Part 8

1890. _Great Public Schools_, 297. Besides the ordinary forms of punishment, there is the DATE-CARD, of which refractory or forgetful youths write out selected “twelves.” It is much more useful to know “Gutenberg prints from moveable type, 1453,” than to record “Infaudum, regina, jubes renovare dolorem.”

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

*Day* (Stonyhurst).—Rector’s Day, Provincial’s Day, General’s Day—whole holidays given in honour of superiors; in the two former instances accompanied by presentations of verses written by the boys. [The word “DAY” seems as peculiar as “PLACE” (_q.v._). _Cf._ the “Three hundred-day,” given when the number of boys first reached three hundred; “Kenna’s Day,” on the occasion of the visit of Captain Kenna, V.C., to the College, &c.]

*Day-boys*, _subs._ (Cheltenham).—An exercise on the horizontal bar.

*Dean*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A small band of wood round a BILL-BRIGHTER (_q.v._); that securing a fagot is called a BISHOP (_q.v._).

*Debater*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The school debating society.

*Deeds* (or *Dees*), _subs._ (Felsted).—Private prayers.

*Deg*, _subs._ and _verb_ (The Leys).—To degrade; to depose. Hence, one who has forfeited rank or office by misconduct.

*Degra*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A degradation.

*Degrade*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To feel degradation: _e.g._ he is DEGRADED to do so-and-so.

*Dep*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A deputy GRECIAN (_q.v._), _i.e._ a boy in the form below the GRECIANS.

*Deputy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The Junior CANDLEKEEPER (_q.v._), who had the organisation of the Fagging department, and assisted the Senior CANDLEKEEPER in thrashing the Juniors in Hall.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Derrywag*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Paper used for parsing: ruled twenty lines down, and six across. [That is, “derivation paper.”]

*Deten*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A card issued to a boy set down for Saturday afternoon detention. Also called a SOUP-TICKET.

*Devor*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Plum-cake. [From the Latin verb.]

*Dex*, _subs._ (Loretto).—A form of “small cricket” once extremely popular at Loretto. [The name originated with Andrew Lang, and was not intended to be complimentary to the game. Often called PUDDEX, owing to a mistaken derivation.]

*Dibs* (or *Dobs*), _subs._ (Sherborne).—Prayers.

*Dic*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A dictionary.

*Dinge*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—A picture or painting.

*Dip*, _subs._ 1. (Westminster).—A pocket-inkstand.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 165. Two pen-knives, two pieces of india-rubber, two pencils, two pieces of sealing-wax, two pieces of penstring, two DIPS (little globular ink-bottles), two DIP-CORKS, two wedges, two pieces of gutta-percha (for putting on the points of foils), and any number of pens. [Contents of a Westminster fag’s pocket.]

2. (Felsted).—An “incandescent” electric lamp. Hence DIP-KEY = an electric light switch-key.

*Dispar* (or *Disper*), _subs._ (Winchester).—A portion; a share. _See_ quot., and CAT’S-HEAD.

1847. HALLIWELL, _Arch. Words_, s.v. DISPAR ... A commons or share.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 22. Under the superintendence of the _præfectus ollæ_ (prefect of tub), portions of beef, called DISPARS, were served out to the boys in messes of four, with a sufficiency of bread, and beer in large black jacks.

*Distinction-breakfast*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ GOOD-BREAKFAST.

*Distinguished*, _adj._ (Stonyhurst).—Said of a boy who obtains two-thirds of the marks in any examination. “Distinction” in the year’s work wins a prize, and term “distinctions” are otherwise rewarded.

*Ditch* (The), _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ Appendix.

1854. _The Blue_ [quoted in] July 1871. The Steward did not attempt to quiet us; he got us out of the Hall as quickly as he could, and we rushed to the Treasurer’s house in the DITCH, and cried “Shame” till we were tired.

*Ditto-blues*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A suit of clothes all of blue cloth.

*Div*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A “division”: _e.g._ TIQUE-DIV (_q.v._).

*Do*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A general name for minor and special suppers: usually given to some privileged class, or in reward for some extra work: e.g. Choir-DO; Magazine-DO (given to the staff and contributors to the School magazine). _Cf._ GOOD-SUPPER and GOOD-BREAKFAST. Whence DO-ROOM = the long room in which a DO is held. [As a rule words with the suffix “room” are modern; “PLACE” (_q.v._) is the older form.]

