Cab,subs.(general).—An adventitious aid to study; aCRIB(q.v.); aPONY(q.v.). [FromCABBAGE(q.v.) = pilferings.]
1853.Bradley(“Cuthbert Bede”),Adventures of Verdant Green. Those who can’t afford a coach get aCAB,aliasa crib,aliasa translation.
1876.Academy, 4th Nov., p. 448, col. 2. The use of translations, “cribs,” orCABSas boys call them, must at some time or other engage the serious attention of schoolmasters.
Cabbage,subs.(general).—A translation; aCAB(q.v.). Also asverb= 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 callCABBAGED, 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, whoCABBAGED, giving short weight.
Cacus(Stonyhurst).—The Library lumber-room.
1888.Stonyhurst Mag., July, p. 185. The dust and darkness ofCACUSis 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.... HithertoCACUShas 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 CambridgeSNOB, the word Thackeray used, has long been a common term for a townsman; now the undergrad. saysTowneeorTowner(q.v.). The German analogue isPhilister.
1831.Hone,Year-Book, 670. Preceded by one or two bands of music in two boats, rowed byCADS.
1856.Bradley(“Cuthbert Bede”),Adventures of Verdant Green, i. p. 117. And I can chaff aCAD.
1860.Macmillan’s Mag., March, p. 327. You don’t think a gentleman can lick aCAD, 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, andCADS.”
Café, The(The Leys).—Head’s House Hall for meals.
Cake,subs.(Christ’s Hospital).—A stroke with a cane. Also asverb.
1844.Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital[The Blue, Aug. 1874]. The mildest punishment consisted of caning on the open hand (ironically termedCAKES).
Caker,subs.(The Leys).—A bicycle. [Originally “boneshaker”; whence “shaker” and “CAKER.”]
Calk,verb(Eton).—To throw.SeeAppendix,s.v.Cork.
Call,subs.(Eton).—A remission ofABSENCE(q.v.). “It is aCALL,”i.e.“There is noABSENCE.”
Calling-out,subs.(Charterhouse: obsolete).—SeePulling-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 toCALLING-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 andThe Dungeons(q.v.) are the two fighting grounds.]
Calves,subs.(Winchester).—PronouncedCaves.SeeHalves.
Calx,subs.(Eton).—The goal line at football. [From a Latin sense ofCALX= a goal, anciently marked with lime or chalk.] At EtonCALXis a space so marked off at each end ofWALL;GOOD CALXis the end at which there is a door for a goal;BAD CALXthe 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 theirCALXseveral times.
Campus Martius,subs.(Royal High School, Edin.).—Until recently the name by which the battle-ground inThe 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 SevenCANDLE-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 juniorCANDLE-KEEPERwas 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.SeeAppendix.
1881.Felstedian, Nov., p. 75, “A Day’s Fagging at Winchester.” TheCANDLE-KEEPERSare 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” (orCANDLESTICKS, 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 aBUMPING-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 termedA 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, inNotes and Queries, 5 S., xi. 375. When I was an undergraduate at Oxford, toCANOODLEwas 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 youngCANTAB... had come up to London.
1803.Gradus adCantab. (Title.)
1821.Byron,Don Juan, c. iii., st. 126. And I grown out of many “wooden spoons” Of verse (the name with which weCANTABSplease To dub the last of honours in degrees).
Canvas,subs.(Winchester).—Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 66. The Winchester football game is peculiar. It is played inCANVAS, 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 theCAP, 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 theCAPhas 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.SeeFez.
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. NoCAPmay play in these matches.
3. (Rugby).—Each House had [1871] twoCAPS, 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....Capsare now (1890) given by the head of the School Fifteen. After theCapscome theFlannels(q.v.), and then come the players without distinction. TheCapsandFlannelsin each House go to make up the House Fifteen; theFlannels, without theCaps, go to make up the second fifteen in each House, which is calledBelow Caps, or for brevity,Below. The next fifteen in each House are calledTwo Belows, and so on, though it rarely happens that a House has moreBelowsthan two.—Lees Knowles.
Verb(general).—To take off or touch one’s hat in salutation: alsoTO CAP TOandTO CAP IT.
1593.H. Smith,Scrm.(1871), i. 203. How would theyCAPme 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 CAPa fellow.
Captain of Election,subs.(Westminster).—Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 183. TheCAPTAIN 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 theCAPTAINS, 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).—Seequot.
1865.Etoniana, p. 164. TheCAPTAIN OF THE BOATSis 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 theCAPTAINSof 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, aCARGO(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 ofCARGOES,i.e.hampers from home.
Cart,verb(University).—To defeat: in a match, a fight, an examination, a race, &c. “WeCARTEDthem home” = we gave them an awful licking.
Case,subs.(Westminster).—The discussion by Seniors and Upper Election preceding aTANNING(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. HenceCAT’S-MEN= members of St. Catharine’s Hall.
Intj.(Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—The IIndClass. [Formerly it used to be a custom for the IIndclass to pursue the Istshouting “Gaits! Gaits! Gai-ai-aits,” to which they replied, “Cats! Cats!Caa-ats!”]SeeDogs.
