*Beef Row*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, 247. The dinners themselves [_c._
1800-40] were fairly good, with the exception of the “boiled beef”
days, which were highly unpopular. The beef was probably good enough,
but it was cured with saltpetre, and the consequent redness was, in
the boys’ eyes, objectionable. Remonstrances had been made in vain;
and the result was something like a school rebellion, well remembered
as the BEEF ROW. By concerted arrangement, on one day the boys in
every hall rose from the table in a body, and left the masters and the
boiled beef in sole occupation. Butler was indignant; he came into
each of the halls after locking up, and demanded from the heads of the
school a public apology for the insult, giving them an hour for
consideration, and placing before them the alternative of immediate
dismissal. The boys held together, and, early the next morning the
whole of the Sixth Form, comprising no less than three who were to be
future heads of Colleges, were started by chaise or coach for their
respective homes. The rest of the boys declared themselves _en
revolte_; they would not go into school, and the masters walked about
the court alternately threatening and persuading. At last a gentleman
in the town, an old Shrewsbury boy, much respected, harangued the
rebels, and persuaded them to surrender. Some sort of concession seems
almost to have been made by a portion of the absent Sixth Form under
home influence, and the affair ended in the return of all the exiles.
*Beeswaxers*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Thick boots for football.
[Pronounced Bĕswaxers.]
*Behind*, _subs._ (Eton and Winchester).—A back at football.
At Eton SHORT BEHIND and LONG BEHIND: usually abbreviated
to “short” and “long.” At Winchester, SECOND BEHIND and
LAST BEHIND. These answer to the half-back and back of
Association football. At Winchester, in the Fifteens,
there is also a THIRD BEHIND.
UP BEHIND, _phr._ (The Leys).—Out of bounds: at back of
College.
*Behind one’s Side.* _See_ SIDE.
*Bejant*, _subs._ (Aberdeen).—A new student: one of the first or
lowest class. _See_ SEMI-BEJANTS, TERTIANS, and MAGISTRANDS.
*Belial*, _subs._ (Oxford).—Balliol College.
*Bells.* BELLS GO SINGLE, _phr._ (Winchester).—A single bell is
rung for five minutes before the hour at which chapel
commences. For College evening chapel three three’s are
rung, and then follows a “bell,” one for every man in
College—70. BELLS DOWN = _see_ quots.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 62. The
junior in chamber had a hard time of it; ... while endeavouring to get
through his multifarious duties, he had to keep a sharp ear on the
performance of the chapel bell, and to call out accordingly, “first
peal!” “second peal!” and BELLS DOWN!
1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, p. 256. At a quarter to six the peal again
rang out, and the cry of BELLS GO was sounded in shrill tones through
every chamber of College and Commoners.... After ten minutes the peal
changed, and only a single bell continued to ring. This was notified
by the cry BELLS GO SINGLE, and five minutes afterwards, by that of
“BELLS DOWN.”... Presently the head-master ... would descend from his
library: or the second master ... would appear at the archway near
Sixth Chamber, and the warning voice would be heard “Gabell,” or
“Williams through,” “Williams,” or “Ridding in.” Straightway there
would be a general rush, the college-boys darting across the
quadrangle in the rear of the Præfect of Chapel; while the Commoners
hurried in, keeping up a continuous stream from their more distant
quarters.
*Belly-hedge*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—An obstruction of
such a height that it can easily be cleared: of school
steeplechases. [That is, about belly high.]
*Belows*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ CAP (3).
*Bender*, _subs._ (common).—The bow-shaped segment of a kite.
1873. Dr. BLACKLEY, _Hay Fever_, p. 145. The first kite was six feet
in length by three feet in width, and was made of the usual form,
namely, with a central shaft or “standard,” and a semicircular top or
BENDER.
*Bene-book*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—_See_ quot.
1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, 131. Besides prizes, BENE-BOOKS are awarded
to the Sixth Forms on the following system: Every boy generally does
four classical exercises a week, viz., Greek and Latin prose, Greek
and Latin verse, and one mathematical exercise; these are marked,
according to their merit, B, b, sb, s, vs, m, M; that is to say, Big
bene, bene, satis bene, satis, vix satis, male, Big male.... A
BENE-BOOK (value 12s. 6d.) is earned by the winner of two BENES a week
throughout the quarter. There used to be a yet higher mark, _i.e._,
B†, or a WRITE-OUT, which counted four. A B† denoted that the
composition to which it was attached was worthy of being written out
in a book kept with a view to forming a new edition of “Sertum
Carthusianum.” There are many volumes of old WRITE-OUT books on the
shelves of the library, but for years no addition has been made to
them. The WRITE-OUT is quite obsolete.