*Dock*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To erase: as by rubbing out, or by a stroke of the pen; to tear out: as leaves from a book. Also DOCK OUT.

*Doctor*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The Head-master.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 27. The Head Master, or the DOCTOR, as he is always called, lives in “Commoners’ buildings.”

*Dog-biscuit*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A biscuit, which with a glass of milk, or (in winter) a cup of coffee, may be had before chapel at 7.30 A.M.

*Dogger*, _verb_ (Charterhouse).—To cheat; to sell rubbish.

*Dogs*, _intj._ (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—The III^{rd} Class: formerly used as was CATS (_q.v._) of the II^{nd} Class.

*Dog-shooter*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—_See_ quot.

1889. BARRERE, _Slang, Jargon, and Cant_, p. 317. Cadets thus term a student who accelerates, that is, who, being pretty certain of not being able to obtain a commission in the engineers, or not caring for it, elects to join a superior class before the end of the term.

*Dole*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A stratagem; a trick: as to get one out of bed. [From Latin _dolus_.]

*Dolifier*, _subs._ (Winchester).—One who contrives a trick. _See_ DOLE.

*Dolphin*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A boy who has passed a certain examination in swimming and diving: about the fifteen best, as a rule, are so named.

1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 96. On the last Monday of the term there is a contest for the best swimmer and the best diver, a challenge cup being given for these events by Lord Ebrington. There are also contests for racing, picking up eggs, and to become “DOLPHINS,” and for a Humane Society medal.

*Dome* (or *Doom*), _subs._ (Sherborne).—A bedroom.

*Domum*, _intj._ (Winchester; obsolete).—The summons back from Hills: given by College Juniors. Also as in quot.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_, 207. DOMUM—a Latin Canticle, supposed to have been written by a boy who was not allowed to go home for the holidays. The tradition says that he carved it on a tree, and then committed suicide. On the last Friday in Long Half, after Election, a kind of festival was held in the evening, when numbers of people came into College, and DOMUM was sung over and over again in School, Meads, and the principal Quadrangle ... at each place (p. 183) singing DOMUM louder than before, till at last the power failed, and the ladies, visitors, and superannuates went to recruit their energies for a brief period before going to the DOMUM-BALL at St. John’s rooms.

*Domum-ball*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A ball given by the superannuated College Prefects on the evening after the “men” go home for the Midsummer holidays.

*Domum-day*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Going-home day at Midsummer.

*Don*, _subs._ (University).—A fellow or officer of a college; whence the vulgar usage = an adept; a swell. [From Latin _dominus_, a lord, through the Spanish title.]

1665. DRYDEN, _Indian Emperor_, Epilogue, 21. For the great DONS of wit—Phœbus gives them full privilege alone, To damn all others, and cry up their own.

1698-1700. WARD, _London Spy_, pt. XIII. p. 299. Like the Great Old DONS of the Law, when they dance the Measures in an Inns-of-Court Hall upon the first day of Christmas.

1730. JAS. MILLER, _Humours of Oxford_, i. p. 7 (2nd ed.). The old DONS ... will come cringing, cap in hand, to offer to show the ladies the curiosities of the college.

1826. REYNOLDS (“Peter Corcoran”), _Song on the Fancy_. Dull innocence! Twaddle on, Thy weary worshipper—and fain Would give thee up, to be a DON, And beat the watch in Drury Lane.

1855. THACKERAY, _Newcomes_, ch. xi. Does not go much into society, except ... once or twice to the houses of great country DONS who dwell near him in the country.

_c._ 1880. _Broadside Ballad_, sung by Jenny Hill. “’Arry, ’Arry, There you are now, ’Arry, I say, ’Arry, by Jove, you are a DON.”

1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 11. What the DONS can be about to allow boys ... to have a bottle of champagne each, and then “more,” I can _not_ understand.

*Dor*, _subs._ (Old Westminster).—_See_ quot. [TO OBTAIN A DOR = to get leave to sleep.—HALLIWELL.]

1715. J. KERSEY, _English Dictionary_. _Sub voce_, a term used at Westminster School for leave to sleep awhile.

*Double*, _subs._ 1. (Loretto).—A general assembly of the school. The first double is for morning prayers at 9.30 A.M. after first hour’s school. After prayers, sides for the day are arranged in Hall. The head boy holds a double after dinner, when the exercise of those not playing in regular games is arranged. [Originally summoned by a double bell.]