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’clockP.M.in College (in Commoners’ it was atone); 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, orCAT’S HEAD, the breast, or “Fat Flab,” &c. &c.
Cat’s-skin,subs.(Rugby).—1.Seequot.
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 regulationCAT-SKINat seven-and-sixpence.
2.SeeRabbit-skin.
Cause-money,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—Up-keep money for the path leading toHills(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).—SeeGood-day.
Chaff,subs.(Christ’s Hospital).—A small article or plaything. Also asverb= to exchange; to barter. [A.S.chaffere= to deal, exchange, or barter: assub.= merchandise. Also (North)chaffle= to haggle.]
1388.Wimbelton,Sermon[MS. Hatton, 57, p. 4]. If thou art a margchaunt, disceyve not thi brother inCHAFFARYNG.
1440.Promptorium Parvulorum[MS. Harl. 221, ff. 206]. Rooryne or chaungyne onCHAFFAREfor another.
1450.MS.Bibl. Reg. 12 B. i. f. 19.Emere vel vendere, Anglice toCHAFFARYN.
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 theCHAFFSof a Blue.
1877.Blanch,Blue-Coat Boys, 96.Chaffme your knife.
Adj.Pleasant; glad. AlsoCHAFFY. [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.Seequot. [In ancient times (videStow) 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 WestminsterChallenge, but into the EtonMontem(q.v.).]
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 182. He undergoes a very severe examination, called theCHALLENGE, 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 toCHAMBERS(q.v.) during the whole day.—Mansfield.
Chambers,subs.(Winchester).—The College bedrooms: in Commoners calledGalleries(q.v.). [Chamberis commonly dialectical for bedroom.]SeeElection Chamber.
Charity-remove,subs.(Harrow).—A “remove” assigned to boys who have remained in the Form below for several successive school quarters.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 297. The intention of theseCHARITY-REMOVES(as they are called) is to prevent boys of dull abilities being continually outstripped in the race of promotion by boys younger than themselves; but practically the cases are very few of boys who would be left in the same Form for above three quarters; and even then the promotion is removed if the boy has been “notoriously and ostentatiously” idle.
Charity-tails,subs.(Harrow).—SeeTails.
Charlies,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—Thick gloves made of twine. [Introduced by a Mr. Charles Griffith: hence the name.]
Chase,verb(Christ’s Hospital).—To abscond; to run away; as from school.
1844.Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital[The Blue, Aug. 1874]. At length, to the consternation and perplexity of the authorities, and the delight, admiration, and envy of the fellows, this incorrigible character capped all his former misdeeds by an act of pluck and daring which gained for himself, from that time forth, all the honours of a hero—heCHASED.
Chaw,subs.1. (University).—A trick; a device; a sell.
2. (Harrow).—ACAD(q.v.); any non-member of the school. WhenceWorker-chaw= the boy who runs messages, &c., for the work-shop. Also asverb(football), to play roughly.To be chawed= to be injured.
Check-nights,subs.(Eton).—Rehearsals of theFourth of June(q.v.) performance. Held every alternate Saturday in the boating season, when the crews rowed up to Surly in their uniform and there regaled themselves—the staple luxury being ducks and green pease. These suppers were open to much objection, and the custom has lately been done away with.—Etoniana(1865).
Cheese,subs.(Schools and University).—An adept; one who “takes the shine out of another”; at Cambridge an overdressed dandy = aHOWLING CHEESE.
1864.Hemyng,Eton School-days. “Do you know Homer, Purefoy?” asked Chudleigh. “No, I have not looked at the lesson yet.” “I am sure I don’t know why you ever do; you are such aCHEESE. I want you to give me a construe.”
Chemmy,subs.(Manchester Grammar).—Chemistry.
Chief,subs.(Sherborne).—The Head-master.
Child,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—1. A scholar on the foundation.
1547. Inj. Ed. VI. Commiss. [William of Wykeham, 152]. Item: that all graces to be said or sung at meals within the said College, and other prayers which the said scholars orCHILDRENare bound to use shall be henceforth sung or said evermore in English.
d.1711.Ken,Manual ... for the use of ... Winchester College. If you are a Commoner, you may say your prayers in your own Chamber; but if you are aCHILDor a Chorister, then to avoid the interruptions of the Common Chambers, go into the Chappel, between first and second Peal in the morning, to say your Morning Prayers, and say your Evening Prayers when you goCircum.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Child. The word “Scholar,” as used by Ken, included the three classes—“Children,” Commoners, and Choristers; and it is observable that, though it has been adopted of late officially to designate the “Children” exclusively, this usage has not extended to the school. “Child” has fallen into desuetude, but its place has not been supplied by any other term.
2.Seequot. 1891.
