Part 9
*Ex Trumps*, _adv. phr._ (Winchester).—Extempore. TO GO UP TO BOOKS EX TRUMPS = to go to class without preparing one’s lesson.
*Fag*, _subs._ 1. (general).—A boy who does menial work for a schoolfellow in a higher Form. [From FAG, to grow weary.]
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 37. The duties of a FAG, in the days of which I write, may be more easily described by informing the reader what he had not to do, than by endeavouring to make out a list of his positive duties. I believe when I say that he had not to make the beds, nor to clean shoes, I have exhausted the negative catalogue.
1855. THACKERAY, _Newcomes_, ch. xviii. Bob Trotter, the diminutive FAG of the studio, who ran on all the young men’s errands, and fetched them in apples, oranges, and walnuts.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, vii. These were the principal duties of the FAGS in the house. From supper until nine o’clock three FAGS taken in order stood in the passages, and answered any præposter who called “Fag,” racing to the door, the last comer having to do the work. This consisted generally of going to the buttery for beer and bread and cheese (for the great men did not sup with the rest, but had each his own allowance in his study or the fifth-form room), cleaning candlesticks and putting in new candles, toasting cheese, bottling beer, and carrying messages about the house.... And besides this nightwork, each præpostor had three or four fags specially allotted to him, of whom he was supposed to be the guide, philosopher, and friend, and who in return for these good offices had to clean out his study every morning by turns, directly after first lesson and before he returned from breakfast.
1857. G. A. LAWRENCE, _Guy Livingstone_, ch. i. Is still enumerated among the feats of the brave days of old, by the FAGS over their evening small beer.
2. (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ quot.
1850. L. HUNT, _Autobiography_, ch. iii. FAG, with us [at Christ’s Hospital] meant eatables. The learned derived the word from the Greek _phago_, to eat.
3. (Stonyhurst).—A fielder: at cricket. Also FAGGER.
4. (Stonyhurst).—A bore.
_Verb._ 1. (general).—To do menial work for a schoolfellow in a higher Form. Hence FAGGER, FAG-MASTER, FAGGING, and FAGGERY.
1853. DE QUINCEY, _Autob. Sketches_, i. 210. FAGGERY was an abuse too venerable and sacred to be touched by profane hands.
1873. _Pall Mall Gazette_, 17th May. The Winchester “tunding” system, with all its faults, is hardly less objectionable than the FAGGING system pursued in the Scotch endowed hospitals.
1881. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 75. As I was smaller and weaker than most of the FAGS running, I hardly ever managed to get a place, and it was absurd to expect me to do so. I had been “spanked” two or three times already for failing, but I don’t know that I was more successful for that. I know I cordially detested that branch of FAGGING.
1884. _Temple Bar_, August, p. 514. He must have completely marred his chance of happiness at the school when he refused to FAG and took countless thrashings, snivelling.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 46. My new FAG-MASTER, Forker Major, is a beast.
2. (Stonyhurst).—To field: at cricket. The ordinary meaning either as _subs._ or _verb_ does not exist at Stonyhurst.
*Fag-book*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Formerly a book given by a monitor on leaving to each of his fags: it is now usual to give a bat or a racket.
*Fain lo!* (or *Loss*), _intj._ (Felsted).—A phrase used to retain a seat, &c., temporarily vacated. Also LO.
*Fains* (*Fainits!* or *Fain it*), _intj._ (general).—A call for truce during the progress of a game without which priority of place would be lost; generally understood to be demanded “in bounds,” or when out of danger. [Thought to be a corruption of “fend.”]
_Verb_ (also FEND, FAIN, FAINITS, &c.).—A cry of warning, or of prohibition: as to prevent any change in the existing conditions of a game; _e.g._ at marbles, FEN-PLACINGS = no alteration in position of marbles is permissible; FEN-CLEARANCES = removal of obstacles is forbidden. [FEND = _M.E. defend_ in sense of “to forbid.”] FAIN, and FAIN I, are corruptions. At Winchester, FINGY YOU, or FINGY THAT, are analagous; but at Christ’s Hospital FIN = “I won’t have.”
_Ante_ 1815. E. C. HARRINGTON, in _N. and Q._, 5 S., vii. 98. Respecting the word FEN ... I can testify to the use of the term by school-boys prior to the battle of Waterloo ... meaning that we protested against an exceptional action.
