It has been a matter of note and, maybe, of surprise that no attempt
has hitherto been made to gather in one volume the numerous Words,
Phrases, and Turns of Expression peculiar to OUR GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Bare lists of a dozen or more examples may be found in certain (mostly
out-of-date) Records and Histories; but taking the Schools
individually, only in one instance—Winchester—has there been anything
but the most perfunctory attention given to the subject; and in no
case has the question received that analytical, scientific
treatment—historically and comparatively—which has proved so
invaluable in the “Oxford Dictionary” and in “Slang and its
Analogues.”
It would, however, seem almost necessary to emphasise the fact that this
Word-Book is not, _per se_, a dictionary of school slang. On the
contrary, it is far more than that. For, though such colloquialisms as
are _peculiar_ to Public School life are naturally and rightly included,
yet by far the larger number of the examples here set down do not, by
any accepted method of classification, fall within that category. I am
led to make this clear at the outset by reason of a somewhat curious,
but altogether erroneous idea that the present book was to be a mere
reprint of extracts from the larger work on which, for many years, I
have been engaged. That is not so.
Nor, moreover, do these words and phrases appear, save in very few
instances, in any other work—not even in so admirably complete a
dictionary, in other respects, as “The Century,” while the monumental
Oxford undertaking will not be available, as a complete authority, for
many years to come.
Having thus stated what this work is _not_, it seems borne on me to
explain, anew, what it _is_, or rather, what has been my method. Briefly
put, my idea has been to collect such words, phrases, names, and
allusions to customs as now are, or have been, _peculiar_ to English
Public School life, and to apply to their definition and elucidation
what is known as the “historical” method, illustrating such examples as
lent themselves to it by quotations from old and present-day writers.
The Public Schools with which I have been concerned, arranged
chronologically in order of foundation or charter, are as follows:—
1160 Derby. │1564 Felsted.
1387 Winchester. │1567 Rugby.
1441 Eton. │1571 Harrow.
1515 Manchester Grammar. │1592 Stonyhurst.
1538 Royal High School, Edin. │1611 Charterhouse.
1541 Durham Grammar. │1619 Dulwich.
1550 Sherborne. │1830 Loretto.
1551 Shrewsbury. │1841 Cheltenham.
1552 Christ’s Hospital. │1843 Marlborough.
1552 King Edward’s. │1848 Lancing.
1553 Tonbridge. │1859 Wellington.
1560 Westminster. │1875 The Leys.
Also the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham,
Aberdeen, Dublin, &c.
How far I have been successful in my task I leave others to judge. I
must confess, however, that the extent and wealth of this special field
of inquiry has somewhat astonished me: yet I fear my lists are, in some
cases, still incomplete. But, even so, this contribution towards a more
perfect glossary will, I think, be a revelation to many.
No wonder our Mother-tongue is so vigorous, adaptable, and
expansive—reaching out in its creative energy to all the forms and
necessities of modern life—when even Young England shows such aptitude
in coining new expressions, and adapting older forms to its
ever-changing (and, shall I say, ever-increasing) needs. Studied
comparatively, there will be found much significance, not alone in the
survivals from past generations, but also in the relatively newer
phraseology. Many an interesting side-light, too, is thrown on ancient
school customs and usages.
Though primarily addressing myself to past schoolmen, it is not without
a hope that the general student and scholar, as well as those still _in
statu pupillari_, will find something of use and to interest.
Finally, I desire, though holding myself alone responsible for aught
that is solecismal in these pages, to acknowledge my indebtedness to
those who have afforded me such unstinted aid in compiling this work.
Especially are my thanks due to Mr. P. K. Tollit (Derby); Mr. W.
Durnford (Eton); Mr. R. D. Hodgson (Manchester Grammar); Mr. C. A. Ross
(Royal High School, Edin.); Rev. A. E. Hillard (Durham); Mr. W. B.
Wildman (Sherborne); Rev. J. F. Cornish (Christ’s Hospital); Rev. E. W.
Badger (King Edward’s, Birm.); Mr. C. H. Crofts (Tonbridge); Rev. E.
Gepp (Felsted); Mr. G. Townsend Warner (Harrow); the Rev. Fathers Gerard
and Browne and Rev. A. Goodier (Stonyhurst); Dr. H. H. Almond (Loretto);
Mr. J. F. L. Hardy (Marlborough); Mr. J. C. Isard (The Leys).