Saccer,subs.(Harrow).—The Sacrament.Cf.Soccer,Rugger,Brekker,Collecker, &c.
Salt,subs.(Eton).—The gratuity exacted at the now obsolete triennial festival of theMontem(q.v.).
1886.Brewer,Phrase and Fable, s.v.Salt-hill. At the EtonMontemthe captain of the school used to collect money from the visitors on Montem day. Standing on a mound at Slough, he waved a flag, and persons appointed for the purpose collected the donations. The mound is still calledSALT-HILL, and the money given was calledSALT. The word salt is similar to the Latinsala’rium(salary), the pay given to Roman soldiers and civil officers.
1890.Speaker, 22nd Feb., 210. 2. In lively but worldly fashion we go to Eton, with its buried Montem, its “SALT! your majesty,SALT!” its gin-twirley, and its jumping through paper fires in Long-Chamber.
Salt-bearer,subs.(Eton).—SeeMontem.
Samson,subs.(Durham: obsolete).—A baked jam pudding.
Sanderites(Charterhouse).—The head-master’s house. [Dr. Sanders was head-master 1832-53.]
Sands,subs.(Winchester).—The pavement on the north side of Chapel in Chamber Court.
Sandwich-boat.SeeBumping-race.
Sap,subs.(common).—A hard worker; a diligent student.
1827.Lytton,Pelham, ch. ii. When I once attempted to read Pope’s poems out of school hours, I was laughed at, and called aSAP.
1850.Smedley,Frank Fairlegh, 117. After several fruitless attempts to shake my determination, they pronounced me an incorrigibleSAP, and leaving me to my own devices, proceeded to try their powers upon Oaklands.
1856.Whyte-Melville,Kate Coventry, ch. xvii. At school, if he makes an effort at distinction in school-hours, he is stigmatised by his comrades as aSAP.
1888.Goschen,Speech at Aberdeen, Jan. 31. Remember the many epithets applied to those who, not content with doing their work, commit the heinous offence of being absorbed in it ... schools and colleges ... have invented for this purpose, with that peculiar felicity which attaches to schoolboy nomenclature, phrases, semi-classical, or wholly vernacular, such as a “SAP,” a “smug,” a “swot,” a “bloke,” a “mugster.”
Verb.To read or study hard; to sweat.
1848.C. Kingsley,Yeast, i.Sappingand studying still.
1853.Lytton,My Novel, Bk.I.ch. xii. He understands that he was sent to school to learn his lessons, and he learns them. You call thatSAPPING—I call it doing his duty.
1856. MissYonge,Daisy Chain, ch. xii. “At it again!” exclaimed Dr. May. “Carry it away, Ethel; I will have no Latin or Greek touched these holidays.” “You know,” said Norman, “if I don’tSAP, I shall have no chance of keeping up!”
1891.Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 46. I ... haven’t to goSAPPINGround to get it when I want my own tea.
Sappy,adj.(Durham).—Severe: of a caning.
Sark,verb(Sherborne).—To sulk.
Saturday-nighter,subs.(Harrow).—An exercise set for Saturday night: usually an essay, map, or poem.
Scadger,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—A scamp; a rascal. Now a general colloquialism.
Scaff,subs.(Christ’s Hospital).—A selfish fellow. [The adjectival forms areSCALYandSCABBY, whence may be the derivation.] Obsolete:seeScouse.
Scaldings,intj.(Winchester).—A general injunction to be gone; “Be off!”
Scan and Prove(Harrow).—SeeUpper School.
Scheme,subs.(Winchester).—An alarum worked by a candle.Seequot.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Scheme.... The candle on reaching a measured point ignites paper, which by burning a string releases a weight: this falls on the head of the boy to be waked.
Schitt,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—A goal: at football.SeeGowner.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Schitt.... This was the word in general use till 1860, when it was superseded by “goal.” In early Winchester football there seems to have been three methods of scoring—agoal, agowner, aSCHITT, worth respectively 3, 2, and 1. The last behind stood between two gowns, which made a goal. The ball passing over his head or between his legs scored three, over the gowns two, over the rest of “worms” one. When the whole of “worms” was made to count equally, every goal was aSCHITT.
Schol,subs.(Harrow).—(1) A scholar; and (2) a scholarship.
School-stock,subs.(Harrow).—The old books kept by the school.
School-twelve,subs.(Harrow).—The twelve who take a leading part at the concert.
Scob(orScobb),subs.(Winchester).—Seequots.
1620.Account[to J. Hutton at his entrance into the College]. For aSCOBBto hold his books, 3s. 6d.
1890.Grant Allen,Tents of Shem, xlii. Parker’sSCOBwas 220.Scobwas box in Winchester slang.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Scob.... An oak box with a double lid, set at the angles of the squares of wooden benches in school. It is used as desk and book-case.... Probably the word has been transferred from the bench itself, and comes from Fr.Escabeau. Lat.Scabellum.
Sconce,verb. 1. (University: once common).—To fine; to deduct by way of fine; to discontinue. Also assubs.WhenceTO BUILD A SCONCE= to run up a score (as at an alehouse, or of fines).
1632.Shirley,Witty Fair One, iv. sc. 2. College! I have had a head in most of the butteries of Cambridge, and it has beenSCONCEDto purpose.
c.1640. [Shirley]Captain Underwit[Bullen,Old Plays, ii. 323].Tho.I can teach you to build aSCONCE, sir.
1696.B. E.,Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.Sconce. To build a largeSCONCE, to run deep upon tick or trust.
1730.Jas. Miller,Humours of Oxford, i. p. 9 (2nd ed.). No, no, my dear, I understand more manners than to leave my friends to go to church—no, tho’ theySCONCEme a fortnight’s commons, I’ll not do it.
1748.T. Dyche,Dictionary(5th ed.).Sconce(v.) ... also a cant word for running up a score at an alehouse or tavern.
1760.Johnston,Chrysal, ch. xxviii. [Cooke’sed.,N.D.]. These youths have been playing a small game, cribbing from the till, and buildingSCONCES, and such like tricks that there was no taking hold of.