1852. DICKENS, _Bleak House_. “I’m fly,” says Jo. “But FEN larks, you know.”
1877. _Notes and Queries_, 5 S., vii. 178. A comical application was, I remember well, “FEN live lumber!” which, if pronounced in time, would disable your opponent from moving a bystander out of the way of his shot.
*Fardel*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A division of Sixth Book for New College Election. [A.S. _ferthe_ = the fourth, and _del_, a part or portion.]
1200. _Orminn._ The FEORRTHE DALE was bitahht (delivered) to Pilate.
1283. _William of Palerne._ Non might sen other the FERTHE DEL of a furlong.
*Faside*, _subs._ (Loretto).—To Faside Castle, and back: altogether about five miles. Boys who have been watching football matches have always to do this in wet weather; and, in bad weather, a WALLYFORD (_q.v._). Whence FASIDE AND THREE TREES = a combined walk and run about seven miles on a short school-day not wet, when ground is unsuitable for games. [Why THREE TREES is unknown.] _See_ GRIND-DAYS.
*Fat-flab*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A cut off the fat part of a breast of mutton. _See_ DISPAR.
*Feeder-cric*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital: obsolete).—The game usually known as “rounders.” _See_ Appendix.
1874. _The Blue_, Mar. In the country we shall have real unlimited cricket in the place of rounders, FEEDER-CRIC, and the scanty bi-weekly game in the suburbs.
*Fellow-commoner*, _subs._ (general).—_See_ quots., and COMMONER.
1794. _Gent. Mag._, p. 1084. One [student at Cambridge] was a _Harry Soph_; another a FELLOW-COMMONER and _senior Soph_, and occasionally jocularly called an _empty bottle_, whilst _è contrà_, a bottle decanted, was, from time to time, denominated a FELLOW-COMMONER.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 26. Thomas Middleton petitions King Charles, on his restoration, to grant his royal letters to the Winchester electors in favour of his son’s admittance “as a child in Winchester College, where he has now spent three years as FELLOW-COMMONER.”
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 38. She said she had heard from her cousin, who is, I think, a FELLOW-COMMONER, or something of that sort, at Downing College, that Harry is one of the most popular men at Cambridge.
*Feoffee*, _subs._ (Manchester Grammar: obsolete).—The original name for the trustees in whose hands the foundation estate was placed by Hugh Bexwycke. [A.S. _feo_ = fee or inheritance.]
*Ferk.* _See_ *Firk*.
*Ferula*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ TOLLY.
*Festive*, _adj._ (Charterhouse).—Said of a boy who has not learned his duty to his superiors and seniors.
*Fez*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The equivalent of the CAP (_q.v._) for cricket: the FEZ being given to the House Eleven for distinction at football.
*Field*, _verb_. 1. (Winchester).—To take care of; to support: in swimming.
2. (Harrow).—_See_ LICK.
3. (Eton).—_See_ WALL.
THE FIELD, _subs._ (Sherborne).—_See_ FIELDS.
*Fields*, _subs._ (Sherborne: obsolete).—The playing-ground: seventeenth century. The modern term is “The Field,” though there are five separate grounds.
*Fifteens*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A football match. _See_ SIX-AND-SIX.
*Fifty, The*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—The chief football ground; the next immediately below it is the Middle Fifty, then the Lower Fifty, and the Fourth Fifty. _Cf._ HUNDRED, which is now obsolete.
*Fighting-green*, _subs._ (Westminster).—The old battle-ground in the western cloister.
*Figures*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The Second Form: formerly GREAT FIGURES. _See_ LITTLE FIGURES.
*Fin*, _intj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A form of negative. _Ex._ “FIN the small court” = “I won’t have, &c.” [Lat. _fend_.] _See_ FAINS.
*Find*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A mess of, usually, two upper boys which takes breakfast and tea in the rooms of one or other of the set: a privilege of the Sixth Form. Whence FIND-FAG = a fag who lays the table for the upper boys. [_Find_ (dial.) = to supply; to supply with provisions.] Also as _verb_.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 316. Immediately a certain number of rolls (FINDS they were called—etymology unknown) were ordered at the baker’s, and were rebaked every morning until they were pretty nearly as hard as pebbles. At nine o’clock on the morning fixed for the rolling in, the members of the hall ranged themselves on the long table which ran along one side of the room, each with his pile of these rolls before him, and a fag to pick them up.
*Finder*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A waiter.
