1877. BLANCH, _Blue-Coat Boys_, p. 80. All CRUGS will well remember,
&c.
*Cruganaler*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A biscuit given on
St. Matthew’s Day. [Orthography dubious. Blanch inclines to
the following derivation: “The biscuit had once something to
do with those nights when bread and beer, with cheese, were
substituted for bread-and-butter and milk. Thence the
term ‘crug and aler.’ The only argument against this is
the fact that the liquid was never dignified with the
name of ale, but was invariably called ‘the swipes.’ By
another derivation = ‘hard as nails.’ It is then spelt
CRUGGYNAILER.”] Obsolete.
*Cruggy*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Hungry. [From CRUG
(_q.v._).]
*Crump*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A hard hit; a fall. Also as
_verb_.
*Cud*, _adj._ 1. (Winchester).—Pretty; handsome. [A suggested
derivation is from κυδος; another is the A.S. _cuð_, the
Scots _couthie_, and whence _cuðle_, to cuddle (a derivative
of _cuð_), the meaning formerly given to a verbal usage of
CUD at Winchester.]
2. (Christ’s Hospital).—Severe. Whence CUDDY = hard:
difficult; said of a lesson. Also _Hertfordicé_ for
PASSY (_q.v._). [There is a common hard biscuit called a
“cuddy-biscuit” which doubtless has this derivation.]
Obsolete.
*Culminate*, _verb_ (University: obsolete).—To mount a
coach-box.
1803. _Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_, s.v.
*Cup-fag*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A boy whose duty it is to
place the challenge cups, should his House have any, in
their cases each morning, and remove them to a safe place
every night. He has also to keep them clean, and for neglect
of any of these duties he is fined. He receives a quarterly
payment for his services, and is exempt from other forms of
fagging.
*Curtain.* ABOVE THE CURTAIN, _phr._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 108. A curtain formerly was
drawn across the school, dividing the upper forms from the lower. One
day a boy was so unlucky as to tear it; and Busby’s known severity
left no doubt of the punishment that would follow. The offender was in
despair, when a generous schoolfellow volunteered to take the blame
upon himself and suffered in his friend’s stead accordingly.... In
three year’s time he was sufficiently advanced to be admitted by Busby
ABOVE THE CURTAIN—that is, into the fourth class, the lowest in the
upper school. Of this class, however, he says the head-master “took
little or no care,” but as he rose into the higher forms he found the
teaching more satisfactory.
*Cuse*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A book in which a record is kept
of the “marks” in each division; a CLASSICUS PAPER (_q.v._):
also used for the weekly order.
*Custos*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The official who looks after all
arrangements in the way of stationery, &c., keeps the keys,
cuts names on the House-boards, &c.
Also _see_ ADMONISHING-MONEY.
*Cut*, _verb_ (general).—To avoid; to absent oneself from:
_e.g._ TO CUT LECTURE, TO CUT CHAPEL, TO CUT HALL, TO CUT
GATES. _See_ Appendix.
TO CUT INTO, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—Originally to hit
one with a “ground ash.” The office was exercised by
Bible-clerks upon a man kicking up a row when up to Books.
Now generally used in the sense of to correct in a less
formal manner than TUNDING (_q.v._).
TO CUT IN A BOOK, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866). CUT IN A
BOOK.—A method of drawing lots. A certain letter was fixed on (_e.g._
the first in the second line on the left page), each boy then turned
over a leaf, and whoever turned over the leaf in which the
corresponding letter was nearest to A, won.
*Cuts*, _subs._ (general).—Flannel trousers; SHORTS (_q.v._).
*Dab*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The entrance examination: held at the
beginning of term.
To be a DAB = to be skilled at anything. Hence, the two
entrance examinations, one at the end of term, and the other
at the very beginning of the next, are the SKEW (_q.v._) and
the DAB respectively. The DAB offers no second chance; hence
a bad candidate tries the “skew” first.
*Dame*, _subs._ (Eton).—A mathematical or other master (except a
classical) who keeps a boarding-house for boys in College.
Also (obsolete) at Harrow. _See_ Appendix, and quot. 1867.