1765.Goldsmith,Essays, viii. He ran into debt with everybody that would trust him, and none could build aSCONCEbetter than he.
1768.Foote,Devil upon Two Sticks, ii. 1. She paid my bill the next day withoutSCONCINGoff sixpence.
1821.The Etonian, ii. 391. WasSCONCEDin a quart of ale for quoting Latin, a passage from Juvenal; murmured, and the fine was doubled.
1823.Bee,Slang Dict., s.v.Sconce... To discontinue: asSCONCEhis diet = give less victuals.Sconcethe reckoning = to go no further in debt, but bolt.
1847.Halliwell,Archaic Words, s.v.Sconce.... “ToSCONCE, to eat more than another,Winton; toSCONCE, to impose a pecuniary mulct,Oxon.,” Kennett, MS. ToSCONCEat Oxford, was to put a person’s name in the College buttery books by way of fine.
1864.Hotten,Slang Dict., s.v.Sconce. The Dons fined orSCONCEDfor small offences;e.g.five shillings for wearing a coloured coat in hall at dinner-time. Among undergrads, a pun, or an oath, or an indecent remark, wasSCONCEDby the head of the table. If the offender could, however, floor the tankard of beer which he wasSCONCED, he could retort on hisSCONCERto the extent of twice the amount he wasSCONCEDin.
1883.H. T. Ellacombe[Notes and Queries, 6 S., viii. 326]. Men wereSCONCEDif accidentally they appeared in hall undressed. I think theSCONCEwas a quantity of beer to the scouts. TheSCONCE-table was hung up in the buttery.
1899.Answers, 14th Jan., i. 1. The average freshman is not very long at Oxford before he is acquainted with the mysteries ofSCONCING. ASCONCEis a fine of a quart of ale, in which the unlucky fresher is mulcted for various offences in Hall.
1899.Public School Mag., Dec., p. 476. Opponents who get in each other’s way and “SCONCE” the “kicks.”
2. (Winchester).—To hinder; to get in the way: as of a kick at football, a catch at cricket, &c.:e.g.“If you had notSCONCED, I should have made a flyer!”
Scourge,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—To flog. WhenceSCOURGING= a flogging of three strokes.SeeScrubbingandTund.
1883.Trollope,What I Remember.... The words “flog” or “flogging,” it is to be observed, were never heard among us, in the mouth either of the masters or the boys. We wereSCOURGED.
Scout,subs.(Oxford).—A College servant: combining the duties of valet, waiter, messenger, &c.
1750.The Student, i. 55. MySCOUTindeed is a very learned fellow.
1853.Bradley,Verdant Green, iii. Infatuated Mr. Green! If you could have foreseen that those spoons and forks would have soon passed—by a mysterious system of loss which undergraduate powers can never fathom—into the property of Mr. Robert Filcher, the excellent, though occasionally erratic,SCOUTof your beloved son ... you would have been content to have let your son and heir represent the ancestral wealth by any sham that would equally well have served his purpose!
1884.Julian SturgisinLongmans’ Mag., v. 65. The old don went back to his chair, and ... thrust the bits into the waste-paper basket, as his “SCOUT” came in with a note.
Scrape out,verb(Winchester).—When a Præfect wished to go out of School, heSCRAPEDwith his foot till he got a nod from the Master.—Mansfield(c.1840).
Scrub,verb(Christ’s Hospital).—To write fast:e.g.“SCRUBit down.” Also assubs.= handwriting. [Lat.scribere.]SeeStrive.
Scrubbing,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—A flogging: four strokes atSCRUBBING-FORMS.SeeScourge.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 109. The ordinary punishment consisted of four cuts, and was called “A SCRUBBING.” The individual who was to be punished was told “to order his name,” which he did by going to the Ostiarius, and requesting him to do so; that officer accordingly, at the end of school time, would take his name to the Master, who would then call it out, and the victim had to kneel down at Senior row, while two Juniors laid bare the regulation space of his back. The first time a boy’s name was ordered, the punishment was remitted on his pleading “Primum tempus.” For a more serious breach of duty, a flogging of six cuts (a “Bibler”) was administered, in which case the culprit had to “order his name to the Bible-Clerk,” and that individual, with the help of Ostiarius, performed the office of Jack Ketch. If a boy was detected in a lie, or any very disgraceful proceeding—a rare occurrence, I am happy to say—he had to stand up in the centre of Junior row during the whole of the school time, immediately preceding the infliction of the flogging; this pillory process was called a “Bibler under the nail.” I have also heard, that for a very heinous offence, a boy might be punished in Sixth Chamber, in which case the number of stripes was not limited; but I never knew an instance of this.
1864.Blackwood’s Magazine, vol. xcv., p. 79. Underneath is the place of execution, where delinquents areBIBLED.Ibid., p. 72. It need hardly be said that it [the rod] is applied in the ordinary fashion: six cuts forming what is technically called aBIBLING—on which occasions the Bible-Clerk introduces the victim; four being the sum of a less terrible operation called aSCRUBBING.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Scrubbing.... According to T. A. Trollope, the word in use in his day wasSCOURGING: this, however, he describes as of three strokes: he does not mention “bibling.” He was in College 1820-28.
Scrutiny,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 62. The Oxford visitors, on their arrival, proceed at once to “Election Chamber” to hear any complaints which the boys may have to prefer. This is called theSCRUTINY, the seven senior prefects, and the seven juniors in chambers (one from each chamber), are separately questioned; but complaints are seldom made. Next morning the examination for election of scholars to New College begins—no longer in the renowned “Election Chamber” itself, but in the long “Warden Gallery,” as more convenient for the purpose; all prefects who are of standing to leave the school are examined with any other who choose.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Scrutiny. An examination of the seven Seniors and seven Juniors in College, on the subject of their personal comfort, &c., in College. There were twoSCRUTINEESin the year; one conducted by the Warden of New College and Posers in Election Week, the other by the Wardens and Fellows of Winchester in Sealing Week.
Scud,subs.(Rugby).—A runner.
1856.Hughes,Tom Brown’s School-days, v. “I say,” said East, as he got his wind, looking with much increased respect at Tom, “you ain’t a badSCUD, not by no means. Well, I’m as warm as a toast now.”