*Bevers*, _subs._ (general).—An afternoon meal or refreshment;
a snack between meals. Whence (Winchester) BEVERS (or
BEVER-TIME) = an interval from 4.30 to 5 in afternoon
school, observed (says WRENCH) long after the distribution
of bread and beer had ceased on whole school-days. [_See_
BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER, i. 20; FORD, i. 392; FLORIO, in v.
_Merénda_; COOPER, in v. _Antecænium_; _Stanihurst’s
Descr. of Ireland_, p. 18; _Nomenclator_, p. 79; Sir JOHN
OLDCASTLE, p. 42; HOWELL, sect. 43; MIDDLETON’S _Works_,
iv. 427, v. 141.]
1580. _Lingua_ [DODSLEY, _Old Plays_ (REID, 1825), v. 148].
_Appetitus._ Your gallants never sup, breakfast, nor BEVER without me.
1585. _Nomenclator_, p. 79. A middaies meale: an undermeale: a boire
or BEAVER: a refreshing betwixt meales.
1597. HARRISON, _Desc. of England_. Of old we had breakfastes in the
forenoone, BEUARAGES or nuntions after dinner, and thereto reare
suppers, generallie when it was time to go to rest, a toie brought
into England by hardie Canutus; but nowe these are very well past, and
each one, except some young hungrie stomach, that cannot fast till
dinner-time, contenteth him self with dinner and supper.
1598. FLORIO, _Worlde of Wordes_, s.v. Merenda, Plauto. Propriè olim
prandium dicebatur quod meridie daretur. Nonius cibum qui post
meridiem sumitur interpretatur. ἑσπέρισμα. Le reciner.
1604. MARLOWE, _Dr. Faustus_. Thirty meals a day and ten BEVERS.
1607. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER, _Woman Hater_, i. 3. He is none of those
same ordinary eaters, that will devour three breakfasts, and as many
dinners, without any prejudice to their BEVERS, drinkings, or suppers.
1611. COTGRAVE, _Dict._, s.v. BEVER. An afternoon’s nuncheon.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 83. In
summer time we were let out of afternoon school for a short time about
4 P.M., when there was a slight refection of bread and cheese laid out
in Hall. It was called BEEVER-TIME, and the pieces of bread BEEVERS.
1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BEVER. An intermediate
refreshment between breakfast and dinner. The term is now applied to
the afternoon snack of harvest-men and other labourers, and perhaps
may be explained more correctly as any refreshment taken between the
regular meals. Sometimes refreshments of drink, or drinkings, were
called BEVERS; but potations were not BEVERS, as Mr. Dyce asserts.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Winchester], p. 23. School opened
again at two o’clock; at half-past three came an interval called
BEVER-TIME, when the boys had again bread and beer allowed them. 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.
1884. M. MORRIS, in _English Illustrated Magazine_, Nov., p. 73. [At
Eton, we] came up from cricket in the summer afternoons for BEAVER.
*Bible-Clerk*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A College Prefect in full
power, appointed for one week. Formerly (with OSTIARIUS,
_q.v._) he kept order in school, and assisted at floggings.
He now reads lessons in Chapel, and takes round ROLLS
(_q.v._). He is absolved from going up to BOOKS (_q.v._)
during his term of office. The Prefect of HALL need not act
as BIBLE-CLERK unless he likes, and the Prefect of School
may choose any week he pleases; the rest take weeks in
rotation, in the order of their Chambers in College.
15 [?]. CHRIS. JOHNSON [WRENCH]. In Testamento Veteri caput alter in
Aulâ Clarâ voce legit, qui BIBLIOCLERICUS inde Dicitur; hebdomadam
propriis habet ille Camænsis.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 103.
Order was kept during school hours by the BIBLE-CLERK and Ostiarius,
two of the Præfects, who held these offices in rotation—the former
lasting for a week, the latter for one day only. They paraded School
armed with sticks, and brought up to the Head and Second Masters (who
alone had the power of flogging) the names of the delinquents which
had been “ordered” for punishment; the names of the more heinous
offenders being confided to the BIBLE-CLERK, the others to the
Ostiarius.
1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BIBLE. A great book. (_A.-N._)
The term was constantly used without any reference to the Scriptures.
_Ibid._, s.v. BIBLE-CLERKSHIP. A very ancient scholarship in the
Universities, so called because the student who was promoted to that
office was enjoined to read the Bible at meal-times.