1822.Nares,Glossary, s.v.Child... The “CHILDRENof the Chapel” signifies the boys of the Chapel.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 64. One table, by a curious traditionary custom, is called theCHILDREN’Stable—the electors present each choosing one of the junior scholars for theirCHILD, and presenting him with a guinea and a luxurious dinner at this privileged table.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Child. Each of theElectors(q.v.) might choose a Scholar on the foundation to attend upon him (a nominal duty in recent times) at election time. These were known as Warden’sCHILD, Warden of New College’sCHILD, &c. Of late the Head Master always chose for hisCHILDthe head scholar in Cloisters, and the Warden the second. EachCHILDreceived a guinea from the Elector who appointed him. The Children got off all fagging onDOMUM DAY(q.v.); at Election Dinner they sat at the same table with Writers and Election Grace Singers, where the fare was better than that served to the scholars generally; and they had wine and dessert afterwards inCHILD’S-room in the Warden’s house. Warden’sCHILDhad during the following year the duty of applying to the Head Master for everyREMEDY(q.v.), and half-remedy that came in the ordinary course. In applying he used the set phrase, “The Præpostors’ duty, and they would be obliged for a remedy” (or “half-remedy”). Whenever the application was something more than a mere form, it was made by the Præfect of Hall,e.g.where a leave out day disturbed the ordinary arrangements of the week.
Chince(orChinse),subs.(Winchester).—A chance. [Apparently a corrupted form of the word.]
Chinner,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—A grin.
Chip-entry,subs.(Stonyhurst: obsolete).—Seequot.
1884.Stonyhurst Mag., June, p. 294. The old kitchen was very near the site of the present one, but a part of it jutted into what is now the end of the Higher Line Washing-place. Just outside this was a flight of old oaken steps leading to the refectory. Beyond these stairs, leading out to the back, there was a very old round-headed oaken door, which is now in the buttery; it is about three hundred years old. This was calledCHIP-ENTRY.
Chips,subs.(Wellington).—A kind of grill. [From its hardness.]
Choice,subs.(Harrow).—A candidate in course of trial for an Eleven (House or School), and who has not got hisCap(q.v.),Fez(q.v.), orFlannels(q.v.).
Chorister,subs.(Winchester).—Seequots.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 33. Besides the Warden, Fellows, masters, and boys, there were twelve “CHORISTERS,” who must by no means be omitted, as they formed an important part of the internal economy. I suppose they were calledCHORISTERSbecause they had not to sing; certainly if ever that was a part of their duty, it had entirely lapsed. Their office was to wait on boys, in hall and chambers, till seven o’clock, and especially to go on errands in the town,—the boys themselves never being allowed to go there, except when invited by friends on Saints’ days. These littleCHORISTERSwore chocolate-coloured tail-coats and trousers, with metal buttons; and, on the whole, I think their life must have been a weary one....Ibid., 189. TheCHORISTERSreally do sing now, and have not to run errands in the town for boys, but wait on them in the hall instead.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 22. The Bible-clerk meanwhile reading aloud a chapter from the Old Testament, theCHORISTERSwaited at table. An antiphonal grace and psalm were sung, after which theCHORISTERSand college servants took their dinner.
Chouse,subs.(Eton and Winchester).—A shame; an imposition. HenceCHOUSER. [A derivative of chouse = trick; swindle:seequot. 1890.]
1864.Athenæum.When an Eton boy says that anything is “a beastlyCHOUSE,” he means that it is a great shame; and when an Eton peripatetic tradesman is playful enough to call his customer “a littleCHOUSER,” he means that a leaf has been taken out of his own book by one on whom he has practised.
1883.Brinsley Richards,Seven Years at Eton. The boy ... was told that what he had done was an awfulCHOUSE.
1890.Hist. Eng. Dict.[Murray],s.v.CHOUSE. “As to the origin of the Eng. use, Gifford (1814), in a note on the quot. from Ben Jonson, says, ‘In 1609, Sir Robt. Shirley sent a messenger orCHIAUSto this country, as his agent from the Grand Signior and the Sophy to transact some preparatory business.’ The latter ‘CHIAUSEDthe Turkish and Persian merchants of £4000,’ and decamped. But no trace of this incident has yet been found outside of Gifford’s note; it was unknown to Peter Whalley, a previous editor of Ben Jonson, 1756; also to Skinner, Henshaw, Dr. Johnson, Todd, and others who discussed the history of the word. Yet most of these recognised the likeness ofCHOUSEto the Turkish word, which Henshaw even proposed as the etymon on the ground that the TurkishCHIAUS‘is little better than a fool.’ Gifford’s note must therefore be taken with reserve.”
Christians,subs. pl.(Cambridge).—Fellows of Christ’s College. [Derivation obvious.]
Christopher(Eton).—An old inn in Eton Street.
1865.Etoniana, 23. On the great festivals ... they had permission to spend part of the day in a country walk; not without a strong caution (so similar are the temptations of schoolboys and the anxieties of masters in all ages) against turning into taverns and beer-shops by the way. The “Tap” and theCHRISTOPHERhad their earlier prototypes....
Chuck,subs.(Westminster).Seequot.
1864.Hotten,Slang Dict., s.v. A schoolboy’s treat.
Chucks!intj.(general).—A signal of a master’s approach. A French equivalent isVesse!