2. (Harrow).—A room shared by one other. _See_ SINGLE.

*Double Puff*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—_See_ quot.

1886. _Stonyhurst Mag._, iii. 18. DOUBLE PUFF, ... a game played after the fashion of “tip and run,” except that instead of a wicket and tennis ball a Stonyhurst cricket bat is used, and a ball about the size of an ordinary BANDY (_q.v._) ball, made of soft material and covered with sheepskin, which made it very hard to hit far, and still harder either to catch, or to pick up and throw in.... The distance between the wickets is not as long as in wicket cricket; and the rule about bowling is the same as in Stonyhurst cricket, namely, under-arm and not waiting till the batsman is ready. It used to be played a good many years ago on Sunday afternoons, between Vespers and supper; and the community used to come out in large numbers to play it.

*Double-ruled*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Punishment paper. [Ruled double like a copy-book.]

*Dough*, _subs._ (general).—Pudding.

*Doul*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury and Durham).—A fag. Also as _verb_. Obsolete at Durham. _Cf._ DOWLINGS.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Shrewsbury], p. 250. Four boys are “put on” by rotation every week as general fags for the head common room, whose duties in modern days consist chiefly in fetching and carrying. These fags are called DOULS (δουλος) in the classical Shrewsbury vernacular.

*Dove*, _subs._ (Cambridge: obsolete).—A member of St. Catharine’s College.

1889. C. WHIBLEY, _Three Centuries of Cambridge Wit_, p. xxix. It is said that the members of St. Catharine’s Hall were first of all called “Puritans” from the derivation of the name of their patroness from καθαίρειν. The “dove” being the emblem of purity, to change a name from “Puritans” to DOVES was but one short step.

*Dowlings*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—Football.

1883. PASCOE, _Life at our Public Schools_. There are four or five compulsory games a week (football) known as DOWLINGS (δουλος).

*Down.* TO BE DOWN, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To be engaged in fagging: as in the cricket field, &c. A COLLEGE usage.

Also _see_ GO and SEND.

*Draw.* TO DRAW ROUND, _verb. phr._ (Felsted).—Originally to bustle about; to chastise in a jocular way. Later, and usually = to smack on the face or head.

*Dreep* (or *Dreip*), _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A curiously dressed person: _e.g._ “That’s a funny-looking DREEP.”

*Dribbler*, _subs._ (Sherborne).—A weak-minded person.

*Drifty*, _adj._ (Felsted: obsolete).—Cold: _e.g._ “a DRIFTY day.”

*Drive*, _verb_ (Felsted).—To be late, or nearly late, for a roll-call. Also as _subs._: _e.g._ “He did a drive.”

_Intj._ (Felsted).—A contemptuous retort, signifying that a piece of news is stale: originally DRIVE UP! [The original usage.]

*Dry-bob*, _subs._ (Eton).—A boy who goes in for cricket rather than boating. _See_ WET-BOB.

1839. BUCKLAND [_Macmillan’s Mag._ (Nov. 1889), “Eton Fifty Years Ago”]. It was the ambition of most boys to be a wet-bob, and to be “in the boats.” The school was divided between wet-bobs and DRY-BOBS, the former taking their pleasure on the river, and the latter in the cricket-field.

*Duchess’ Rooms* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A section of the old College once inhabited by a Dowager Duchess of Norfolk.

1885. _Stonyhurst Mag._, ii. 100. The whole of this building ... stood in what is now the back court.... It was entirely of wood and plaster, in the style denominated “post and pattern.” The Duchess of Norfolk, the last of the Shireburns, daughter of Sir Nicholas, resided in it, hence the name of THE DUCHESS’ ROOMS by which it was last known. She faced the front of the wooden building with stone, and inserted sash windows, a style then coming into fashion.

*Dubs*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Double.

*Duck*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester).—The face. TO MAKE A DUCK = to grimace. [DUCK (var. dial.) = to bow.]

2. (Felsted).—A school matron.

3. (Harrow).—One of the House swimming four, upwards of sixteen. Whence DUCKLING = one under sixteen.

1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 96. “Ducker” is open all the summer term, and for two weeks after the boys go back in September. For those who care for swimming there are inter-House swimming matches; and each House elects DUCKS (boys over sixteen) and DUCKLINGS (boys under sixteen) to compete for Cock-House.

