THE FIELD, _subs._ (Sherborne).—_See_ FIELDS.
*Fields*, _subs._ (Sherborne: obsolete).—The playing-ground:
seventeenth century. The modern term is “The Field,” though
there are five separate grounds.
*Fifteens*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A football match. _See_
SIX-AND-SIX.
*Fifty, The*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—The chief football ground;
the next immediately below it is the Middle Fifty, then the
Lower Fifty, and the Fourth Fifty. _Cf._ HUNDRED, which is
now obsolete.
*Fighting-green*, _subs._ (Westminster).—The old battle-ground
in the western cloister.
*Figures*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The Second Form: formerly GREAT
FIGURES. _See_ LITTLE FIGURES.
*Fin*, _intj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A form of negative. _Ex._
“FIN the small court” = “I won’t have, &c.” [Lat. _fend_.]
_See_ FAINS.
*Find*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A mess of, usually, two upper boys
which takes breakfast and tea in the rooms of one or other
of the set: a privilege of the Sixth Form. Whence FIND-FAG =
a fag who lays the table for the upper boys. [_Find_ (dial.)
= to supply; to supply with provisions.] Also as _verb_.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 316. Immediately a certain
number of rolls (FINDS they were called—etymology unknown) were
ordered at the baker’s, and were rebaked every morning until they were
pretty nearly as hard as pebbles. At nine o’clock on the morning fixed
for the rolling in, the members of the hall ranged themselves on the
long table which ran along one side of the room, each with his pile of
these rolls before him, and a fag to pick them up.
*Finder*, _subs._ (Oxford).—A waiter.
*Finjy!* _intj._ (Winchester).—An exclamation excusing one from
participation in an unpleasant or unacceptable task, which
he who says the word last has to undertake. _Cf._ FAINS.
*Firk* (or *Ferk*), _verb_ (Winchester).—To proceed; to hasten;
to expel; to send; to drive away. [O.E. _fercian_.] Also TO
FIRK UP and TO FIRK DOWN.
1283. _William of Palerne._ Thei bisiliche fondede (tried) fast to
FERKE him forthward.
_c._ 1400. _Troy Book._ I you helpe shall the flese for to fecche, and
FERKE it away.
[?] _MS. Lincoln_, _Morte Arthure_, f. 79. The Kyng FERKES furthe on a
faire stede.
1599. SHAKSPEARE, _Henry V._, iv. 4. _Pistol._ I’ll fer him, and FIRK
him, and ferret him, discuss the same in French unto him. _Boy._ I do
not know the French for fer and ferret and FIRK.
1611. BARRY, _Ram Alley_ [DODSLEY, _Old Plays_ (REED), v. 466]. Nay, I
will FIRK my silly novice, as he was never FIRK’D Since mid-wives
bound his noddle.
1640. BROME, _Antipodes_. As tumblers do ... by FIRKING up their
breeches.
1795. SEWELL, _Hist. of Quakers_. At this the judge said, “Take him
away: prevaricator! I’ll FERK him.”
*Five, The*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The Five bell.
*Flannels*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The members of either School
Eleven.
1899. _Public School Mag._, Dec., p. 446. Up to the present the eleven
have won four matches and lost one, while Monro, Cookson, Wyckoff, and
Borwick have all received their FLANNELS.
*Flat*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—An objectionable
person; a “bounder.” [A misuse of flat = fool.]
*Fleshy*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A thick cut out of the middle of
a shoulder of mutton. _See_ DISPAR.
*Flies.* SQUASHED FLIES, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—Biscuits
with currants.
*Floor*, _verb_ (general).—To pluck; to plough. Also = to
master; to prove oneself superior to the occasion: _e.g._ TO
FLOOR A PAPER, LESSON, EXAMINATION, EXAMINER, &c. _Cf._
BOWL; THROW.
1852. BRISTED, _Five Years in an English University_, p. 12. Somehow I
nearly FLOORED the paper.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iv. Mr. Filcher thoroughly understood
the science of “FLOORING” a freshman.
1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_. I’ve FLOORED my Little Go.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 98. These blessed exams. are
getting awfully close now, but I think I shall FLOOR mine.
*Fluke*, _verb_ (general).—To shirk.
1864. _Eton School-Days_, ch. xvi. p. 203. “By Jove! I think I shall
FLUKE doing Verses; I should like to see Paddy drive tandem through
College,” said Butler Burke.