Scull,subs.(University).—The head (or master) of a College.
1864.Hotten,Slang Dict., s.v.Scull.The head, or master of a college: nearly obsolete; the gallery, however, in St. Mary’s (the Oxford University church), where the “Heads of Houses” sit in solemn state, is still nicknamed the “Golgotha” by the undergraduates.
Scull-race,subs.(University).—A University Examination.
Scuttle,verb(Christ’s Hospital, Hertford).—To cry out under oppression with a view to attracting the notice of one in authority. HenceSCUTTLE-CAT= one whoSCUTTLES. Obsolete.
Second-bounce,subs.(Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A kind of handball once very popular.
Second-bowler, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A wicket-keeper.SeeStonyhurst-cricket.
Second-Elevens,subs.(Harrow).—(1) A match, at football, for practice: between two Houses, not as aHouse-match(q.v.). Also (2) a match, at cricket, between any Eleven from two Houses, saveCaps(q.v.) and those in a regular game. AlsoSeconders.
Second-examen,subs.(Stonyhurst).—A punishment for great carelessness in study during a term:e.g.I’ve gotSECOND-EXAM.
Second-guarder.SeeGuarder.
Second-peal.SeePeal.
Semi-bejan,subs.(Aberdeen).—A student in the second class.
Semper,adj.(Winchester).—Always:e.g.I have gotSEMPERleave-out.SeeAppendix.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 233. A very common prefix;e.g.a boy was said to beSEMPERContinent, Tardy, or Ex Trumps if he was often at Sick-house, or late for Chapel, or habitually went up to Books without having looked at his lessons. An official who was always present at the College meetings went by the name ofSemper Testis.
Send.To send down,verb. phr.(University).—To expel; to rusticate.SeeGo down.
1891.Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 89. Next day they were hauled andSENT DOWN.
1891.Felstedian, April, p. 32. TheySENThim down for two terms for smashing a shop window.
To send up,verb. phr.(Harrow).—(1) To send up to the head-master for some offence. Also (2) of an exercise sent up to the head-master as “very good.”
Senior.SeeJunior.
Senior Hall(Shrewsbury).—Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 246. The boarders reside chiefly either in the head-master’s house, orSENIOR HALL, as it is called, or in a house adjoining rented by him, and called the “Junior Hall.” The second-master also has a “Hall,” which will accommodate about twenty. But the buildings are old, in many cases badly adapted for their present use, and have either been purchased, built, or rented from time to time by the head-master as the numbers of the school required.
Senior Part,subs.(Winchester).—SeeBooks.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 233.Senior Part, the Fifth—The part next below the Præfects, generally calledSENIOR PART.
1900.St. James’s Gazette, Mar. 15, “Arnoldiana.” One day they were both invited to breakfast by the Head, in the company of a “stupid boy” fromSENIOR PART.
Senior Soph.SeeSoph.
Servant,subs.(Eton).—SeeMontem.
Servitor,subs.(old).—SeeSizer.
Seventh-chamber,subs.(Winchester).—Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 23. The schoolroom was stillSEVENTH-CHAMBER—Magna illa domus, as the founder’s directions call it—though, as some of the commoners must have been taught together with the scholars, it is difficult to understand how so many could have found room there without great confusion.
Shack,subs.(Felsted).—A share. WhenceTO GO SHACK= to give a share.
Shadow,subs.(Westminster).—Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, 187. When a boy is first placed in the school he is attached to another boy in the same form something in the relation of an apprentice. The new boy is called the “SHADOW,” the other, the “Substance.” For the first week theSHADOWfollows the Substance everywhere, takes his place next to him in class, accompanies him as he rises or falls, and is exempt from any responsibility for his own mistakes in or out of school. During this interval of indulgence, his patron is expected to initiate him in all the work of the school, to see that he is provided with the necessary books and other appliances, and, in short, to teach him by degrees to enter upon a substantial and responsible existence of his own.
She,subs.(Charterhouse).—A plum-pudding.Cf.He.
Sheep,subs.(Aberdeen).—A second classman or undergraduate.
1865.Macdonald,Alec Forbes, ii. 5. At length a certain semi (second-classman, or more popularlySHEEP) stood up to give his opinion on some subject in dispute.
Sheepskin, subs. (University).—The diploma received on taking a degree. [Because inscribed on parchment.] Hence a person who has taken a degree.
Shell,subs.(originally Westminster).—Seequot.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, 178. At the end of this room [the school-room] there is a kind of semicircular apse, in which theSHELLform were formerly taught, and the shape of which is said to have given rise to this name, since adopted at several other public schools.
Shepherd, subs. (Harrow).—Every sixth boy inCricket-bill(q.v.): he answers for the five below him being present.
Shield(The),subs.(Harrow).—The Ashburton Shield: shot for at Bisley by Public School Eights.
Shig,subs.(Winchester).—A shilling.—Mansfield(c.1840).
Shimmy,subs.(Felsted: obsolete).—A shirt.
Shin,verb(Eton).—To kick on the shins.
1864.Eton School-days, xiii. He could not go out of his tutor’s if there happened to be any one in the yard without some one throwing a stone at him, or hissing, orSHINNINGhim if he passed near enough.
Ship,verb.1. (Sherborne).—To turn a boy out of bed with his mattress on top of him.Cf.Launch.
2. (general).—ToRUSTICATE(q.v.).
Shirk,subs.(Stonyhurst).—An old building of some dimensions, containing a number of private rooms; erected for temporary use, but since found of too much service to be demolished.
1884.Stonyhurst Mag., i. 277. Gothic architecture of all descriptions, including Elizabethan, was trampled out by the Renaissance (revived Greek), of whichSHIRKis a very bad specimen (where it tries to be ornamental, as in its triangular pediment and the pilasters beside the larger window).
Verb.1. (Eton).—To hide when liable to be caught out of bounds. Obsolete.
2. (Winchester).—SeeHills.
Shirkster,subs.(Winchester).—One who shirks.
To shirk in,verb. phr.(Winchester).—To walk into water when bathing.