*Finjy!* _intj._ (Winchester).—An exclamation excusing one from participation in an unpleasant or unacceptable task, which he who says the word last has to undertake. _Cf._ FAINS.
*Firk* (or *Ferk*), _verb_ (Winchester).—To proceed; to hasten; to expel; to send; to drive away. [O.E. _fercian_.] Also TO FIRK UP and TO FIRK DOWN.
1283. _William of Palerne._ Thei bisiliche fondede (tried) fast to FERKE him forthward.
_c._ 1400. _Troy Book._ I you helpe shall the flese for to fecche, and FERKE it away.
[?] _MS. Lincoln_, _Morte Arthure_, f. 79. The Kyng FERKES furthe on a faire stede.
1599. SHAKSPEARE, _Henry V._, iv. 4. _Pistol._ I’ll fer him, and FIRK him, and ferret him, discuss the same in French unto him. _Boy._ I do not know the French for fer and ferret and FIRK.
1611. BARRY, _Ram Alley_ [DODSLEY, _Old Plays_ (REED), v. 466]. Nay, I will FIRK my silly novice, as he was never FIRK’D Since mid-wives bound his noddle.
1640. BROME, _Antipodes_. As tumblers do ... by FIRKING up their breeches.
1795. SEWELL, _Hist. of Quakers_. At this the judge said, “Take him away: prevaricator! I’ll FERK him.”
*Five, The*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The Five bell.
*Flannels*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The members of either School Eleven.
1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 446. Up to the present the eleven have won four matches and lost one, while Monro, Cookson, Wyckoff, and Borwick have all received their FLANNELS.
*Flat*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—An objectionable person; a “bounder.” [A misuse of flat = fool.]
*Fleshy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A thick cut out of the middle of a shoulder of mutton. _See_ DISPAR.
*Flies.* SQUASHED FLIES, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—Biscuits with currants.
*Floor*, _verb_ (general).—To pluck; to plough. Also = to master; to prove oneself superior to the occasion: _e.g._ TO FLOOR A PAPER, LESSON, EXAMINATION, EXAMINER, &c. _Cf._ BOWL; THROW.
1852. BRISTED, _Five Years in an English University_, p. 12. Somehow I nearly FLOORED the paper.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iv. Mr. Filcher thoroughly understood the science of “FLOORING” a freshman.
1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_. I’ve FLOORED my Little Go.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 98. These blessed exams. are getting awfully close now, but I think I shall FLOOR mine.
*Fluke*, _verb_ (general).—To shirk.
1864. _Eton School-Days_, ch. xvi. p. 203. “By Jove! I think I shall FLUKE doing Verses; I should like to see Paddy drive tandem through College,” said Butler Burke.
*Flyer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A half-volley at football. A MADE-FLYER is when the bound of the ball is gained from a previous kick, by the same side, against canvas or any other obstacle, or is dropped, as in a “drop-kick.” This is now confused with a “kick-up.”—WRENCH.
*Flying-man*, _subs._ (Eton).—The boy who stands behind the “bully,” and either runs down, or kicks hard, as may be required.
1864. _Eton School-Days_, ch. xxiii. p. 255. He possessed good wind, and was a very good “kick-off,” and he could “bully” a ball as well as any one. He was a little too heavy for FLYING-MAN, but he made a decent “sidepost,” and now and then he officiated as “corner.”
*Fobs*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—Boiled bread and milk.
*Footer*, _subs._ (Harrow).—(1) Football; (2) a player of football according to Rugby rules; and (3) the ball itself.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 96. Directly after the goose match (Michaelmas Day) FOOTER proper begins, and is the principal game played at the school during the Christmas term. The game as played at Harrow differs considerably from the game as played at Eton and other schools, and has distinct rules of its own; it may be said to be more like the Association game than any other.
1896. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 139. H. H. H. who wants to have a “second” FOOTER shirt.
*Footer-hill, The* (Harrow).—The hill from the football-fields and DUCKER (_q.v._).
*For*, _phr._ (Tonbridge).—A form of ridicule: _e.g._ “first eleven FOR one” would be used in jeering at a boy who had recently obtained his colours.
*Forakers* (or *Foricus*), _subs._ (Winchester).—The water-closet. [Formerly _foricus_, and probably a corruption of _foricas_, an English plural of the Latin _forica_.]
*Force.* OUT BY FORCE, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—Of a football when it goes out from two opposite players at the same time.