*Flyer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A half-volley at football. A
MADE-FLYER is when the bound of the ball is gained from a
previous kick, by the same side, against canvas or any other
obstacle, or is dropped, as in a “drop-kick.” This is now
confused with a “kick-up.”—WRENCH.
*Flying-man*, _subs._ (Eton).—The boy who stands behind the
“bully,” and either runs down, or kicks hard, as may be
required.
1864. _Eton School-Days_, ch. xxiii. p. 255. He possessed good wind,
and was a very good “kick-off,” and he could “bully” a ball as well as
any one. He was a little too heavy for FLYING-MAN, but he made a
decent “sidepost,” and now and then he officiated as “corner.”
*Fobs*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—Boiled bread and milk.
*Footer*, _subs._ (Harrow).—(1) Football; (2) a player of
football according to Rugby rules; and (3) the ball itself.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 96. Directly after the goose match
(Michaelmas Day) FOOTER proper begins, and is the principal game
played at the school during the Christmas term. The game as played at
Harrow differs considerably from the game as played at Eton and other
schools, and has distinct rules of its own; it may be said to be more
like the Association game than any other.
1896. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 139. H. H. H. who wants to have a
“second” FOOTER shirt.
*Footer-hill, The* (Harrow).—The hill from the football-fields
and DUCKER (_q.v._).
*For*, _phr._ (Tonbridge).—A form of ridicule: _e.g._ “first
eleven FOR one” would be used in jeering at a boy who had
recently obtained his colours.
*Forakers* (or *Foricus*), _subs._ (Winchester).—The
water-closet. [Formerly _foricus_, and probably a corruption
of _foricas_, an English plural of the Latin _forica_.]
*Force.* OUT BY FORCE, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—Of a football when
it goes out from two opposite players at the same time.
*Founders*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Boys who proved their descent
from the Founder, and were afterwards elected (by rote among
the Electors) as such. Only two were admitted each year, and
only two were sent to New College, but these two were put at
the head of the ROLL (_q.v._) whatever their previous
position in SIXTH BOOK (_q.v._) might have been. They were
not obliged to leave at the age of eighteen, as the other
boys were, but were allowed to remain till they were
twenty-five. They were supposed to have particularly thick
skulls.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Founder’s-Com.*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The four days on which
there were festivals in commemoration of the Founder, when
there was AMEN-CHAPEL (_q.v._); the Fellows and Masters gave
a dinner in Common-room, and the FOUNDERS (_q.v._) received
a sovereign each.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Founder’s-day*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The 3rd of October, the
anniversary of the death of John Lyon: usually kept on the
nearest Thursday to the date in question.
*Founder’s-kin*, _subs._ (various).—Those, who at Winchester,
Harrow, &c., could show descent from William of Wykeham or
John Lyon, &c., as the case might be, and who were entitled
to priority of election on the foundation.
1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 32. The preference assigned to
FOUNDER’S-KIN in the election soon brought into the field, as may be
supposed, young Wykehams and Williamses from all quarters, with others
who proved more or less satisfactorily their connection with the
founder’s family; and gradually the customs obtained of electing two
only of these favoured candidates at the head of the roll for
admission, and filling up the remaining vacancies by a process of
successive nominations by each of the six electors, the Warden of New
College having the first turn, until the number of vacancies was
supplied.
*Founder’s-Ob.*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The anniversary of the
Founder’s death.
*Four-holed Middlings*, _subs. phr._ (Winchester:
obsolete).—Ordinary walking shoes. _Cf._ BEESWAXERS.
*Fourth*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A rear or jakes. [Origin
uncertain; said to have been first used at St. John’s or
Trinity, where the closets are situated in the Fourth
Court. Whatever its derivation, the term is now the only
one in use at Cambridge, and is frequently heard outside
the university.] The verbal phrase is TO KEEP A FOURTH.
*Fourth Book*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—All the boys
below Junior Part the Fifth. _See_ BOOKS.
*Fourth Former* (Harrow).—The oldest form room in the Old
Schools: now used for morning prayer by those who go to the
Old Schools, and also as the head-master’s torture-chamber.
*Fourth of June* (Eton).—_See_ quot.