To shirk out,verb. phr.(Winchester).—To go out contrary to rules.
Shirt-sleevie,subs.(Loretto).—A dance; on winter Saturday evenings, and sometimes in the open air at the end of summer term. [The costume is rationalde rigeur: a flannel shirt open at neck and flannel trousers—no coat or waistcoat may be worn.]
Shootabout,subs.(Charterhouse).—An irregular form of football.
Shooter,subs.(Harrow).—A black morning coat: as distinguished from the tail-coat worn by the Fifth and Sixth Forms.
Shorts,subs.(general).—Flannel trousers;CUTS(q.v.).
Shot,intj.(Royal High School, Edin.).—A cry of warning at the approach of a master.
Out by shot,phr.(Stonyhurst).—At football when the ball before going out hits one of the opposite side to the one who last kicked.SeeForce.
Shuffle,verb(Winchester).—To pretend; to feign: as “toSHUFFLEasleep.” HenceSHUFFLER.
Shy,subs.(Eton).—A point at theWall(q.v.) game.
Siberia,subs.(Felsted).—A section of the house containing many private rooms. [From its supposed temperature in winter.]
1889.Felstedian, July, 65. There lieth here a district which hath the nameSIBERIA: and also its people are called not Siberians, butSIBERIA.
Sick-house,subs.(Winchester).—The College sanatorium, which stands inSick-house meads.SeealsoBox-houseandBox-buildings.
Silver-fork,subs.(Winchester).—A wooden skewer used as a chop-stick when forks were scarce.—Mansfield(c.1840).
Silver-pence,subs.(Westminster).—Small money rewards—which were the pride of Westminsters in Cowper’s day—are still continued. The coins are furnished to the school by the Queen’s almoner in their unmilled state, prior to their issue as currency. Some are given by the head-master every week, and are valued quite as much as more substantial prizes. Silver money is also furnished by the college steward to the guests at the Elections dinners, that they may be prepared to reward the epigrams; but this is the ordinary coin of the realm.
Sim,subs.(Cambridge).—A Simeonite, or member of the Evangelical section of the Church of England. The modern equivalent isPi-man(q.v.). [From the Rev.Charles Simeon(1759-1836), fifty-four years Vicar of Holy Trinity, Cambridge.]
1826.Todd,The Sizar’s Table[Whibley,Cap and Gown, 109]. Some carnally given to women and wine, Some apostles of Simeon, all pure and divine.
1853.Bristed,Eng. Univ., 39. While passing for a terribly hard reading-man, and aSIMof the straightest kind with the empty bottles.
Simon,subs.(King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—A cane. [Acts ix. 43.]
Sines,subs.(Winchester).—Bread. ASINES= a small loaf.
Single,subs.(Harrow).—A room for exclusive use: thusDOUBLE(q.v.).
Sink,subs.(The Leys).—(1) A heavy feed; a “stodge.” Also (2) one who indulges therein; a glutton.
Sitter,subs.(Oxford and Harrow).—A sitting-room.
Six, subs. (Oxford).—A W.C.
Six-and-Six,subs.(Winchester).—Football: six a side.Cf.Twenty-Two and Twenty-Two.SeeAppendix.
Sixes,subs.(The Leys).—Football teams for competition—six a side.SeeKid, and Appendix.
Six of...,phr.(Harrow).—An order to the value of sixpence. ThusSIX OF SAUSAGES WITH(archaic) = sixpennyworth of sausages with potatoes.
Sixpenny,subs.(Eton).—A large field for football and cricket.SeePlaying-fields.
1864.Eton School-days, vi. I tell you plainly, if you are not inSIXPENNYafter twelve, I will do my best to give you a hiding wherever I meet you.
Six-raps,subs.(Stonyhurst: recently obsolete).—A game consisting chiefly in rapping balls across the playground to be caught by others.
1887.Stonyhurst Mag., iii. 18, “Stonyhurst in the Fifties.”Six raps, it may be remarked, was in those days played with a miniature Stonyhurst-cricket (q.v.) ball.
Size,subs.(Cambridge).—An allowance of bread, &c., for a particular price; butseequots. WhenceSIZINGS.
1592.Nashe,Pierce Penilesse[Works, ii. 68]. The Maister Butler of Pembrooke Hall, a farre better Scholler than thy selfe, (in my iudgement) and one that sheweth more discretion and gouernment in setting vp aSISEof Bread, than thou in all thy whole booke.
1605.Shakspeare,Lear, ii. 4. To bandy hasty words, to scant mySIZES.
1614.Beaumont and Fletcher,Wit at Several Weapons, ii. To be so strict A niggard to your commons, that you’re fainTo SIZEyour belly out with shoulder fees, With kidnies, rumps, &c.
1620.Minsheu,Dict., s.v.Size. A farthing which schollers in Cambridge have at the buttery, noted with the letter S.
1632.Shirley,Witty Fair One, iv. 2. College! I have had a head in most of the butteries of Cambridge, and it has been sconced to purpose. I know what belongs toSIZING, and have answered to my cue in my days.
1656.BLOUNT,Glossographia, ...Size.—A farthing’s worth of bread or drink which scholars at Cambridge had at the buttery.
1773.Hawkins,Origin of the Drama, iii. 271. You are still at Cambridge with yourSIZEcue.
1795.Gent. Mag., p. 21. In general, aSIZEis a small plateful of any eatable; and at dinner,TO SIZEis to order for yourself any little luxury that may chance to tempt you, in addition to the general fare, for which you are expected to pay the cook at the end of the term.
1823.Nares,Glossary, s.v.Size.To feed withSIZES, or small scraps.
1853.Bristed,Five Years, 20. Go through a regular second course instead of theSIZINGS.
1864.Hotten,Slang Dict., s.v.
Verb(Cambridge).—To order extras over and above the usual commons at the dinner in College hall. Soup, pastry, &c., areSIZINGS, and are paid for at a certain specified rate perSIZE, or portion, to the college cook. Whence, to pay one’s share of the expense: as at a supper-party.Sizing-party= a number of students who contribute each his own part towards a supper, &c.