*Ducker, The* (Harrow).—The school bathing-place beyond the Footer Fields: the largest artificial open-air bathing place in England. Originally the DUCK-PUDDLE. [Probably the first example of the “-ER” terminations: it is at least forty years old.]

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 322. Bathing was always, until very lately, practised under difficulties at Harrow. The common bathing-place, known as DUCK-PUDDLE ... was a long piece of muddy water, varying from four to eight feet in depth. There, after it had been stirred up by all possible means into more of a puddle than usual, new boys were formally dipped.... To avoid mixing in the general wash at DUCK-PUDDLE, many boys used to go out to the Brent at Perivale, or even as far as Ellestree reservoir, for bathing; and these were favourite expeditions on the mornings of Saints’ days. But Dr. Vaughan had the old “puddle” lined with brick, and supplied with water by a steam-engine, to the great additional comfort of the bathers.

*Ducks*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Football knickerbockers. [Made of white “duck.”]

*Dump*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To extinguish: as a candle. _Ex._ DUMP the TOLLY (_q.v._). [_Dump_ (Devon) = to knock heavily; to stump.]

*Dungeons.* MEET YOU IN THE DUNGEONS, _phr._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A challenge to fight. _See_ CALTON, and CAMPUS MARTIUS.

*Dusthole*, _subs._ (Cambridge: obsolete).—Sidney Sussex College.

*Early* (or *Late*) *Play*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 186. Besides the regular weekly half-holidays, there are others specially granted, known as EARLY and LATE PLAYS. The latter, given by the head-master at his discretion, consists in the remission of all school work after eleven A.M. But an EARLY PLAY—when school is “up” at nine—is a much more formal indulgence, accorded by very ancient custom only to the personal request of some visitor of distinction. St. David’s Day (March 1st) and St. Patrick’s (March 17) have always been holidays of this class: for the former, the late and the present Sir Watkin Wynn have always come down to Westminster; and for the latter, the late Marquess of Lansdowne (as an Irish peer) and Sir Everard Home. The custom, even now observed on some occasions, was for the visitor’s arrival at the gate to be formally announced to the head-master by Monos, who received a “tip” for his services. The master at once “came down school,” and reappeared through the great door, accompanied by the hero of the day, who was received by the boys with great demonstrations of welcome, expressed by the vigorous rapping of books on the desks. Both knelt down side by side, while the “monitor of school,” kneeling immediately in front of them, proceeded with the usual school prayers. The visitor then “begged a play,” which was granted. The applause was renewed, and acknowledged by a bow, after which the whole of the boys rushed joyously down school, the masters following in more grave and stately fashion. The visits of the “King of North Wales” were doubly popular, since he presented every Welsh boy with a sovereign—a custom which the present baronet liberally continues.

*East.* _See_ WISE MEN OF THE EAST.

*Ecky*, _subs._ (Manchester Grammar).—Exercise.

*Egg* (or *Egg-up*), _verb_ (Marlborough).—To show ostentatious zeal. Whence EGGER (_subs._) and EGGY (_adj._).

*Egg-flip Day*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The Founder’s Commemoration Day. [Because a favourite beverage at the festivities succeeding the great annual football match played on that day between the “first sixes” of Commoners and College was “Egg-flip.”]

*Eggotty*, _adj._ (Felsted).—Used as follows: A boy seen carrying an egg or eggs, if addressed by another as “EGGOTTY,” might, must in fact, almost in honour, throw an egg at him. If the egg-owner was a good shot he would invite his friend “call me EGGOTTY.”

*Eight*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The school Shooting EIGHT: also the Gym. EIGHT.

*Election*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The examination of Præfects and Senior Part for New College, and of candidates for admission to Winchester.

_Intj._ (Westminster).—A fag-call.

1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 164. From about 8 to 10 he [the fag] is supposed to be at work, in a sort of common room assigned to the juniors collectively, preparing his lessons for next day; but the call of “ELECTION,” which signifies that the services of one of the junior election is required by one of the seniors, used to be frequent enough to be a very serious interruption. It is admitted that these demands upon a junior’s time have commonly been such that “a boy tempted to be idle, as most of them are, finds very considerable difficulty in doing his work.” In order to check these interruptions as far as possible, a late regulation has made all fagging unlawful during these evening hours of work.