Circum.To go circum,verb. phr.(Winchester).Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 23 [temp.1570]. At five the school was dismissed, and the whole resident society—warden, fellows, masters, and scholars—went in procession round the cloisters and the whole interior circuit of the college, which was calledGOING CIRCUM. Thus they passed into the hall, where a supper of mutton was served—one dispar to every three boys.
Clacken,subs.(Royal High School, Edin.).—A wooden bat about two feet long with a thin handle and rounded head (e.g.clacken), flat on both sides, originally used for the game ofhails. The game is no longer played at the school, but survives in the Edin. Academy. [A “Hail” in Scotland denotes the place from which a ball is driven off at the commencement of a game. “Clacken” is from “clack,” the clapper of a mill.]
Clarian,subs.(Cambridge).—A member of Clare Hall, Cambridge; alsoGreyhound(q.v.).
1889.C. Whibley,Cap and Gown. E’en stuke-struckCLARIANSstrove to stoop.
Classicus,subs.(Winchester).—A Junior in eachPart(q.v.): his duty is to get lessons set, &c.Classicus-paper=CUSE(q.v.).
Clean-straw,subs.(Winchester).—Clean sheets. [Before 1540 the beds were bundles of straw on a stone floor. At that date Dean Fleshmonger put in oaken floors, and provided proper beds, such as existed in 1871 in Third, and later in the case of the Præfect of Hall’s unused beds in Sixth. The term is never used in reference to mattresses of any kind, straw or other.] The dormitory arrangements are now thoroughly modernised.
Clipe,verb(general).—To tell tales; to “split”; to peach.
Clodding,subs.(Rugby).—A ceremony of initiation [put down by Dr. Wooll,temp.1808-28] performed on those who were promoted into the Fifth. They had to run along the course of a small gutter which flowed from the cow-sheds (seeBarn-school), through a double line of boys, who pelted them with clods of clay moistened in that not very delicate stream. Unpopular boys had these clods specially hardened for their benefit—it was even said with stones inside. On promotion from the Fourth to the Remove a boy had to run the gauntlet up and down the big school between a double line of his fellows, armed with handkerchiefs tied in “Westminster knots.” He was allowed to protect himself with books stuffed inside his trousers; but the punishment was fearful.—Collins.
Cloister-peals,subs.(Winchester).—SeePeals.
Cloister-roush,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—Seequot.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester College, p. 117. We had some singular customs at the commencement of Cloister time. Senior part and Cloisters, just before the entrance of the Masters into School, used to engage in a kind of general tournament; this was calledCLOISTER-ROUSH.
Cloisters,subs.(Winchester).—The name given to Middle and Junior Part of FifthBook(q.v.), when combined together inCloister-time(q.v.).
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 24. But the younger commoners probably seldom came into school, being taught chiefly in the chamber of the warden or fellow under whose charge they were placed; and in summer-time the whole of the scholars usually adjourned for lessons into the adjacentCLOISTERS: a delightful arrangement, from which the latter portion of the “long-half” is still calledCLOISTER-TIME.
Cloister-time,subs.(Winchester).—Ten or twelve weeks at the latter end of Long Half, commencing about Whitsunday and ending atStanding-up week(q.v.).
Clow,subs.(Winchester).—Pronouncedclō. A box on the ear. [Possibly fromclout.Halliwell,clow(Cumberland) = to scratch. Alsoclew(Glouc.) = a blow.] Also asverb: it was customary to preface the action by an injunction to “hold down.”
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester College, p. 140. The juniors did not get much fun out of the regular games, as their part consisted solely in kicking in the ball, and receiving divers kicks andCLOWSin return for their vigilance.Ibid., p. 39. Nor, when ordered to “hold down” (i.e.put your head in a convenient position) for aCLOW, would the victim dare to ward off the blow.
Club-keeper,subs.(Harrow).—A Captain of the side in a game: at cricket or football.
1820-5.Wordsworth[Letter, 1889]. The old ground which we played upon was too much upon a slope, and when I was one of theClub-keepers, and head of the eleven, a considerable sum was spent in endeavouring to improve it, and we succeeded in levelling a sufficient space for a tolerably good wicket.
Coach,subs.(formerly University and Public Schools: now common).—A private tutor; and in a transferred sense one who trains another in mental or physical acquirements:e.g.in Sanskrit, Shakspeare, cricket, or rowing. Analagous terms areCrammer,Feeder, andGrinder. Also asverb= to prepare for an examination by private instruction; to train: in general use both by coacher and coachee.
1846.Thackeray,Vanity Fair, ch. v. The superb Cuff himself ... helped him on with his Latin verses,COACHEDhim in play-hours.
1850.F. E. Smedley,Frank Fairleigh, ch. xxix. p. 240. Besides the regular college tutor, I secured the assistance of what, in the slang of the day, we irreverently termed aCOACH.
1853.C. Bede,Verdant Green, pt.I., pp. 63-4. “That man is Cram, the patent safety. He’s the firstCOACHin Oxford.” “ACOACH,” said our freshman in some wonder. “Oh, I forgot you didn’t know college slang. I suppose a royal mail is the only gentlemanCOACHyouknow of. Why, in Oxford aCOACHmeans a private tutor, you must know; and those who can’t afford aCOACH, get a cab,aliasa crib,aliastranslation.”