1864. _Blackwood’s Magazine_, XCV., p. 73. [At dinner] portions of
beef were served out to the boys ... the BIBLE-CLERK meanwhile reading
a chapter from the Old Testament. _Ibid._, p. 87. An hour ... is
expected to be employed in working under the superintendence of the
BIBLE-CLERK, as the Præfect in daily “course” is termed, who is
responsible for a decent amount of order and silence at these hours.
1878. ADAMS, _Wykehamica_, p. 59. There appears to have been no
regular BIBLE-CLERK.... From this it has been inferred that the
institution of these offices must have been subsequent, and (some
think) long subsequent, to the Founder’s time.
*Bibler.* _See_ BIBLING.
*Bibling* (or *Bibler*), _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A
flogging of six strokes. Hence BIBLING-ROD = the instrument
used in BIBLING: it consisted of a handle with four apple
twigs in the end twisted together. It was first used by
Warden Baker in 1454, and is represented in the _Aut Disce_.
BIBLING UNDER NAIL = a BIBLING administered for very heinous
offences after an offender had stood under NAIL (_q.v._).
1864. _Blackwood’s Magazine_, XCV., p. 79. Underneath is the place of
execution, where delinquents are BIBLED. _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 a BIBLING—on which
occasions the Bible-Clerk introduces the victim; four being the sum of
a less terrible operation called a “scrubbing.”
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 37. Underneath is the place of
execution, where delinquents are BIBLED; and near it is a socket for a
candle-sconce, known as the “nail,” under which any boy who has been
detected in any disgraceful fault—lying, &c.—is placed as in a sort of
pillory to await his punishment; a piece of ancient discipline for
which happily there is seldom occasion.
*Bicker*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A fray between the
boys of the school and the town boys, or KEELIES (_q.v._);
generally waged with the aid of stones (_cf._ GEORGE
BORROW’S _Lavengro_, ch. vii.; also SCOTT, _Redgauntlet_,
ch. i.). In the present Rector’s boyhood these school fights
were often waged with “Cowts,” made of a rope twisted firmly
into a thick end, with about four feet attached with which
to swing it.
... _Cursor Mundi_, MS. Coll. Trin. Cantab., f. 87. And for she loveth
me out of BIKER, Of my love she may be siker.
1581. RICHE, _Farewell to Militarie Profession_. My captaine, feelyng
suche a BICKERYNG within himself, the like whereof he had never
indured upon the sea, was like to bee taken prisoner aboard his owne
shippe.
1585. _Nomenclator._ Naturæ et morbi conflictus, Aurel. κρίσις. The
conflict or BICKERMENT of nature and sicknesse.
1823. NARES, _Glossary_, s.v. BICKERING and BICKERMENT. Skirmishing.
1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BICKER. To fight; to quarrel;
to act with hostility. _Ibid._, BICKERMENT. Conflict. _Ibid._, s.v.
BIKERE. To skirmish; to fight; to quarrel. Also a substantive, a
quarrel. (_A.-S._) _Cf._ _Leg. Wom._, 2650; _Piers Ploughman_, p. 429;
MINOT’S _Poems_, p. 51; _Arthour and Merlin_, p. 206.
*Biddy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A bath in College. [Fr. _bidet_.]
*Big*, _adj._ (Harrow).—Upwards of sixteen years of age; as
“only able to go in for BIG sports.” _See_ SMALL.
*Big-game*, _subs._ (Harrow: obsolete).—The chief football game.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 312. There is now a spacious
piece of ground kept for the especial purpose, where as many as six
separate games can be played at once, besides four smaller grounds
belonging to different houses. The BIG-GAME, in which only the _élite_
of the school players take part, is managed by the monitors under very
stringent regulations. [Now called Sixth Form game.—ED.]
*Big-school*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—The room in which
the school assembles for prayers, or on any occasion when it
is addressed as a whole by the Head Master. The room is also
used for teaching, though not so entirely so as twenty-five
years ago.
*Big-side*, _subs._ (Rugby and elsewhere).—The combination of
all the bigger fellows in the school in one and the same
game or run. Also the ground specially used for the game so
denominated. Hence BIG-SIDE run = a paper-chase, in which
picked representatives of all Houses take part, as opposed
to a House run. _See_ LITTLE-SIDE.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, vii. “Well, I’m going to have
a try,” said Tadpole; “it’s the last run of the half, and if a fellow
gets in at the end, BIG-SIDE stands ale and bread and cheese and a
bowl of punch; and the Cock’s such a famous place for ale.”