1785.Grose,Vulg. Tongue, s.v.Size... If a man asks you to sup he treats you: ifTO SIZE, you pay for what you eat, liquors only being provided by the inviter.
1853.Bristed,Eng. Univ., 19. Soup, pastry, and cheese can beSIZED FOR.
Sizer(orSizar),subs.(Cambridge).—A poor scholar. They were elected annually; paid rent for rooms and other fees on a lower scale than ordinary students; and got their dinners including sizings(seeSize,subs.andverb) from what was left at the Upper or Fellows’ table, free, or nearly so. They were equivalent to theBATTLERS(q.v.) orSERVITORS(q.v.) of Oxford.
1574. [R. W. Church,Spenser(1888), ch. i. p. 9.] On the 20th of May, he was admittedSIZAR, or serving clerk at Pembroke Hall.
1670.J. Eachard,Contempt of the Clergy[Arber’sGarner, vol. vii. p. 257]. They took therefore, heretofore, a very good method to preventSIZARSoverheating their brains. Bed-making, chamber-sweeping, and water-fetching were doubtless great preservatives against too much vain philosophy.
1779.Johnson,Life of Milton, Par. 7. He was ... removed in the beginning of his sixteenth year to Christ’s College in Cambridge, where he entered aSIZAR, Feb. 12, 1624.
1820.Lamb,Elia(Oxford in the Long Vacation). In moods of humility I can be aSIZAR, or a Servitor. When the peacock vein rises, I strut a Gentleman Commoner.
1840.Lytton,Money, ii. 3. I was put to school—sent to college, aSIZAR. Do you know what aSIZARis? In pride he is a gentleman—in knowledge he is a scholar—and he crawls about, amidst gentlemen and scholars, with the livery of a pauper on his back!
1847.Halliwell,Archaic Words, s.v.Sizer.... A student at Cambridge whose expenses for living are partially provided by the College, originally a servitor, as serving one of the Fellows. Each Fellow of a College had one servitor allotted to him.
1857.Moncrieff,Bashful Man, ii. 4.Collegian.Who’s that fat gentleman that’s just got in?Coachman.That fat gentleman’s aSIZERfrom Corpus.
Skew,subs.(Harrow).—An entrance examination held on the last Thursday of term.SeeDab, and Appendix.
Ski(orSci), subs. (Westminster).—A plebeian; an outsider: specifically the outer rabble of invaders of the territory of Dean’s yard, belonging of right to thegens togataas Romans. [Said to be an abbreviation ofVolsci.]
Skimmer,subs.(Winchester).—A method of entering the water when bathing: by just skimming beneath the surface, and rising again immediately.—Mansfield(c.1840).
Skimmery,subs.(Oxford).—St. Mary’s Hall.
1853.Bradley,Verdant Green, viii. I swopped the beggar to aSKIMMERYman for regular slap-up sets of the ballet.
1860. G. and P.Wharton,Wits and Beaux of Society, p. 427. After leaving Westminster School he was sent to immortalSKIMMERY(St. Mary’s Hall), Oxford.
Skip,subs.(Dublin).—A College servant: valet, messenger, and waiter combined: the OxfordSCOUT(q.v.), and at Cambridge aGYP(q.v.). Formerly (in general use) = a footman.
1703.Ward,London Spy, Pt. VII. p. 151. As a Courtier’s Footman when he meets his BrotherSKIPin the middle ofCovent-garden.
1754.Martin,Eng. Dict., s.v.Skip.... A nickname for a footman.
1839.Lever,Harry Lorrequer, ch. xiii. For the uninitiated I have only to add thatSKIPis the Trinity College [Dublin] appellation for servant.
1842.Tait’s Mag., Oct., “Rem. College Life.” TheSKIP, or according to the Oxford etymology, the man-vulture, is not fit for his calling who cannot time his business so as to be present simultaneously at several places.
1849.Thackeray,Pendennis, ch. xx. His wounded tutor, his many duns, theSKIPand bedmaker who waited upon him.
Skirmish.To skirmish on,verb. phr.(Winchester).—To run home fromHills(q.v.) when it commenced to rain.
Skug(orScug),subs.(Eton).—SeeAppendix.
1889.Drage,Cyril, vii. Such a littleSKUG, to use a word in use at my tutor’s.
Skull.SeeScull.
Sky,verb(Harrow).—(1) To charge any one, or to knock down: at football. Also (2) = to hit or throw anything away.
Skyte,subs.(Shrewsbury).—A day boy. [Σχυθαι]
Slabs,subs.(Durham: obsolete).—A flat cake.
Slack,verb(Durham).—To sell: specifically, to dispose of property to a dealer in second-hand goods. [From the name of a second-hand bookseller in Durham.]
Slave-driver,subs.(Harrow).—A fag-master: exclusively at cricket.
1890.Great Public Schools, p. 95. The upper ground on these days is given up to practice at the nets for the Eleven and the “Sixth Form” game, and to practice in fielding and catching. Boys below the Removes have to fag for them, and these fags are managed bySLAVE-DRIVERS(three or four boys appointed for the purpose).
Sleath’s.SeePlanks.
Slime,verb(Durham).—To try and cut games. Also = to loaf; to lounge:e.g.SLIMINGdown town.SeeApp.
Slog,subs.(general).—A large slice.
Verb(Stonyhurst).—At hockey to hit at the ball when the right hand is less than a foot below the left on the stick.
Sloggers,subs.(Cambridge).—The second division of boats; corresponding to the OxfordTORPIDS(q.v.).
Slosher,subs.(Cheltenham).—An assistant in a boarding-house charged with superintending dormitories, evening work, &c.
Slow,adv.(Winchester).—Ignorant of WinchesterNOTIONS(q.v.).
Slum,verb(Derby).—To evade; to get out of anything, as work. Also (University), to avoid observation by using by-streets.
Small,adj.(Harrow).—1. Under sixteen years of age: eligible to go in forSMALLevents in the sports.SeeBig.
2. Applied to boarding-houses kept by some of the assistant masters, and strictly limited to seven or eight boys: a comparatively modern arrangement, having been institutedcirca1850.
Small-pill,subs.(The Leys).—A diminutive football; used on “runs.”