1864.Eton School-days, ch. ix. p. 103. Lord Fitzwinton, one of the smallest and bestCOACHES—in aquatics—in the school.
1870.London Figaro, June 10, “Quadrille Conversation.” It is, we fear, Quixotic to hope that ladies and gentlemen invited to the same ball wouldCOACHwith the same master.
1871.Times, “Report of the Debate in House of Lords on University Test Bill.” The test proposed would be wholly ineffective; ... while it would apply to the college tutors, who had little influence over the young men, it would not affect theCOACHES, who had the chief direction of their studies.
1889.Pall Mall Gazette, 29th Nov., p. 1, col. 3. The schoolmaster is concerned with the education of boys up to eighteen; all beyond that falls either to theCOACHor the professor.
1891.Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 15. OurCOACHis always finding fault with me.
Coaching,subs.(Rugby: obsolete).—A flogging.
Coat.To get one’s coat,verb. phr.(Harrow).—To be made a member of the “Sixth Form Game”; the equivalent of the “Twenty-two” at other schools: cricket.
Cob,subs.(Winchester).—A hard hit at cricket; a slogger: a recent introduction. Also asverb(common), to detect; to catch.
Verb.1. (Stonyhurst).—To purloin oranges, &c., after aDo(q.v.):e.g.“Cobfor me,” sometimes whispered by an envious disappointed one to a fortunate friend as he goes into the “Do-room.”
2. (Harrow).—In the verbal sense ofCOB= to detect; to catch (seesubs.,ante); the practice at Harrow is almost always to use the word in the passive, with “badly”:e.g.“I was badlyCOBBED‘tollying-up’” (q.v.).
Cock,subs.(Stonyhurst).—An elevation from which, at football, aGUARDER(q.v.) kicks balls which “go out”: it corresponds to the “tee” at golf.
To be cocked up,verb. phr.(Charterhouse).—Seequot.
1900.Tod,Charterhouse, 85. Fags [at Old Charterhouse] had to fag in reality at cricket; they gotCOCKED UPif they cut, and they gotCOCKED UPif they missed a catch, or muffed a ball. A stump was always handy.
Cock-house,subs.(general). A champion house; as at cricket, football—anything.
1890.Great Public Schools, 95. (Harrow) The various Houses are divided into “Upper Round” Houses (being those which possess a member of the School Eleven at the beginning of the term), and “Lower Round” Houses (being those which possess no member of the School Eleven at the beginning of the term). The “Upper Round” Houses are drawn together, and play against each other; and the same course is pursued with regard to the “Lower Round” Houses. When all these ties are played off, the winner of the “Upper Round” plays the winner of the “Lower Round” forCOCK-HOUSE. A silver challenge cup is presented to theCOCK-HOUSEof the year.
1898.WarnerinHarrow School, 271. Coming back from the holidays a boy will eagerly discuss with his comrades the prospects of the term. Have they any chance of being “COCK-HOUSE” in football or cricket—and no chance is too small on which to build a mighty castle of hope.
Cockloft, The(Harrow).—A small room at the top of the Old Schools; in turn a school-room or the limbo for theSchool-stock(q.v.) of confiscated books.
Cocks,subs.(Charterhouse).—The old washing place. [Early in the century a leaden trough, into which six taps discharged water, was fixed in a corner of Writing School, behind a partition which was constructed to hold Gownboys Library. These taps suggested the termCOCKS. Formerly Gownboys washed at the pump.]
Cocoa-club,subs.(The Leys).—Afternoon tea, &c., at four in winter in House rooms or studies.
Codd,subs.(Charterhouse).—Seequot.
1854.Thackeray,The Newcomes. Yonder sit some threescore old gentlemen, pensioners of the hospital; ... the Cistercian lads called these old gentlemenCODDS.
Cog.To cog on,verb. phr.(Durham).—To swindle; to cheat:e.g.“To cog onmarks.” AlsoTO COCK ON.
Coke on Littleton,subs. phr.(Eton).—Seequot.
1743.Daniel Wray,Letterfrom Cambridge [quoted inEtoniana(1865), 70]. One blowing a chafing-dish with a surplice sleeve, another warming a little negus or sipping “COKE UPON LITTLETON,”i.e.tent and brandy.
Coll,subs.(United Services).—The College.
1899.Public School Mag., Nov., p. 345. To deal first with the outward appearance of theCOLL.—(COLL, be it noted, not College.) “That long white barrack by the sea Stares blankly seaward still,” sings Kipling in one of his very early poems.
Collections,subs.(Oxford).—College Terminal Examinations.
1853.Bradley,Verdant Green,II.viii. Witless men were cramming forCOLLECTIONS.
College-John(Westminster).—The porter and factotum of College: invariably so-called, whatever his name may be.
Colleger,subs.1. (general).—A square cap; aMORTAR-BOARD(q.v.).
2. (Eton).—A boy on the foundation as opposed to anOppidan(q.v.).