*Bill*, _subs._ 1. (Eton).—A list of the boys who go to the Head
Master at 12 o’clock; also of those who get off ABSENCE
(_q.v._): _e.g._ an eleven playing in a match are thus
exempt. _See_ Appendix.
c. 1850. BRODRICK, _Memories and Impressions_. ... It is credibly
reported of Mr. Cookesley—who, in spite of a tendency to buffoonery,
was an inspiring teacher—that he addressed a remarkably stupid boy in
the following terms: “I tell you what it is, sir, if you ever show me
up a copy of your own verses again, I’ll put you in the BILL” (an
Etonian euphemism for a capital punishment). “Why, a great strong
fellow like you can have no difficulty in getting a decent copy of
verses written for him, and if you ever again bring me one of your own
concoction I’ll have you flogged.”
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 100. Bagshawe even went so far
as to rebuke one of the monitors for rising in Mr. James’ presence;
and when told that it was by Mr. Busby’s order, desired him to write
that down on his BILL; a proceeding equivalent, as Mr. Busby declared,
and as Westminster and Eton men will perhaps agree, to ordering the
head-master up for corporal punishment.
1876. BRINSLEY RICHARDS, _Seven Years at Eton_. Some of the small boys
whom this delightful youth tempted to ape his habits, had often
occasion to rue it when they staggered back to College giddy and sick,
carrying with them a perfume which told its tale to their tutors, and
caused them to be put in the BILL.
2. (Harrow).—The “call-over” of the whole school on
half-holidays; at 4 P.M. in summer, at 4.15 P.M. in other
terms. Whence BILL-BOOK = the book—the list of the school in
order of forms—from which BILL is called; BILL-ORDER = the
order of the school as in the BILL-BOOK; BILL-MONITOR = a
member of the “First Fourth” who is in charge of the paper
on which monitors sign their names during BILL. Also used at
Westminster.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 284. His pupils were chiefly
boys of rank, and during Thackeray’s time had been exempted from
appearing at BILLS. Sumner stopped this privilege, to the great
disgust of Dr. Glasse and some of his aristocratic friends. Earl
Radnor even threatened to “ruin the school” if Sumner refused to give
way; but the new head-master was firm. Lord Dartmoor, on the other
hand, supported him, and removed his sons into his House from
Glasse’s, who was beaten in the struggle, and left Harrow. _Ibid._,
293. At the time of his appointment he was only twenty-six, but his
reputation as a scholar stood very high. It is enough to say that
under his rule Harrow has increased in numbers, and certainly not lost
in reputation. The last BILL-BOOK contains 492 names.
1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 446. The uniformity of daily life
at Harrow was interrupted by a pleasant interlude not long ago. The
Chinese Ambassador paid a visit to the school. His Excellency made an
inspection of the school buildings, and was finally cheered at BILL.
*Bill-brighter*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A small fagot used for
lighting coal fires in kitchen. [From a servant, Bill
Bright, who was living in 1830.]
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 89. The
Kitchen is a spacious apartment with a vaulted roof, occupying the
entire height of the building on the west side of the quadrangle, and
at least half its length; here we might see a few Fags endeavouring to
coax Jem Sims, John Coward, or Mother Mariner (the cooks) for an extra
supply of mashed potatoes, till Kitchen is cleared by the exasperated
Manciple, who has just detected a delinquent in the act of secreting
under his gown an armful of the small faggots used for lighting the
Kitchen fires (called BILL BRIGHTERS), an opportunity for purloining
which was never allowed to slip by a Junior of a properly regulated
mind.
*Bim* (or *Bimb*), _verb_ (Tonbridge).—To cane. Hence BIMB-STICK
= a cane.
*Binge*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A drinking-bout. [_Binger_ (Linc.) =
tipsy.]
*Birch-broom Race*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester).—_See_ TORCH-RACE.
*Birch-room*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 178. Behind is the “French
room,” once known as the BIRCH-ROOM (in which those useful implements
were manufactured and used), where a bench is carefully preserved
bearing the name of “John Dryden,” no doubt cut by the poet himself,
as the style of the letters corresponds with his date.
*Bird*, _subs._ (Durham).—A credulous boy; one easily cajoled; a
“soft.”
*Bishop*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The sapling with which a fagot
is bound together.