*Founders*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Boys who proved their descent from the Founder, and were afterwards elected (by rote among the Electors) as such. Only two were admitted each year, and only two were sent to New College, but these two were put at the head of the ROLL (_q.v._) whatever their previous position in SIXTH BOOK (_q.v._) might have been. They were not obliged to leave at the age of eighteen, as the other boys were, but were allowed to remain till they were twenty-five. They were supposed to have particularly thick skulls.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Founder’s-Com.*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The four days on which there were festivals in commemoration of the Founder, when there was AMEN-CHAPEL (_q.v._); the Fellows and Masters gave a dinner in Common-room, and the FOUNDERS (_q.v._) received a sovereign each.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Founder’s-day*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The 3rd of October, the anniversary of the death of John Lyon: usually kept on the nearest Thursday to the date in question.
*Founder’s-kin*, _subs._ (various).—Those, who at Winchester, Harrow, &c., could show descent from William of Wykeham or John Lyon, &c., as the case might be, and who were entitled to priority of election on the foundation.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 32. The preference assigned to FOUNDER’S-KIN in the election soon brought into the field, as may be supposed, young Wykehams and Williamses from all quarters, with others who proved more or less satisfactorily their connection with the founder’s family; and gradually the customs obtained of electing two only of these favoured candidates at the head of the roll for admission, and filling up the remaining vacancies by a process of successive nominations by each of the six electors, the Warden of New College having the first turn, until the number of vacancies was supplied.
*Founder’s-Ob.*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The anniversary of the Founder’s death.
*Four-holed Middlings*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester: obsolete).—Ordinary walking shoes. _Cf._ BEESWAXERS.
*Fourth*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A rear or jakes. [Origin uncertain; said to have been first used at St. John’s or Trinity, where the closets are situated in the Fourth Court. Whatever its derivation, the term is now the only one in use at Cambridge, and is frequently heard outside the university.] The verbal phrase is TO KEEP A FOURTH.
*Fourth Book*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—All the boys below Junior Part the Fifth. _See_ BOOKS.
*Fourth Former* (Harrow).—The oldest form room in the Old Schools: now used for morning prayer by those who go to the Old Schools, and also as the head-master’s torture-chamber.
*Fourth of June* (Eton).—_See_ quot.
1865. _Etoniana_, p. 166. Since the glories of Montem have departed, the FOURTH OF JUNE PROCESSION has taken its place as the great yearly festival of Etonians. It was instituted in commemoration of a visit of King George III., and is held on his birthday. It is the great trysting day of Eton, when her sons gather from far and wide, young and old, great and small,—no matter who or what, so long as they are old Etonians; that magic bond binds them all together as brothers, and levels for the time all distinctions of age or rank. The proceedings begin with the ‘speeches’ delivered in the upper school at twelve o’clock before the provost, fellows, masters, and a large audience of the boys’ friends. Selections from classical authors, ancient or modern, are recited by the Sixth-form boys, who are dressed for the occasion in black swallow-tail coats, white ties, black knee-breeches and buckles, silk stockings, and pumps. Then follows the provost’s luncheon, given in the college hall to the distinguished visitors, while similar entertainments on a smaller scale are going on in the various tutors’ and dames’ houses. At 3 o’clock there is full choral service in chapel. At 6 o’clock all hands adjourn to the Brocas, a large open meadow, to witness the great event of the day,—the procession of the Boats to Surly Hall, a public-house of that name, on the right bank of the river, some three and a half miles from Windsor. The boats are divided into two classes—Upper and Lower. The Upper division consists of the _Monarch_ ten-oar, the _Victory_, and the _Prince of Wales_, or, as it is more usually called, the _Third Upper_. The Lower boats are the _Britannia_, _Dreadnought_, _Thetis_, and _St. George_; sometimes, when the number of aspirants to a place is larger than usual, an eighth boat called the _Defiance_ is added. The collegers have also for some years put on a four-oar—latterly expanded into an eight—which follows in the procession. The flotilla is preceded by the Eton racing eight-oar, manned by the picked crew who are to contend at Putney or Henley. Each boat has