Smalls,subs.(Oxford).—The first examination.
1853.Bradley,Verdant Green,II. xi. The little gentleman was going in for his Degree,aliasGreat-go,aliasGreats; and our hero for his first examinationin literis humanioribus,aliasResponsions,aliasLittle-go,aliasSMALLS.
1863.Reade,Hard Cash.... Cramming forSMALLS.... Julia reminded her thatSMALLSwas the new word forLITTLE-GO.
Smoke.SeeCobbler.
Smoker(orSmoke-shell),subs.(Royal Military Academy).—A chamber-mug.
Smug,subs.(general).—An ill-mannered, ill-dressed, or unpopular student. Also asverb= to keep indoors hard at work; whence also (assubs.) a hard worker.
Smuggler,subs.(Winchester).—A small lead-pencil pointed at both ends.
Snack,subs.(Winchester).—A racket ball: formerly a bat-fives ball. [Snack-balls(Glouc.) = balls made ofSNACK(a dried fungus), which are very elastic and bounce well.]
Snap-up,verb(Winchester).—Seequot.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 234.Snapping upfor false quantities.—When up at Books, if any boy, when translating, made a false quantity, any other boy (however low down in the Part) who could first correct him was allowed to go up above him. If, however, theSNAPPER-UPwas himself wrong, he had to go to the bottom of the Part.
Snicks.To go snicks,verb. phr.(Winchester).—To share.
Snitch,subs.(Christ’s Hospital).—A term of contempt.
Verb(Derby).—To hit in the eye.
Sniw.To offer sniw,verb. phr.(The Leys).—To cheek. [Sniw= Snow.]
Snob,subs.1. (University).—A townsman.
2. (Marlborough).—Small cricket: as two together, or at tip and run.
Snoke,subs.(Durham: obsolete).—(1) An underhand person:e.g.“He is a greatSNOKE”; (2) an untoward circumstance:e.g.“It was a greatSNOKE, we lost the match.”
Verb.To inform: of an offence. Not necessarily “to sneak,” because it could be used of a master reporting to the Head-master.
1847.Halliwell,Archaic Words, s.v.Snoke.To ferret out; to pry into.North.Snoke-horne,Townley Myst., p. 68, a sneaking fellow.
Snook,verb(Shrewsbury).—(1) To do the whole of an examination proper. Whence (2) to beat in argument or repartee.
Snooker,subs.(Royal Military Academy).—A newly-joined cadet of the fourth class.
Soap,subs.(Royal Military Academy).—Cheese.
Socius,subs.(Winchester).—A chum; a companion.
Verb(Winchester).—To accompany. [The School precept isSociati omnes incedunto.]
Sock,subs.1. (Eton).—Edibles of any kind. HenceTO SOCK= to eat outside regular meals:e.g.“WeSOCKEDLyndsay minor three times last week,”i.e.we gave him something to eat outside his regular meals three times last week. WhenceSOCK= to give.
1881.Pascoe,Everyday Life in our Public Schools.... The consumption ofSOCK, too, in school was considerable, and on occasion very conspicuous.
1883.Brinsley-Richards,Seven Years at Eton.... We Eton fellows, great and small,SOCKEDprodigiously. By the way, I do not know whence that termSOCK, as applied to what boys at some schools call “grub,” and others “tick,” is derived; for I question the theory which makes it spring from “suck.” I am rather disposed to accept the story that at the beginning of this century, one of the men, who sold fruits and tarts at the wall, got nicknamedSOCKS, in consequence of his having discarded knee-breeches and stockings in favour of pants and short hose. The man’s nickname might then have spread to his business and to his wares by a process familiar to etymologists, tillSOCKINGcame to mean the purchase of good things not fromSOCKSonly, but from any other vendor.
1889.Buckland,Eton Fifty Years Ago[Macmillan’s Mag., Nov.]. “My governor hasSOCKEDme a book.”... A boy has also been heard to ask another toSOCKhim a construe of his lesson.
2. (Winchester).—To hit hard: especially at cricket. Also to beat; to defeat: as in a game.
Socker,subs.(general).—Association football.Cf.Rugger. AlsoSoccer.
1896.Tonbridgian, 339, 1124. Hartley has been playing very well this season, and has also become a great half-back atSOCKER.
1897.Felstedian, Nov., p. 194. InSOCCER, with old Blues up, we ought to be very strong.
Sodality,subs.(Stonyhurst).—Higher LineSodalityand Lower LineSodality= two confraternities of which boys are members; they meet at fixed times for devotions. A member is called aSodalist.
Sodger(orSojer),subs.(Winchester).—The Latin cross (aPERCHER,q.v.) marked against a Præfect’s name when absent.
1880.Music of a Merry Heart, 55. The books went up, and in due time were returned to us after examination, with the most startling faults indicated by a good big cross in the margin, which crosses, for some reason, were known asSODGERS.
Sodom,subs.(Oxford).—Wadham College.
Soft-ball,subs.(Royal Military Academy).—Tennis.
Sog,subs.(Charterhouse and Winchester).—Twenty shillings; a sovereign.
Solo,subs.(Winchester).—A solitary walk—without aSOCIUS(q.v.).
Soph,subs.(Cambridge).—A student of the second or third year; the distinctions are: A first year man =Freshman(q.v.); second year = JuniorSOPH; third year = SeniorSOPH.
1870.Goodrich[Webster,Unabridged, s.v.Sophomose]. This word has generally been considered an American barbarism, but it was probably introduced into our country at a very early period from the University of Cambridge, England. Among the cant terms at that University, as given in the “Gradus ad Cantabrigiam,” we findSOPH-MORas the next distinctive appellation to Freshman. It is added that a writer in theGentleman’s Magazinethinks Mor an abbreviation of the Greek μωρία, introduced at a time when the “Encomium Moriæ,” the “Praise of Folly,” by Erasmus, was so generally used. The ordinary derivation of the word, from σοφός and μωρός would seem, therefore, to be incorrect. The youngSOPHSat Cambridge appear formerly to have received the adjunct mor, μωρός, to their names, either as one they courted for the reason mentioned above, or as one given them in sport for the supposed exhibition of inflated feeling in entering upon their new honours. The term thus implied seems to have passed at a very early period from Cambridge in England to Cambridge in America, as the next distinctive appellation to Freshmen, and thus to have been attached to the second of the four classes in our American colleges, while it has now almost ceased to be known, even as a cant word, at the parent institution in England from whence it came.