*Bite*, _intj._ (Charterhouse and Christ’s Hospital).—_Cave!_
*Black*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A nickname.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, I. vi. “There’s plenty of
youngsters don’t care about it,” said Walker. “Here, here’s Scud
East—you’ll be tossed, won’t you, young un?” Scud was East’s nickname,
or BLACK, as we called it, gained by his fleetness of foot.
*Black Book, The* (Charterhouse).—_See_ EXTRA.
*Black-hole*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 241. There used to be a small
four-square apartment, not much larger than a Punch-and-Judy box,
lighted by a single narrow loop-hole—a receptacle for the
flogging-block and other like apparatus. This was known as the
BLACK-HOLE, or sometimes more familiarly as “Rome’s Hole,” from a
traditionary culprit who had been a very regular occupant.
*Black-jack*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A large leathern beer jug
used in College. It holds two gallons. In olden times
BLACK-JACKS were in common use for small beer. [_See_ UNTON,
_Inventories_, p. 1; BRAND’S _Pop. Antiq._, ii. 206; _Ord.
and Reg._, p. 392; HEYWOOD’S _Edward IV._, p. 97. Also JACK:
whence (Christ’s Hospital) JACK-BOY = a boy servitor of
beer.]
15—. _Simon the Cellarer._ But oh, oh, oh! his nose doth show, How oft
the BLACK-JACK to his lips doth go.
1592. NASHE, _Summer’s Last Will_ [DODSLEY, _Old Plays_ (1874), viii.
59]. Rise up, Sir Robert Toss-pot. [_Here he dubs Will Summer with
the_ BLACK-JACK.]
1606. _Return from Parnassus_ [DODSLEY, _Old Plays_ (1874), ix. 207].
A BLACK-JACK of beer and a Christmas pie.
1630. TAYLOR, _Works_, i. 113. Nor of BLACK-JACKS at gentle buttery
bars, Whose liquor oftentimes breeds household wars.
1690. B. E., _Dict. Cant. Crew_, s.v. JACK.
18[?]. T. WARTON, “The Happy Junior of Sixth Chamber.” Yet still with
pleasure shall we think on The Junior’s happy life at Winton ...
lozenges and snacks ... dispars, gomers, JACKS.
_c._ 1844. _Reminiscences of Christ’s Hospital_ (_The Blue_, Aug.
1874). By mistake the Cask was found to contain a fine old ale. The
news soon spread from boy to boy and from ward to ward; and there was
an extraordinary call upon the services of the JACK-BOYS, whose utmost
exertions were scarcely equal to the demand. As might be expected,
these latter took care of themselves upon the occasion.
*Black-sheep*, _verb_ (Winchester: obsolete).—To get above (or
“jockey”) a fellow in Middle Part: of men in Junior Part.
*Black Tiger, The* (Rugby).—A nickname given to Dr. Ingles,
head-master from 1793 to 1803.
*Blandyke* (Stonyhurst).—The monthly recreation day. [From the
village of Blandyke (now Blandecques), a league from St.
Omers, where was a country house or villa at which such days
were spent during the summer months.] _See_ Appendix.
*Blazer*, _subs._ (originally Cambridge: now general).—A light
jacket of bright colour. Originally applied to the bright
red uniform of the Lady Margaret Boat Club of St. John’s
College, Cambridge. [Prof. SKEAT (_N. and Q._, 7 S., iii.
436), speaking of the Johnian BLAZER, says it was always of
the most brilliant scarlet, and thinks it not improbable
that the fact suggested the name which subsequently became
general.]
1880. _Times_, June 19. Men in spotless flannel, and club BLAZERS.
1885. _Punch_, June 27, p. 304. Harkaway turns up clad in what he
calls a BLAZER, which makes him look like a nigger minstrel out for a
holiday.
1889. _Daily News_, Aug. 22, p. 6, col. 6. DRESS BY THE SEA. SIR,—In
your article of to-day, under the above heading, you speak of “a
striped red and black BLAZER,” “the BLAZER,” also of “the pale toned”
ones. This is worth noting as a case of the specific becoming the
generic. A BLAZER is the red flannel boating jacket worn by the Lady
Margaret, St. John’s College, Cambridge, Boat Club. When I was at
Cambridge it meant that and nothing else. It seems from your article
that a BLAZER now means a coloured flannel jacket, whether for
cricket, tennis, boating, or seaside wear.—Yours faithfully, WALTER
WREN.
1897. _Felstedian_, June, p. 99. The new football BLAZER is very
handsome.
*Bleed*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—One who is remarkably good at
anything.