TO GAIN A YEAR BY ELECTION, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—A boy not being a FOUNDER (_q.v._) was obliged to leave at the Election immediately succeeding his eighteenth birthday; he whose birthday came shortly after Election, was thus enabled to stay till he was nearly nineteen, and was so said “to gain a year.”—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Electors*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The Warden and two Fellows of New College, and the Warden, Sub-Warden, and Head-master of Winchester, who conducted ELECTION (_q.v._).—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).

*Elegant Extracts*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—Students who, though “plucked,” were still given their degrees. A line was drawn below the poll-list, and those allowed to pass were nicknamed the ELEGANT EXTRACTS. There was a similar limbo in the honour-list.

*Elements*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The first Form.

*End*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester).—A table or division of a table in College Hall, practically meaning “mess.”—WRENCH.

_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 208. END.—At dinner-time the INFERIORS (_q.v._) were divided into six companies, each being presided over by a _Candlekeeper_ (_q.v._). These companies and the table at which they sat were called ENDS.

2. (Felsted).—_See_ TIP.

*English*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A translation; an adventitious aid to study; a crib.

*Ensign* (Eton).—_See_ MONTEM.

*Enterta*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—An entertainment.

*-er*, _inseparable suffix_ (Harrow).

*Erasmus.* GREAT (or LITTLE) ERASMUS FORM, _subs. phr._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quot.

1834. TROLLOPE, _History of Christ’s Hospital_. THE GREAT AND LITTLE ERASMUS FORMS get their respectable and respective titles from the fact that their tenants in old time studied the larger and smaller Colloquies of the learned Erasmus.

1870-95. _More Gleanings from_ THE BLUE, 191. THE GREAT ERASMUS.—The origin of a name is seldom what one thinks it ought to be. Those of us who rejoice in being able to write after our names the mystic letters, L.E._x._, L.E._y._, L.E._z._, are distinguished from our less fortunate neighbours by the lightning fluency with which we are able to talk secrets in Greek. ERASMUS is a Greek word, and the Dutchman, thanks to a visit to Oxford, became so great a scholar in Greek, that he was appointed first Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge.... Unfortunately, this is all wrong as far as the LITTLE ERAS. are concerned, for they were not called ERAS. because they knew Greek, but because they read Latin.... Erasmus did a kindness to Christ’s Hospital long after his death in having written a number of “Colloquies,” conversations between typical characters of his day, in clear and faultless Latin.

*Ewe-lamb*, _subs._ (The Leys).—A school hour in which a Master or Prefect has no appointed lesson.

*Ex*, _subs._ (Harrow).—(1) An exercise of any sort; and (2) an EXEAT (_q.v._). Also (Charterhouse) in sense 2, but _not_ EXTRA, sense 3 (_q.v._).

*Ex-Course-keeper*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ COURSE-KEEPER.

*Exeat*, _subs._ 1. (general).—Written permission to go away from School or College either at the end or during the term for a longer period than a day. _Cf._ ABSIT.

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

2. (Charterhouse).—An interval in the middle of each of the three terms of the school year; it was instituted so that there might be no leaving at odd times. It lasts from noon on Saturday to 6.45 P.M. on the following Monday. Formerly Upper School had a GOING-OUT SATURDAY every week, and the Under School one every other week, and leave lasted from noon on Saturday till Sunday evening chapel. Also at Harrow a similar term of leave.

*Exercises*, _subs._ (Sherborne: obsolete).—Ordinary Form lessons, not merely written work: seventeenth century.

*Explain.* DON’T EXPLAIN! _intj._ (The Leys).—An injunction to silence; “Shut up!”

*Extra*, _subs._ (Harrow).—1. Extra school on Tuesdays, when those SENT (_q.v._) copy out Latin grammar for two hours and a half: an extreme punishment.

2. (Harrow).—An extra day’s BOY (_q.v._): given to those who CUT (_q.v._) when “on boy.”

3. (Charterhouse).—Extra school: it lasts from 2 to 4 every Wednesday afternoon. The ways of procuring admission to it are various: to neglect a REP (_q.v._) or a “construe,” to be late for anything, to make a noise in the cubicles, to come into school in slippers, or any misdemeanour leads to a boy being “down for EXTRA.” The entries are kept in ... THE BLACK BOOK. EXTRA school is for offences committed during the first part of the week. There is also EXTRA drill on Saturdays in Scholars’ Court, which lasts half the time of EXTRA school, and which is much more disliked, for offences committed between a Thursday and a Saturday.

*Extra Drill*, _subs._ (The Leys).—Imposed by way of punishment.