1899.Public School Mag., Nov., p. 367. The discussion continues as to whether theCOLLEGERSshould compete for the House Cup. As we have always said, this seems a ridiculous suggestion. IfCOLLEGEis on a separate foundation to the Oppidans, we can see no reason for them to desire to join in competing for Oppidan events.
1890.Great Public Schools, 14. Parents of independent means rejoice when their sons obtain places on the Foundation at Eton. Admitted after a severe competitive examination, and specially encouraged in the habits of industry, the seventyCOLLEGERSgenerally win a large proportion of the prizes and other distinctions that are offered to Etonians, and maintain the high reputation of their old school in the class lists at Oxford and Cambridge.
College-ware,subs.(Winchester).—Crockery that falls without breaking.—Mansfield.
Combie,subs.(University).—The “Combination room,” a parlour in which college dons drink wine after Hall.
Come.Come up!intj.(Sherborne).—The order given by the Captain of the Games, after 3 Roll on a half-holiday, to start the games at football.
Come-up,subs.(Stonyhurst).—A regulation as to the conditions by which one player might try to take the ball from another: football.
Commoner,subs.(general).—A boy not on the foundation. Whence (Winchester)Commoners= the building they lived in. [Now abolished as a residence and converted into class-rooms with a handsome library. The old building, which presented externally (videMansfield) the appearance of an inferior workhouse, was successfully altered by Mr.Butterfield, and is now, in its architecture, worthy of its purpose and surroundings.]
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 26. Of the fellow-commoners, orCOMMONERS, as they are now termed, who have so increased as to form a supplementary body of scholars doubling in number the College boys themselves, it will be necessary to give some account. Provision had been made in the original statutes for the reception and instruction of independent students to the number of ten, sons of noblemen or of “special friends” of the College, who, though not claiming the other advantages of the foundation, might yet wish to avail themselves of its sound teaching; with a proviso that these should not be in any way burdensome to the revenues.... In [Dr. Burton’s] time the College rose rapidly as a place of education for many of the young nobility, and the accommodations were found insufficient. He built what is now remembered by Wykehamists of the past generation as “OLD COMMONERS.” ... The number ofCOMMONERSgradually increased, until in 1820 they reached 135. “Old Commoners” was pulled down in 1839-41 to make way for the present building, which was the result of a general Wykehamist subscription.Ibid., 115 [Westminster]. In every public school the masters were entirely dependent for any income beyond their statutable salaries on the liberality of the parents of those boys who were admitted asCOMMONERS, or oppidans.Ibid.,Etoniana, 10. [At Eton] there were two classes of these boys—“generosorum filii Commensales,” and simple “Commensales”—corresponding to the “gentleman-COMMONER” and “COMMONER” of Oxford; the former probably of higher social rank, paying more for their commons, and dining at a separate table.
Commoner-grub,subs.(Winchester).—A dinner formerly given byCOMMONERS(q.v.) to College after cricket matches.
Commoners-speaking,subs.(Winchester).—The day on which the speakers, selected from among theInferiors(q.v.), declaimed.
Common Innings,subs.(Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A form of cricket.
Common-time,subs.(Winchester).—The Short Half, and beginning of Long up to Easter time.
Commons,subs.(University).—Rations of bread, butter, and milk, supplied from the buttery. [When a number of men breakfast together, the student whose rooms are the rendezvous tells his scout the names of thosein-college men who are coming to breakfast with him. The scout then collects theirCOMMONS, which thus forms the substratum of the entertainment. The other things are of course supplied by the giver of the breakfast, and are sent in by the confectioner. As to the knives and forks and crockery, the scout produces them from his common stock.]
1853.Bradley,Verdant Green, viii. Of course you’d like to take out an æger, sir; and I can bring you yourCOMMONSjust the same.
Compo,subs.(King Edward’s, Birm.).—The championship competition in the gymnasium, or at fives; place-kicking.
Compositions,subs.(Stonyhurst).—Three days coming at the end of each quarter, during which the composition work of the various Forms is tested. According to the results is arranged the “Order of Compositions,” which is accepted as fixing a boy’s place in his Form for the ensuing quarter. There is a hill some distance from the College known as “Composition Hill,” so called because the Poets (q.v.) went there for inspiration on composition days. The first and second boys according to the order of Compositions are known respectively as “Roman Imperator” and “Carthaginian Imperator.” The last Compositions of the year used to be known as the “Great Compositions.” By them the Form medals, &c., were decided.
Compound-kish(orHish),subs.(Marlborough).—The rules of the Latin compound sentence.
Compul,adj.andadv.(Harrow).—That is, “compulsory.”
Compulsory,subs.(Charterhouse).—SeeRunabout.
Con,subs.1. (Winchester).—A rap on the head with the knuckles, or with anything hard, such as a cricket ball. Also asverb: to rap with the knuckles. [The derivation formerly accepted at Winchester was κονδυλον = a knuckle, but the editors of theWykehamistsuggest its origin in the North Countrycon, “to fillip,” with which the Frenchse cognerexactly corresponds.]