*Bleyis-sylver* (or *Bent-sylver*), _subs._ (Royal High School,
Edin.).—A gratuity given in olden times by pupils to
masters. He who gave most was proclaimed “_victor_” or
“king.” [BLEYIS is derived from _bleis_ = a torch or blaze
(mod. Scot. _bleeze_). BLEYIS-SYLVER = silver given at
Candlemas on the time of the bleeze. Dr. Jamieson (_Dict._)
suggests _bent_ = Fr. _benit_, _i.e._ blessed, because money
was given on a Saint’s day. Dr. STEVENS, the school
historian, suggests _bent_ = coarse grass. In sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries pupils had leave to go and cut this
coarse grass to strew on floor of school. Afterwards annual
holidays were instituted on first Mondays of May, June, and
July, when a money payment was made to the master to
purchase “bent.” (_Cf._ STEVENS’ _Hist. of High School_, p.
678.) This is more probable.]
*Block, The* (Eton).—A wooden step in the library of the Upper
School upon which a boy set down for flogging kneels. He is
“held down” by two junior Collegers, and the Sixth Form
Preposter hands to the head-master the necessary birch or
birches.
*Blockhouse*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A sick-house.
*Bloody Porch* (Harrow: obsolete).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 320. Harrow fagging had no
special reputation for cruelty; yet there are those living who can
remember having been called out of their beds at night to have cold
water poured down their backs—for no special reason, but as a part of
the hardening process considered good for fags generally; or to start
from Leith’s boarding-house in the dark, to go round the church-yard
by the north porch—BLOODY PORCH, as it was called, from some obscure
legend. Once a boy was sent upon this dreaded tour at night, when it
so happened that there were a party concealed in the porch, watching
the grave of a newly-buried relative—for these were the days of
resurrection-men; they mistook the unfortunate fag for a
body-snatcher, and fired at him, wounding him slightly, and
frightening him almost to death.
*Blotch*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Blotting-paper.
*Blow*, _subs._ (old University).—A drunken frolic; a spree.
[_Blowboll_ = a drunkard: _cf._ SKELTON (_Works_, i. 23),
“Thou blynkerd blowboll, thou wakyst too late.”]
_Verb_ (Winchester).—To blush. _Cf._ BLUE = to blush, as in
quot. 1709.
14[?]. _Torrent of Portugal_, 11. His browys began to BLOWE.
1645. HABINGTON, _Works_. Th’enamoured spring by kissing BLOWS soft
blushes on her cheek.
1709. STEELE and SWIFT, _Tatler_, No. 71, p. 8. If a Virgin blushes,
we no longer cry she BLUES.
*Blucher*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete: _ch_ hard).—A College
præfect in half power. His jurisdiction did not extend
beyond “Seventh Chamber passage,” though his privileges were
the same as those of other præfects. These were eight in
number.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 30. The
eight senior præfects were said to have “full power,” and had some
slight privileges not enjoyed by the remaining ten, who were generally
called BLUCHERS.
1864. _Blackwood_, p. 86. The remaining eight college præfects (called
in Winchester tongue, BLUCHERS) have a more limited authority,
confined to Chambers and the Quadrangle.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 55. The remaining eight
college prefects (called in Winchester tongue BLUCHERS) have a more
limited authority, confined to chambers and the quadrangle; the form
of making these is—“_Præficio te sociis concameralibus_.” At least two
prefects are located in each of the seven chambers—one from the first
seven in rank, and one from the next seven. The juniors are also
divided into ranks of seven, and out of each rank the prefects,
according to their seniority, chose one each to fill up the numbers in
their own chamber; so that each chamber has, to a certain extent, ties
and associations of its own.
*Blue*, _subs._ 1. (Christ’s Hospital).—A scholar of Christ’s
Hospital; a blue-coat boy. [Derived from the colour of the
clothes—a blue drugget gown or body with ample skirts to it,
a yellow vest underneath in winter time, small-clothes of
Russia duck, worsted yellow stockings, a leathern girdle,
and a little black worsted cap, usually carried in the hand,
being the complete costume. This was the ordinary dress of
children in humble life during the reigns of the Tudors.]
_See_ Appendix.
1834. W. TROLLOPE (_Title_), Christ’s Hospital ... with Memoirs of
Eminent BLUES. _Ibid._ At the Spital did they first earn the title of
BLUE by appearing in raiment of that hue. Hitherto they had worn
russet cotton. The bands are supposed to be a relic of the ruff, as
the girdle was of the hempen cord. The ruff was regal, or reginal, and
the cord monkish, so a BLUE hovers ’twixt palace and monastery (one
picture pourtrays the dresses of the various Orders of Friars).