1786-1805. TOOKE, _Parley_, 390, s.v. BATTEL. A term used at Eton for
the small portion of food which in addition to the College allowance
the Collegers receive from their DAMES.
1865. _Etoniana_, 133. Formerly these [boarding] houses were almost
entirely kept by “DAMES” or “Dominies”—the latter being the old style
when there was a male head of the establishment, though now the term
“DAMES” applies to all without reference to sex. Tutors and
assistant-masters used to live in most of these houses, but had no
charge over the boys. Only the lower master and some of the senior
assistant-masters kept houses of their own. There are now twenty
boarding-houses kept by masters, and ten by “DAMES”—of whom four only
are ladies.
1866-72. “MAC,” _Sketchy Memories of Eton_ (1885). I am thankful to
say that I did not attend the show. But I happened to see the World
conducted back to his DAME’S, and the spectacle was gruesome. The
punishment inflicted had been very considerable, and I do not think
the World appeared in public for quite a fortnight.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Harrow], p. 293. All these
[sixteen boarding-houses other than the head-master’s] are kept by
assistant-masters, and form one considerable source of their income.
No DAMES’ boarding-houses are now sanctioned; and for the good order
of his establishment each master is responsible.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, 16. Until recently some of the
boarding-houses were kept by assistant-masters, the remainder by
“dominies” or “DAMES,” who took no part in the work of education, and
had little or no disciplinary jurisdiction. The boys, therefore, who
boarded in DAMES’ houses had as their tutors assistant-masters
residing elsewhere. Now, although there remains only one female DAME,
the teachers of mathematics, science, and French are for some purposes
accounted DAMES.
*Damnation-corner*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot., and
DAMNATION-HILL (Appendix).
1866-72. “MAC,” _Sketchy Memories of Eton_ (1885). Meanwhile,
“regardless of our doom, we little victims played,” or rather watched
the play; we little knew what cruel fate awaited us, or that the
present head-master of Eton and the Rev. F. W. Cornish lay in ambush
for our outcoming behind that very sharp turn in the High Street,
which, on account of its acute angle, and the consequent danger of
being nailed in shirking in old days, was somewhat flippantly termed
DAMNATION-CORNER.
*Dancing Gallery, The* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The old name of
the Picta Gallery.
1884. _Stonyhurst Mag._, i. 290. The gallery now known as “Our Lady’s
Gallery,” which in former times was designated THE DANCING GALLERY. It
is by competent judges pronounced to be one of the finest bits of
“Baronial Gothic” architecture in England, but the door is quite a
solecism, for it is of a much later design.
*Dark Walk, The* (Stonyhurst).—A long avenue of tall yew trees
in the garden. Tradition says the last of the Shireburns was
poisoned by eating some of the berries from these trees.
_Cf._ _Stonyhurst Mag._, ii. 179; iv. 703.
1885. _Stonyhurst Mag._, i. 179. The DARK WALK formerly extended a
considerable way nearer the house than now, and when the Jesuits came
it was found necessary to encroach upon the gardens to make room for
the playgrounds, and a certain part of the DARK WALK was taken in.
*Darker* (Harrow).—The photographic “dark-room”: formerly under
the Science Schools.
*Dark-lanthorn* (Harrow).—_See_ JACK-O’-LANTERN.
*Date-card*, _subs._ (Haileybury).—_See_ quot.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, 297. Besides the ordinary forms of
punishment, there is the DATE-CARD, of which refractory or forgetful
youths write out selected “twelves.” It is much more useful to know
“Gutenberg prints from moveable type, 1453,” than to record “Infaudum,
regina, jubes renovare dolorem.”
*Daviesites* (Charterhouse).—_See_ OUT-HOUSES.
*Day* (Stonyhurst).—Rector’s Day, Provincial’s Day, General’s
Day—whole holidays given in honour of superiors; in the two
former instances accompanied by presentations of verses
written by the boys. [The word “DAY” seems as peculiar as
“PLACE” (_q.v._). _Cf._ the “Three hundred-day,” given when
the number of boys first reached three hundred; “Kenna’s
Day,” on the occasion of the visit of Captain Kenna, V.C.,
to the College, &c.]