2. (general).—That is, “construe.” HenceTO GET A CONSTRUE= to get some one to translate a piece.
Conduct,subs.(Eton).—A chaplain.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 163. I was stopped on my entry into school by the “Minos.” The title of “CONDUCT,” by which the chaplains of Eton College are known, was for many years ludicrously misprinted by the successive editors of Horace Walpole’s Letters, who made him talk of “standing funking over against a conduit to be catechised.”
Conduit,subs.(Winchester).—(1) In College, a water-tap; (2) in Commoners, a lavatory.
Continent,adv.(Winchester).—Ill; on the sick-list:cf.Abroad. [Fromcontinens cameram vel lectum.] HenceCONTINENT-ROOM= a sick-chamber.
1605.Shakspeare,Lear, i. 2. I pray you have aCONTINENTforbearance; ... if you do stir abroad, go armed.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester College, p. 146. When a boy felt ill, or inclined to quit school for a period, he had to get leaveCONTINENT, which was done by sending a boy in the morning first to get leave from his tutor, and then from the Head Master.
1878.Adams,Wykehamica, p. 224. We suggested the “CONTINENTroom”; and on being required to say what was to become of the sick boys? replied, that it was notorious that there was never anything the matter with them!
1881.Felstedian, Nov., p. 75, “A Day’s Fagging at Winchester.” I remember that I have to get “LEAVE CONTINENT” for one of the fellows,i.e.he wants to be “æger for the day” (“continent,” of course = “keeping indoors,” being confined to “sick house” or the infirmary). I have to ask leave from the senior præfect in chambers, the præfect of hall, the second master, and the head-master, whom I waylay going to chapel.
Cool(orCool-kick),subs.(Eton).—A kick at football with no one near. Also asverb= to kick hard.
Copus,subs.(University).—A wine or beer cup: commonly imposed as a fine upon those who talked Latin in Hall, or committed other breaches of etiquette. [Dr. Johnson derives it fromepiscopus, and if this be correct it is doubtless the same asBishop.]
Copy,subs.(Harrow).—An asterisk:e.g.as placed on the broadsheet against the name of any boy who comes out top of his division in any subject; threeCOPIESsecure a prize in Speech-room.SeeAppendix.
Corn(The),subs.(Oxford).—Cornmarket Street.
Corner,intj.(The Leys).—Look out! Clear the way! [Originally shouted as a warning by boys cycling about the buildings on approaching a corner.]
Corner-monitor,subs.(Harrow).—The monitor in turn atBill(q.v.) to keep line and preserve order generally.
Corps-board,subs.(Harrow).—The Rifle Corps notice-board.
Cosh,subs.(King Edward’s, Birm.).—A caning. Also asverb= to cane. A rarer word isTANK(q.v.).
Cots,subs.(Christ’s Hospital).—Seequot. [A corruption of “cotton.”]
1810.Charles Lamb,Recollections of Christ’s Hospital[1835], p. 24. TheCOTS, or superior Shoe Strings of the Monitors.
Coup,verb.1. (Durham).—To upset: in frequent use on the river. [North dia.COUP= to empty or overset.]
2. (Stonyhurst).—AtBandy(q.v.), to lift the ball from the ground by means of the crook of the stick.
Course,subs.(Winchester).—Duty: inrota.In course= on duty. [Course-keeper(obsolete) = a Commoner who drew up a table of fagging duties.—Wrench.]
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester, 206.Course-keeper, an office in the patronage of the Commoner Præfects, the duties of which were principally connected with the organisation of the fagging department. He was required to have been three years in the school, to be of reasonable bodily strength, and in Middle Part. His privileges were numerous, the principal being that he was allowed to fag. When he ascended into Senior Part his duties ceased, but his privileges remained; he was then calledEX-COURSE-KEEPER.
Court, The(Stonyhurst).—The quadrangle behind the College Towers; now more commonly called the Quadrangle. [“Quadrangle” was one of the names which puzzled the Claimant in the famous Tichborne Trial.Cf.Timesreports; alsoStonyhurst Magazine, vol. i. p. 294, and vol. ii. p. 317.]
Courts,subs.(Sherborne).—The school quadrangles: the earliest known use of the term is at the end of the sixteenth century.
Cowshed,subs.(Christ’s Hospital).SeeAppendix.
c.1890.More Gleanings fromThe Blue, 84. Time was when it was looked upon as a sacred duty on the first Sunday of each term to introduce Hertford boys to those three stones in the Ditch which represent the toffee man, to show them his six little children, his brush and comb, his windmill, and whatsoever else belonging to him the imaginative youth can discern in the bare stones under theCOWSHED, as it is called. Those “sermons in stones” belonged essentially to Sunday.
Cow-shooter,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—A “deer-stalker” hat: worn by Præfects andCandle-keepers(q.v.).
Coxy,adj.(general).—Stuck up; conceited; impudent. [Coxy= conceited (Warwickshire).—Halliwell.]
1856.Hughes,Tom Brown’s School-days, p. 202. He’s theCOXIESTyoung blackguard in the house—I always told you so.Ibid., p. 214. “ConfoundedlyCOXYthose young rascals will get if we don’t mind,” was the general feeling.