1877. W. H. BLANCH, _Blue-Coat Boys_, p. 33. To some extent it holds
also with regard to Civil Engineers, amongst whom, however, one
well-known name is that of a BLUE.
1895. _Gleanings from “The Blue”_ Dedication. To all BLUES Past and
Present this Book is dedicated.
2. (University).—A member of the Universities of Oxford or
Cambridge. [The colours for inter-University sports are dark
and light blue respectively.]
TO GET ONE’S BLUE, _verb. phr._ (University).—To be selected
as a competitor in inter-University sports: _cf._ “to get
silk” (of Q.C.’s). [From the University colours.]
1899. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Feb., p. 194. The expression “to get a BLUE”
is a phrase which is universally recognised as applying to the
athletics and games of the sister Universities, Oxford and Cambridge,
and to them only. As an ardent Oxford man I do not appreciate his
compliment; as an old Stonyhurst boy, I cannot but deplore his
servility.
*Blue-book*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A school register (alphabetically
arranged) comprising name, form, house, tutor, age, term of
coming, prizes, and honours.
*Bluer*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A blue flannel coat: worn by all
going to FOOTER (_q.v._) in winter, and cricket in summer.
*B. N. C.*, _subs._ (Oxford).—The popular abbreviation of
Brasenose College.
1885. _Daily News_, March 13, p. 5, col. 1. As when Corpus bumped B.
N. C. years ago, and went head of the river, whereon a spirit of wrath
entered into the B. N. C. men, and next night they bumped Corpus back
again.
*Board.* TO KEEP ONE’S NAME ON THE BOARD, _verb. phr._
(Cambridge).—To remain a member of a College.
*Boat* (The Leys).—A shallow valley, in which football is
played.
PROCESSION OF BOATS (Eton).—_See_ FOURTH OF JUNE.
TO SIT A BOAT, _verb. phr._ (Eton).—_See_ quot., and FOURTH
OF JUNE. [Long since abandoned.]
1865. _Etoniana_, p. 170. The time-honoured custom of SITTING A BOAT
must here claim mention. Some old Etonian, of generous and festive
disposition (generally an old “oar”), signifies to the captain of a
boat his intention of presenting the crew with a certain quantity of
champagne. In return he is entitled to be rowed up to Surly in the
boat to which he presents the wine; he occupies the coxswain’s seat,
who kneels or stands behind him. This giver of good things is called,
from this circumstance, a “sitter”; and the question, “Who SITS YOUR
BOAT?” or, “Have you a sitter?” is one of some interest, which may
often be heard addressed to a captain. The seat of honour in the
ten-oar is usually offered to some distinguished old Etonian. Mr.
Canning occupied it in 1824.
*Bob*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A large white beer-jug, about a
gallon in capacity.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 85. Each
end and præfect’s mess had their beer served up in a large white jug,
or BOB. The vessel used for the same purpose in Commoners’ was called
a “Joram.”
1888. T. A. TROLLOPE, _What I Remember_. Only those “Juniors” attended
whose office it was to bring away the portions of bread and cheese and
BOBS of beer for consumption in the afternoon.
_See_ DRY-BOB; WET-BOB.
*Bod*, _subs._ (Oxford).—The Bodleian Library; also Bodley.
*Bodeites* (Charterhouse).—_See_ OUT-HOUSES.
*Bodleian, The* (Oxford).—A famous library, popularly known as
the Bodley, founded by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester,
1445-80. Despoiled in 1550 and again in 1556, it was
restored and added to in 1598 by Sir Thomas Bodley. It now
contains some 600,000 volumes, and is especially rich in
manuscripts (some 30,000 volumes) and other literary
treasures. James Russell Lowell, the distinguished American,
says of this famous library: “Directly we enter, we are
struck by the stillness and solemnity that reign around,
helped by the dim light, the windows with painted glass, the
ponderous shelves, the illuminated missals, the graduates or
attendants conversing in low whispers or moving quietly
about. For reading purposes the library is as free and as
good as the library of the British Museum; with the
advantages that you may be seated in front of a window
commanding a beautiful garden prospect, that your arm-chair
is not disturbed, that books are allowed to accumulate
around you, and that you are not obliged to return them to
the care of the custodian on leaving the library. The
visitor will not fail to notice the portraits in the upper
library, and especially to cast a grateful look at the fine
portrait of Bodley. He will see the exercise-books used by
Edward VI. and Elizabeth when children, and, close by, the
autographs of distinguished visitors.”
