e._ hampers from home.
*Cart*, _verb_ (University).—To defeat: in a match, a fight, an examination, a race, &c. “We CARTED them home” = we gave them an awful licking.
*Case*, _subs._ (Westminster).—The discussion by Seniors and Upper Election preceding a TANNING (_q.v._), and the tanning itself.
*Cathedral*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A silk hat. [Because worn when going to Cathedral.]
*Cat-and-cartridge*, _subs._ (The Leys).—Rabbit (or chicken) with sausage.
*Cat’s*, _subs._ (University).—St. Catharine’s Hall. Hence CAT’S-MEN = members of St. Catharine’s Hall.
_Intj._ (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—The II^{nd} Class. [Formerly it used to be a custom for the II^{nd} class to pursue the I^{st} shouting “Gaits! Gaits! Gai-ai-aits,” to which they replied, “CATS! CATS! Caa-ats!”] _See_ DOGS.
*Cat’s Head*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—The end of a shoulder of mutton.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 84. His meal [dinner] took place at six o’clock P.M. in College (in Commoners’ it was at _one_); it was ample in quantity, and excellent in quality. That of the Præfects was nicely served in joints, that of the Inferiors was divided into portions (Dispars); there were, if I remember rightly, six of these 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 was called “a Middle Cut,” that out of the shoulder a “Fleshy,” the ribs “Racks,” the loin “Long Dispars”; these were the best, the more indifferent were the end of the shoulder, or CAT’S HEAD, the breast, or “Fat Flab,” &c. &c.
*Cat’s-skin*, _subs._ (Rugby).—1. _See_ quot.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, v. His go-to-meeting roof, as his new friend called it. But this didn’t quite suit his fastidious taste in another minute, being too shiny; so, as they walk up the town, they dive into Nixon’s the hatter’s, and Tom is arrayed, to his utter astonishment, and without paying for it, in a regulation CAT-SKIN at seven-and-sixpence.
2. _See_ RABBIT-SKIN.
*Cause-money*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—Up-keep money for the path leading to HILLS (_q.v._).
1891. WRENCH, _Word-Book_, s.v. CAUSE-MONEY. Money paid for the maintenance of the path leading from College towards Hills.
*Causey, The* (Stonyhurst).—The avenue between the two ponds in front of the College.
*Cave*, _intj._ (Eton).—“Beware!” A byword among boys out of bounds when a master is in sight. [From the Latin.]
*Cedar*, _subs._ (Eton).—A pair-oared boat inrigged, without canvas, and very “crank.” [No longer in use.]
*Certificate Good-day*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ GOOD-DAY.
*Chaff*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A small article or plaything. Also as _verb_ = to exchange; to barter. [A.S. _chaffere_ = to deal, exchange, or barter: as _sub._ = merchandise. Also (North) _chaffle_ = to haggle.]
1388. WIMBELTON, _Sermon_ [MS. Hatton, 57, p. 4]. If thou art a margchaunt, disceyve not thi brother in CHAFFARYNG.
1440. _Promptorium Parvulorum_ [MS. Harl. 221, ff. 206]. Rooryne or chaungyne on CHAFFARE for another.
1450. _MS._ Bibl. Reg. 12 B. i. f. 19. _Emere vel vendere_, Anglice to CHAFFARYN.
1844. _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_ [_The Blue_, Aug. 1874]. Pocket-knives, combs, “precious” marbles, tops, and all the other numerous nondescript articles which go to make up the CHAFFS of a Blue.
1877. BLANCH, _Blue-Coat Boys_, 96. CHAFF me your knife.
_Adj._ Pleasant; glad. Also CHAFFY. [Possibly, in this sense, a memory of chaff = banter.] Whence, CHAFF FOR YOU = “So much the better for you.” _Cf._ VEX.
_Intj._ An exclamation of joy or pleasure.
*Challenge*, _subs._ (Westminster).—The entrance examination for Queen’s Scholarship. _See_ quot. [In ancient times (_vide_ STOW) St. Peter’s was one of the three great schools whose scholars were accustomed on the days of their patron Saints to challenge each other to a contest of grammar and versification, which was apparently the earliest form of what was afterwards developed not only into the Westminster CHALLENGE, but into the Eton MONTEM (_q.v._).]
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 182. He undergoes a very severe examination, called the CHALLENGE, the form of which must have been preserved from Queen Elizabeth’s days, and is the last surviving relic of the old scholastic disputations.
*Chamber-day*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A day on which access was allowed to CHAMBERS (_q.v._) during the whole day.—MANSFIELD.
*Chambers*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The College bedrooms: in Commoners called GALLERIES (_q.v._). [CHAMBER is commonly dialectical for bedroom.] _See_ ELECTION CHAMBER.
*Charity-remove*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A “remove” assigned to boys who have remained in the Form below for several successive school quarters.