its distinctive uniform. Formerly these were very fanciful—Greek pirates, or galley slaves in silver chains, astonishing the quiet reaches of the Thames for the day. The crews of the Upper boats now wear dark blue jackets and trousers, and straw hats with ribbons, displaying the name of the boat in gold letters. The coxswains are dressed in an admiral’s uniform, with gold fittings, sword, and cocked-hat. The captain of each boat has an anchor and crown embroidered in gold on the left sleeve of his jacket. In the Lower boats, the crews wear trousers of white jean, and all ornaments and embroidery are in silver. Each boat carries a large silk flag in the stern. The procession is headed by a quaint old-fashioned boat (an Eton racing boat of primitive days) rowed by watermen and conveying a military band. The Westminster eight always receives an invitation to this celebration, and occasionally makes its appearance on the river, adding very much to the interest of the procession.... Opposite to Surly Hall, a liberal display of good things ... awaits the arrival of the crews—the Sixth Form alone being accommodated with a tent. After a few toasts, and as much champagne as can be fairly disposed of in a short time, the captain of the boat gives the word for all to re-embark, and the flotilla returns to Eton in the same order.... Singing, shouting, racing, and bumping, all go on together in the most harmonious confusion.... The boats, after their return through Windsor Bridge, turn and row two or three times round an eyot in the middle of the stream above the bridge. During this time a grand display of fireworks takes place on the eyot. The ringing of the fine old bells in the Curfew Tower, the cheering of the crews, and the brilliant coloured fires which strike across the water, and light up the dense masses of spectators along the bridge, the rafts, and the shore, produce an effect not easily forgotten. A pyrotechnic illumination of the College arms concludes the ceremonies, and is the signal for the crews to land and march in jubilant disorder back to College.
*Fox-and-dowdy*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—_See_ ACTION.
*Fragment*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A dinner for six (served in College Hall, after the ordinary dinner), ordered by a Fellow in favour of a particular boy, who was at liberty to invite five others to join him. A fragment was supposed to consist of three dishes.—_Winchester Word-Book_ [1891].
*Free*, _adj._ (Oxford).—Impudent; self-possessed.
1864. TENNYSON, _Northern Farmer_ (Old Style), line 25. But parson a coomes an’ a goos, an’ a says it eäsy an’ FREEÄ.
*Freed*, _adv._ (Stonyhurst).—Of an extra recreation: given for some special reason.
*Fresh*, _adj._ (University).—Said of an undergraduate in his first term.
1803. _Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_, s.v.
1866. TREVELYAN, _Horace at Athens_. When you and I were FRESH.
*Fresher.* _See_ FRESHMAN.
*Freshers.* THE FRESHERS, _subs._ (Cambridge). That part of the Cam which lies between the Mill and Byron’s Pool. So called because it is frequented by FRESHMEN (_q.v._).
*Fresh-herring*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A boy newly admitted to the school. Such a one is seized on his first or first few visits to the playground, and conveyed to a corner—a MONKEY DEN—where he is more or less forcibly SQUABBED (_q.v._) against the wall by as many persecutors as can get at him. The incongruity of fresh-herrings in a monkey-den does not seem to be remarked. But twenty-five to thirty years ago FRESH-HERRINGS were hurled over _the Precipice_. This was a drop of some six or eight feet from the general level of the playground over a retaining wall to the bottom of an incline up which coal-stores, &c., could be brought into the playground. The new science and art rooms have covered the site, and MONKEY-DEN has superseded the terrors of this local Tarpeian Rock. The FRESH-HERRING is always told that he must bring beeswax and turpentine for the purpose of polishing his desk, and he not infrequently comes armed with this or some other form of furniture-polish, to the glee of the “stuffer-up.”
*Freshman* (or *Fresher*), _subs._ (University).—A University man during his first year. In Dublin University he is a JUNIOR FRESHMAN during his first year, and a SENIOR FRESHMAN the second year. At Oxford the title lasts for the first term. _See_ SOPH.
1596. NASHE, _Saffron Walden_, in _Works_, iii. 8. When he was but yet a FRESHMAN in Cambridge.
1611. MIDDLETON, _Roaring Girl_, Act iii. sc. 3. _S. Alex._ Then he’s a graduate. _S. Davy._ Say they trust him not. _S. Alex._ Then is he held a FRESHMAN and a sot.
1650. HOWELL, _Familiar Letters_ [NARES]. I am but a FRESHMAN yet in France, therefore I can send you no news, but that all is here quiet, and ’tis no ordinary news, that the French should be quiet.
1671. COTGRAVE, _Wit’s Interpreter_, p. 221. First, if thou art a FRESHMAN, and art bent To bear love’s arms, and follow Cupid’s tent.