1882.F. Anstey,Vice Versâ, ch. iv. “Now then, young Bultitude, you used to be a decent fellow enough last term, though you wereCOXY. So, before we go any further—what do you mean by this sort of thing?”
Coy,adv.(Sherborne).—Shy.
Crackle(orCrackling),subs.(University).—The velvet bars on the gowns of theJohnian“Hogs” (q.v.). [From a resemblance to the scored rind on roast pork.] The covered bridge between one of the courts and the grounds of John’s is called the Isthmus of Suez (Latinsus, a swine).
1885.Cuthbert Bede, inNotes and Queries, 6 S., xi. 414. The wordCRACKLErefers to the velvet bars on the students’ gowns.
Cram,subs.(general).—An adventitious aid to study; a translation; a crib. Asverb= to study at high pressure. Hence,CRAMMER= aCOACH(q.v.); aGRINDER(q.v.); andCRAMMING= studying hard.
1803.Gradus ad Cantab., s.v.
1812. MissEdgeworth,Patronage, ch. iii. Put him into the hands of a clever grinder orCRAMMER, and they would soon cram the necessary portion of Latin and Greek into him.
1825.Hone,Every-Day Book, Feb. 22. Shutting my room door ... andCRAMMINGEuc.
1841.Punch, vol. i. p. 201, col. 1. Aspirants to honours in law, physic, or divinity, each know the value of privateCRAMMING.
1844.Puck, p. 13. Though for Great Go and for Small, I teach Paley,CRAMand all.
1853.Bradley(“C. Bede”),Verdant Green, pt.II.p. 68. The infatuated Mr. Bouncer madly persisted ... in going into the school clad in his examination coat, and padded over with a host ofCRAMS.
1863.Charles Reade,Hard Cash, i. p. 16. “All this term I have been (‘training’ scratched out and another word put in: c—r oh, I know)CRAMMING.” “Cramming, love?” “Yes, that is Oxfordish for studying.”
1869.Spencer,Study of Sociology, ch. xv. 574 (9th ed.). And here, by higher culture, I do not mean mere language-learning, and an extension of the detestableCRAMMINGsystem at present in use.
1872.Besant and Rice,My Little Girl. The writer of one crushing articleCRAMMEDfor it, like Mr. Pott’s young man.
1872.Evening Standard, Aug. 16. “The Competition Wallah.” TheCRAMMERfollows in the wake of competitive examinations as surely as does the shadow the body.
1872.Daily News, Dec. 20. Competitive examinations for the public service defeated in a great measure the object of their promoters, which was to place rich and poor on an equality, because success was made to depend very largely on successfulCRAMMING, which meant a high-pricedCRAMMER.
Crib,subs.(general).—A surreptitious aid to study. Also asverb.
1841.Punch, i. 177.Cribbinghis answers from a tiny manual ... which he hides under his blotting-paper.Ibid., 185. He has with a prudent forethought stuffed hisCRIBSinside his double-breasted waistcoat.
1855.Thackeray,Newcomes, ch. xxii. I wish I had read Greek a little more at school, ... when we return I think I shall try and read it withCRIBS.
1856.T. Hughes,Tom Brown’s School-days, pt.II.ch. vi. Tom, I want you to give up using vulgus books andCRIBS.Ibid., ii. 3. Two highly moral lines ... which heCRIBBEDentire from one of his books.
1889.Globe, 12th Oct., p. 1, col. 4. Always, it seems likely, there will be men “going up” for examinations; and every now and again, no doubt, there will be among them a wily “Heathen Pass-ee” like him of whom Mr. Hilton speaks—who hadCRIBSup his sleeve, and notes on his cuff.
Crick, The(Rugby).Seequot.
1890.Great Public Schools, 182.The crickis the most celebrated of all school runs. Everybody, I fancy, in the running world has heard of it. On a day at the end of the Christmas term—generally on the first Thursday in December—you may see all the School assembled at the “Quad gates.”...The crickis only run once a year. Its course is along roads and footpaths to Crick village, and then back by Hillmorton, the finish being a length of about a third of a mile along the Hillmorton Road. It is a race pure and simple; and is in this respect a race against time.... The length of the race is supposed to be about eleven or twelve miles, and the time in which it is run is generally between an hour and twenty minutes and an hour and a half.
Cricket-bill,subs.(Harrow).—A “call-over” on the cricket-ground. All fall into line, down which a master goes noting the number of those absent as stated by theShepherds(q.v.).
Cricket-Quarter,subs.(Charterhouse).—SeeLong Quarter.
Croc,subs.(Cheltenham).—A ladies’ school when walking out.
Crocketts,subs.(Winchester).—A kind of bastard cricket, sometimes called “smallCROCKETTS.” A stump was used and a fives ball, with a bat of plain deal about two inches broad, or a broomstick.To get crocketts= to fail to score; to get a “duck’s egg.”Cf.Books.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester College, p. 122. The more noisily disposed would indulge in ... playing Hicockolorum, orCROCKETTS.