*Boiler*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A plain coffee-pot used for
heating water—fourpenny and sixpenny boilers, not from their
price, but from the quantity of milk they held. το παν
BOILERS = large tin saucepan-like vessels in which water for
a BIDDY (_q.v._) was heated.
*Bolly*, _subs._ (Marlborough).—Pudding.
*Bom*, _subs._ (The Leys).—A servant; a waiter. [A waiter was
once dubbed “a vile abomination”; whence the contractions
“vile bom” and “BOM.”]
*Bond Street* (Stonyhurst).—A walk along one side of the
playground. Once obsolete but now restored, being applied to
another walk.
*Boner*, _subs._ (general).—A sharp blow on the spine.
*Bonner*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A bonfire.
*Bonnet.* TO HOLD THE BONNETS, _verb. phr._ (Royal High School,
Edin.: obsolete).—To hold the bonnet or handkerchief used to
divide High School boys when fighting.
*Bonnet-fire*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—The
process otherwise known as “running the gauntlet.”
1812. JAMIESON, _Dict. Scottish Language_, s.v.
*Book*, _verb_ (Westminster).—_See_ PANCAKE, and quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 172. They also claim a right
to BOOK the performer (_i.e._ hurl a shower of books at him) if he
fails more than once. This right was liberally exercised in 1865, when
the wrath of the school had culminated owing to repeated failures in
that and the previous year. The exasperated cook replied to the attack
with his only available missile—the frying-pan—and a serious row was
the consequence.
*Books*, _subs._ (Winchester).—1. The prizes formerly presented
by Lord Say and Sele, now given by the governing body, to
the “Senior” in each division at the end of “Half.” 2. The
school is thus divided:—SIXTH BOOK—Senior and Junior
Division; the whole of the rest of the School (but _see_
quotations), is in FIFTH BOOK—Senior Part, Middle Part,
Junior Part, each part being divided into so many divisions,
Senior, Middle, and Junior, or Senior, 2nd, 3rd, and Junior,
as the case may require. Formerly there was also “FOURTH
BOOK,” but it ceased to exist about the middle of the
Sixties.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 104. The
school was divided into three classes, or BOOKS, as they were called.
Of these, the Præfects formed one, SIXTH BOOK; FIFTH BOOK was
subdivided into three parts, called respectively “Senior, Middle, and
Junior part of the Fifth”; in speaking of them, the words “of the
Fifth” were generally omitted. The rest of the boys made up “Fourth
Book.”
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 24. The tiers of stone seats,
which may still be noticed in the deep recesses of the windows, were
the places in which the prefects sat when the boys were arranged in
their respective BOOKS; the term still used at Winchester for what in
other schools would be called “forms” or “classes.” There were then,
as now, four BOOKS only, though the highest was and is numbered as the
“sixth.” Then followed the fifth, fourth, and second fourth. The work
of the sixth BOOK comprised Homer, Hesiod, Virgil, Cicero, Martial,
and “Robinson’s Rhetoric.” _Ibid._, 36. Ninety feet long and
thirty-six in breadth, it is sufficiently spacious to allow all the
BOOKS to be assembled there without more confusion than is inseparable
from the system of teaching so many distinct classes in a single
room—an arrangement peculiar to Winchester alone amongst our large
Public Schools.
1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. BOOKS. The name of the
Classes into which the School is divided. The VI^{th}, V^{th}, and
II^{nd} only remain. From _Liber_ in the sense of _Roll_ probably.
UP TO BOOKS.—In class; repeating lessons; formerly UP AT
BOOKS.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 101. At
each end of school are three tiers of benches rising gradually one
above the other,—that on the ground being called “Senior Row,” and the
others “Middle” and “Junior Row” respectively. On these the Classes
sit when UP AT BOOKS, _i.e._ when repeating lessons.
1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. BOOK. This word was formerly
used for any composition, from a volume to a single sheet,
particularly where a list is spoken of. See the _State Papers_, i.
402.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 37. Three tiers of fixed seats
rise against the wainscotted walls on the east and west, where the
boys are arranged when UP TO BOOKS, the chairs of the different
masters being in front of each.
1872. WALCOTT, _Traditions and Customs of Cathedrals_, “Statutes of
Chichester Cathedral.” Four wax candles are always distributed at the
end of Lauds, at the four uppermost BOOKS, to the Senior set of the
BOOKS, to find the lights to the same BOOKS for that time. [Note to
foregoing:—At Winchester College the Forms are still called BOOKS.]