*Day-boys*, _subs._ (Cheltenham).—An exercise on the horizontal
bar.
*Dean*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A small band of wood round a
BILL-BRIGHTER (_q.v._); that securing a fagot is called a
BISHOP (_q.v._).
*Debater*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The school debating society.
*Deeds* (or *Dees*), _subs._ (Felsted).—Private prayers.
*Deg*, _subs._ and _verb_ (The Leys).—To degrade; to depose.
Hence, one who has forfeited rank or office by misconduct.
*Degra*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A degradation.
*Degrade*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To feel degradation:
_e.g._ he is DEGRADED to do so-and-so.
*Dep*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A deputy GRECIAN (_q.v._),
_i.e._ a boy in the form below the GRECIANS.
*Deputy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The Junior CANDLEKEEPER
(_q.v._), who had the organisation of the Fagging
department, and assisted the Senior CANDLEKEEPER in
thrashing the Juniors in Hall.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Derrywag*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Paper used for parsing: ruled
twenty lines down, and six across. [That is, “derivation
paper.”]
*Deten*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A card issued to a boy
set down for Saturday afternoon detention. Also called a
SOUP-TICKET.
*Devor*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Plum-cake. [From the Latin
verb.]
*Dex*, _subs._ (Loretto).—A form of “small cricket” once
extremely popular at Loretto. [The name originated with
Andrew Lang, and was not intended to be complimentary to the
game. Often called PUDDEX, owing to a mistaken derivation.]
*Dibs* (or *Dobs*), _subs._ (Sherborne).—Prayers.
*Dic*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A dictionary.
*Dinge*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—A picture or
painting.
*Dip*, _subs._ 1. (Westminster).—A pocket-inkstand.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 165. Two pen-knives, two
pieces of india-rubber, two pencils, two pieces of sealing-wax, two
pieces of penstring, two DIPS (little globular ink-bottles), two
DIP-CORKS, two wedges, two pieces of gutta-percha (for putting on the
points of foils), and any number of pens. [Contents of a Westminster
fag’s pocket.]
2. (Felsted).—An “incandescent” electric lamp. Hence DIP-KEY
= an electric light switch-key.
*Dispar* (or *Disper*), _subs._ (Winchester).—A portion; a
share. _See_ quot., and CAT’S-HEAD.
1847. HALLIWELL, _Arch. Words_, s.v. DISPAR ... A commons or share.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 22. Under the superintendence
of the _præfectus ollæ_ (prefect of tub), portions of beef, called
DISPARS, were served out to the boys in messes of four, with a
sufficiency of bread, and beer in large black jacks.
*Distinction-breakfast*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_
GOOD-BREAKFAST.
*Distinguished*, _adj._ (Stonyhurst).—Said of a boy who obtains
two-thirds of the marks in any examination. “Distinction” in
the year’s work wins a prize, and term “distinctions” are
otherwise rewarded.
*Ditch* (The), _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ Appendix.
1854. _The Blue_ [quoted in] July 1871. The Steward did not attempt to
quiet us; he got us out of the Hall as quickly as he could, and we
rushed to the Treasurer’s house in the DITCH, and cried “Shame” till
we were tired.
*Ditto-blues*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A suit of clothes all of
blue cloth.
*Div*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A “division”: _e.g._ TIQUE-DIV
(_q.v._).
*Do*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A general name for minor and special
suppers: usually given to some privileged class, or in
reward for some extra work: e.g. Choir-DO; Magazine-DO
(given to the staff and contributors to the School
magazine). _Cf._ GOOD-SUPPER and GOOD-BREAKFAST. Whence
DO-ROOM = the long room in which a DO is held. [As a rule
words with the suffix “room” are modern; “PLACE” (_q.v._) is
the older form.]
*Dock*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To erase: as by rubbing out, or by
a stroke of the pen; to tear out: as leaves from a book.
Also DOCK OUT.
*Doctor*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The Head-master.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 27. The
Head Master, or the DOCTOR, as he is always called, lives in
“Commoners’ buildings.”
*Dog-biscuit*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—A biscuit, which with a
glass of milk, or (in winter) a cup of coffee, may be had
before chapel at 7.30 A.M.