Sorry,intj.(Winchester).—“I beg your pardon.” [Not now confined to Winchester.—Wrench.]
Soup-ticket,subs.(King Edward’s, Birm.).—A card issued to a boy set down for Saturday afternoon detention: aDETÉN(q.v.).
Spadge,subs.(Christ’s Hospital).—An affected walk. Also asverb.Formerly merely “to walk.” [Cf.Lat.spatiari; Ger.spatzieren.]
Spange,adj.(Royal Military Academy).—New; elegant; smart:e.g.“to lookSPANGE,” “aSPANGEuniform.”
Sparrow’s-hall,subs.(Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The old infirmary. [The head-bailiff was one Sparrow, and here the servants received their wages from him.]
Spec,subs.(Winchester).—Something enjoyable or pleasant; a good thing.On spec= in consequence.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Spec.... What aSPEC! My pitch-up have turned up, and I’ve got leave-outON SPEC.
Speecher,subs.(Harrow).—The speech-day: usually the first Thursday in July, when prizes are given. Greek, German, or French plays are acted, and there is also an afternoon concert.The speecher= the Speech-room, built in 1871.
Speedyman,subs.(Winchester: obsolete).—The messenger who brought the news of a vacancy at New College, Oxford. Whencesped to New College= elected to a scholarship.
Speg,adj.(Winchester: obsolete).—Smart.
Spending-house,subs.(Rugby).—A pastry-cook’s: the custom, until Dr. Arnold abolished it, had been for the boys to take their morning and evening buttery commons of bread and cold milk to one of these establishments, and with “extras,” such as tea, coffee, butter, &c., to obtain a more decent meal than was otherwise possible.
1890.Great Public Schools, p. 150. Every boy had aSPENDING-HOUSE, as it was called, at one of the confectioners’ in High Street, where he left his books, bat, fishing-rod, &c.—to save a journey to his boarding-house—and spent his spare cash. It was in the back-yards of these houses that dogs and guns were kept.
Spess,subs.(Felsted).—A specimen: a term of contempt.
1889.Felstedian, July, 66. Others ... calling out ... frightfulSPESSES, which word is in our language “specimens”; but as this is too long for their memories, they have shortened it.
Spin,verb(Royal Military Academy).—To reject: as to an examination; to pluck; to plough.
Spink,subs.(Royal Military Academy).—Milk: specifically, condensed milk.
Spinning-house,subs.(University).—The prison of the Vice-Chancellor’s court.
Spital Sermons(Christ’s Hospital).—Once the chief feature of the Easter festivities of this ancient foundation.SeeAppendix.
1834.Trollope,History of Christ’s Hospital[condensed and annotated by the editor ofThe Blue]. All Easter festivities connected with the School seem to be concentrated in theSPITAL SERMONS. The great antiquity of those discourses may be judged from the fact, that at the Easter following the foundation and opening of the School [1552], its members were present at St. Mary Spital. At this their first appearance at the Spital the boys appeared in that costume which, with the exception of the hats, still distinguishes them. A custom had long prevailed, according to which some learned person was appointed yearly by the Bishop of London to preach at Paul’s Cross on Good Friday on the Passion; and on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday following, three others were appointed in like manner to uphold the doctrine of the Resurrection, at the Pulpit Cross in the Spital. On the Sunday following, a fifth preached at Paul’s Cross, passed judgment on the merits of those who had preceded him, and concluded the ceremony with an appropriate exhortation from himself. What this passing of judgment meant, and what purpose it served, is rather hard to decide. It would almost seem as if some prize or reward were offered for the best sermon. TheSPITAL SERMONSare certainly the oldest institution of their kind in London, and probably in England. But they have naturally been subject to great changes. At first there were five, two at Paul’s Cross and three at St. Mary Spital. Many alterations followed; for instance, the Great Rebellion put an end for a time both to pulpit and sermons, until the Restoration, when they were revived, that is, the threeSPITAL SERMONSproper (for the judge disappears) at St. Bride’s Church, which still stands in Fleet Street. Nothing interrupted them again until 1797, when the preachers once more were removed to Christ’s Church, where theSERMONS, now only two in number, have been regularly delivered, until within the memory of many still in the school [1890] the Corporation reduced their number to a minimum; and now oneSPITAL SERMONinstead of five is listened to, not at St. Mary Spital, or Paul’s Cross, or St. Bride’s, but at Christ Church, Newgate Street. Though the scene has not changed since 1797, the accompanying ceremony has been sadly mutilated. In my [Mr. Trollope’s] time, instead of the subjects which were wont to be discussed from the Pulpit Cross of St. Mary Spital, discourses were delivered commemorative of the five Sister Hospitals of Christ’s Hospital, St. Thomas’, St. Bartholomew’s, Bridewell, and Bethlehem. This feature has almost entirely disappeared; the reverend preachers now pass by, or casually mention, the original reason for their presence in the handsome pulpit of Christ Church. “On each day the boys of Christ’s Hospital, with the legend ‘He is risen’ attached to their left shoulder, form part of the Civic procession; walking on the first day in the order of their schools, the King’s boys bearing their nautical instruments.” [These King’s boys are, of course, the Mathemats, who seem in earlier days, before the development of the Classical side, and the chances of a University career, to have been the most prominent part of the School.] They assembled on Monday in the Square of the Royal Exchange, and on their return were joined by the Lord Mayor and Civic procession, with the ladies. On Tuesday they proceeded direct to the Mansion House; each boy received a new sixpence, each monitor a shilling, and each Grecian half a guinea. [It appears that Alderman Thomson, whose portrait hangs in the Hall, whose name is engraven on the walls of the Hospital, and to whom we owe the Classical and Mathematical Medals, doubled the donation in every case, and his successors have not returned to the original amount.] The boys were again followed by the Civic authorities, without the ladies, to Christ Church, where a Junior Bishop preached on Monday, and a clergyman selected by the Lord Mayor (usually his chaplain) on Tuesday. But the most interesting feature of all was that on both occasions an anthem composed by one of the Grecians, and set to music by the organist, was sung by the children.