*Dogger*, _verb_ (Charterhouse).—To cheat; to sell rubbish.
*Dogs*, _intj._ (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—The
III^{rd} Class: formerly used as was CATS (_q.v._) of the
II^{nd} Class.
*Dog-shooter*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—_See_ quot.
1889. BARRERE, _Slang, Jargon, and Cant_, p. 317. Cadets thus term a
student who accelerates, that is, who, being pretty certain of not
being able to obtain a commission in the engineers, or not caring for
it, elects to join a superior class before the end of the term.
*Dole*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A stratagem; a trick: as
to get one out of bed. [From Latin _dolus_.]
*Dolifier*, _subs._ (Winchester).—One who contrives a trick.
_See_ DOLE.
*Dolphin*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A boy who has passed a certain
examination in swimming and diving: about the fifteen best,
as a rule, are so named.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 96. On the last Monday of the term
there is a contest for the best swimmer and the best diver, a
challenge cup being given for these events by Lord Ebrington. There
are also contests for racing, picking up eggs, and to become
“DOLPHINS,” and for a Humane Society medal.
*Dome* (or *Doom*), _subs._ (Sherborne).—A bedroom.
*Domum*, _intj._ (Winchester; obsolete).—The summons back from
Hills: given by College Juniors. Also as in quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_, 207. DOMUM—a Latin
Canticle, supposed to have been written by a boy who was not allowed
to go home for the holidays. The tradition says that he carved it on a
tree, and then committed suicide. On the last Friday in Long Half,
after Election, a kind of festival was held in the evening, when
numbers of people came into College, and DOMUM was sung over and over
again in School, Meads, and the principal Quadrangle ... at each place
(p. 183) singing DOMUM louder than before, till at last the power
failed, and the ladies, visitors, and superannuates went to recruit
their energies for a brief period before going to the DOMUM-BALL at
St. John’s rooms.
*Domum-ball*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A ball given by the
superannuated College Prefects on the evening after the
“men” go home for the Midsummer holidays.
*Domum-day*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Going-home day at Midsummer.
*Don*, _subs._ (University).—A fellow or officer of a college;
whence the vulgar usage = an adept; a swell. [From Latin
_dominus_, a lord, through the Spanish title.]
1665. DRYDEN, _Indian Emperor_, Epilogue, 21. For the great DONS of
wit—Phœbus gives them full privilege alone, To damn all others, and
cry up their own.
1698-1700. WARD, _London Spy_, pt. XIII. p. 299. Like the Great Old
DONS of the Law, when they dance the Measures in an Inns-of-Court Hall
upon the first day of Christmas.
1730. JAS. MILLER, _Humours of Oxford_, i. p. 7 (2nd ed.). The old
DONS ... will come cringing, cap in hand, to offer to show the ladies
the curiosities of the college.
1826. REYNOLDS (“Peter Corcoran”), _Song on the Fancy_. Dull
innocence! Twaddle on, Thy weary worshipper—and fain Would give thee
up, to be a DON, And beat the watch in Drury Lane.
1855. THACKERAY, _Newcomes_, ch. xi. Does not go much into society,
except ... once or twice to the houses of great country DONS who dwell
near him in the country.
_c._ 1880. _Broadside Ballad_, sung by Jenny Hill. “’Arry, ’Arry,
There you are now, ’Arry, I say, ’Arry, by Jove, you are a DON.”
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 11. What the DONS can be about to
allow boys ... to have a bottle of champagne each, and then “more,” I
can _not_ understand.
*Dor*, _subs._ (Old Westminster).—_See_ quot. [TO OBTAIN A DOR =
to get leave to sleep.—HALLIWELL.]
1715. J. KERSEY, _English Dictionary_. _Sub voce_, a term used at
Westminster School for leave to sleep awhile.
*Double*, _subs._ 1. (Loretto).—A general assembly of the
school. The first double is for morning prayers at 9.30 A.M.
after first hour’s school. After prayers, sides for the day
are arranged in Hall. The head boy holds a double after
dinner, when the exercise of those not playing in regular
games is arranged. [Originally summoned by a double bell.]