Spite,verb(Winchester).—To hate: to dislike.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 235. When a boy suffered some injury himself, in order to spite another person; or having in some way injured another, received punishment, he was said to beSPITING GABELL. Dr. Gabell was formerly Head-master, and the extreme inexpediency of attempting to annoy him gave rise to the proverb.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Spite.The word in Wykehamical usage generally connoted the frame of mind rather than the acts in which it finds expression. But the phrase “toSPITEGabell” describes the act popularly known as “cutting off your nose toSPITEyour face.”
Splice,verb(Winchester).—To throw; to fling: as a missile.
Sport,verb(Winchester).—To spread: as a baulk (or report); to wear: as clothes; to provide: as a feast; to indulge in: as smoking, walking, &c.—a general verb of action. WhenceSPORTING ACTION= an affected manner, gesture, or gait, or betrayal of emotion. [Sport(var. dial.) = to show, to exhibit.]
Sportings,subs.(Charterhouse).—Clothes worn at theExeat(q.v.).
1900.Tod,Charterhouse, p. 102. The splendour of Exeat garb defies description. It is enough to say that the Carthusian’s apparel then is as costly as his purse will buy, and that he calls itSPORTINGS.
Spree,adj.(Winchester).—(1) Conceited; stuck-up: of persons. (2) Smart; stylish; befitting a Wykehamist: of dress, &c. [Spree(Devon) = spruce, gay.]
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 72. At the end of the half year we used to have large entertainments called “SPREE MESSES,” between Toy-time and Chapel, consisting of tea, coffee, muffins, cakes, &c., the funds for which were generally provided by fines inflicted during Toy-time for talking loud, slamming the door, coming in without whistling (to show that it was not a Master entering), improper language, &c. &c. Sometimes aSPREE MESSwas given by the boys about to leave at the end of that Half.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Spree.... As applied to juniors, uppish; inclined to assume airs, or usurp privileges not belonging to juniors. As applied to acts, permissible only to prefects or those of senior standing.
Spreeman,subs.(Winchester).—A Junior who has to fag hard.
1891.Wrench,Winchester Word-Book, s.v.Spreeman. A Commoner Inferior, who, in consideration of his social status or long standing in the School, was invested by Præfects with privileges similar to those enjoyed by Candle-keepers in College.
Squab(orSquob),verb(King Edward’s, Birm.).—To squeeze by. [The foot is placed against a wall or desk, and the back against the victim, who is similarly treated from the opposite side by some one else, or pressed against a wall.] HenceSQUAB-UP= “push,” generally. [Squab(Devon) = to squeeze, to knock, to beat.]
Square.To square round,verb. phr.(Winchester).—To make room: as at a fire, &c.
Squash,subs.1. (Stonyhurst).—A mellay (at football) of the two sides round the goal-posts. A goal secured in this way is called a “squash-goal.” Also Harrow.
1876.Collins,The Public Schools[Harrow], p. 312. The gravel cut the leather case of the ball occasionally, as well as the hands and faces of those who scrambled over it in aSQUASH, as that closemêléeis called, which Rugby men know as a “scrummage,” and Etonians as a “rouge.”
1885.Stonyhurst Mag., i. 144. The second law on the Code enacts that “no one may push, pull, charge, or trip another player.” How then is aSQUASH GOALto be accounted for?
2. (Harrow).—A game of racquets not played with aHarder(q.v.), but with an indiarubber ball, which is also called aSQUASH.
Squashed-flies.SeeFlies.
Squeaky,adj.(Christ’s Hospital).—High-pitched: of the voice.Cf.Gruff.
1844.Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital[The Blue, Aug. 1874]. The voices, in our own peculiar phraseology, being divided into two classes—those who sangSQUEAKYand those who sangGRUFF. The monitors were constantly on the look-out for boys withSQUEAKYvoices, and did any youth make himself at all prominent in this respect, down upon him would pounce the monitor, forthwith totransposehim to the organ gallery, there to submit his musical abilities to a trial by the organist. The latter was an elderly gentleman, inclined at times to be rather irritable.
Squealer,subs.(Wellington).—A small boy.
Squirm(orSquirt),subs.(general).—An obnoxious boy.
Squish,subs.1. (general).—Marmalade.
2. (Winchester).—Weak tea.
Squo,adj.(Charterhouse).—Squash(q.v.); as inSQUO-court,SQUO-ball,SQUO-bat, &c.
Stally,adj.(Derby).—Strong [? stalwart].
Stamp,subs.(Harrow).—Every one is provided with a “school stamp”; the name is cut on it, and this must be printed on all books, &c. Above the Second Fifth boys keep their own stamp.
Stand.To stand out for College,verb. phr.(Westminster).—To enter for a King’s scholarship. Candidates must be under fifteen years of age, and have been in the school as a town boy for not less than a year preceding.
1867.Collins,The Public Schools, p. 182. Then if he thinks proper he “STANDS OUT FOR COLLEGE”—or, in the old Latin phraseology, becomes one of theminores candidati. He undergoes a very severe examination, called the “Challenge” [q.v.], the form of which must have been preserved from Queen Elizabeth’s days, and is the last surviving relic of the old scholastic disputations; those tournaments of Latin and logic, in which Queen Bess was wont to reward a successful champion with a purse of gold from her own virgin hand, and her successor, James, distributed liberally the more economical guerdon of royal applause and criticism.
Standing-up Week,subs. phr.(Winchester).—Seequot.
c.1840.Mansfield,School-Life at Winchester(1866), 235.Standing-up week—During the last week of Long Half all the boys, except Sixth Book and Senior Part, had to say a number of lines by heart in eight lessons, which they were supposed to have learned in the course of the previous year; this was calledSTANDING-UP. Marks were given according to merit, and these marks had a very material effect on the respective positions of the boys in their Parts.