1865. _Etoniana_, p. 166. Since the glories of Montem have departed,
the FOURTH OF JUNE PROCESSION has taken its place as the great yearly
festival of Etonians. It was instituted in commemoration of a visit of
King George III., and is held on his birthday. It is the great
trysting day of Eton, when her sons gather from far and wide, young
and old, great and small,—no matter who or what, so long as they are
old Etonians; that magic bond binds them all together as brothers, and
levels for the time all distinctions of age or rank. The proceedings
begin with the ‘speeches’ delivered in the upper school at twelve
o’clock before the provost, fellows, masters, and a large audience of
the boys’ friends. Selections from classical authors, ancient or
modern, are recited by the Sixth-form boys, who are dressed for the
occasion in black swallow-tail coats, white ties, black knee-breeches
and buckles, silk stockings, and pumps. Then follows the provost’s
luncheon, given in the college hall to the distinguished visitors,
while similar entertainments on a smaller scale are going on in the
various tutors’ and dames’ houses. At 3 o’clock there is full choral
service in chapel. At 6 o’clock all hands adjourn to the Brocas, a
large open meadow, to witness the great event of the day,—the
procession of the Boats to Surly Hall, a public-house of that name, on
the right bank of the river, some three and a half miles from Windsor.
The boats are divided into two classes—Upper and Lower. The Upper
division consists of the _Monarch_ ten-oar, the _Victory_, and the
_Prince of Wales_, or, as it is more usually called, the _Third
Upper_. The Lower boats are the _Britannia_, _Dreadnought_, _Thetis_,
and _St. George_; sometimes, when the number of aspirants to a place
is larger than usual, an eighth boat called the _Defiance_ is added.
The collegers have also for some years put on a four-oar—latterly
expanded into an eight—which follows in the procession. The flotilla
is preceded by the Eton racing eight-oar, manned by the picked crew
who are to contend at Putney or Henley. Each boat has its distinctive
uniform. Formerly these were very fanciful—Greek pirates, or galley
slaves in silver chains, astonishing the quiet reaches of the Thames
for the day. The crews of the Upper boats now wear dark blue jackets
and trousers, and straw hats with ribbons, displaying the name of the
boat in gold letters. The coxswains are dressed in an admiral’s
uniform, with gold fittings, sword, and cocked-hat. The captain of
each boat has an anchor and crown embroidered in gold on the left
sleeve of his jacket. In the Lower boats, the crews wear trousers of
white jean, and all ornaments and embroidery are in silver. Each boat
carries a large silk flag in the stern. The procession is headed by a
quaint old-fashioned boat (an Eton racing boat of primitive days)
rowed by watermen and conveying a military band. The Westminster eight
always receives an invitation to this celebration, and occasionally
makes its appearance on the river, adding very much to the interest of
the procession.... Opposite to Surly Hall, a liberal display of good
things ... awaits the arrival of the crews—the Sixth Form alone being
accommodated with a tent. After a few toasts, and as much champagne as
can be fairly disposed of in a short time, the captain of the boat
gives the word for all to re-embark, and the flotilla returns to Eton
in the same order.... Singing, shouting, racing, and bumping, all go
on together in the most harmonious confusion.... The boats, after
their return through Windsor Bridge, turn and row two or three times
round an eyot in the middle of the stream above the bridge. During
this time a grand display of fireworks takes place on the eyot. The
ringing of the fine old bells in the Curfew Tower, the cheering of the
crews, and the brilliant coloured fires which strike across the water,
and light up the dense masses of spectators along the bridge, the
rafts, and the shore, produce an effect not easily forgotten. A
pyrotechnic illumination of the College arms concludes the ceremonies,
and is the signal for the crews to land and march in jubilant disorder
back to College.
*Fox-and-dowdy*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—_See_
ACTION.
*Fragment*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A dinner for six
(served in College Hall, after the ordinary dinner), ordered
by a Fellow in favour of a particular boy, who was at
liberty to invite five others to join him. A fragment was
supposed to consist of three dishes.—_Winchester Word-Book_
[1891].
*Free*, _adj._ (Oxford).—Impudent; self-possessed.
1864. TENNYSON, _Northern Farmer_ (Old Style), line 25. But parson a
coomes an’ a goos, an’ a says it eäsy an’ FREEÄ.
*Freed*, _adv._ (Stonyhurst).—Of an extra recreation: given for
some special reason.
*Fresh*, _adj._ (University).—Said of an undergraduate in his
first term.
1803. _Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_, s.v.
1866. TREVELYAN, _Horace at Athens_. When you and I were FRESH.
*Fresher.* _See_ FRESHMAN.
*Freshers.* THE FRESHERS, _subs._ (Cambridge). That part of the
Cam which lies between the Mill and Byron’s Pool. So called
because it is frequented by FRESHMEN (_q.v._).
*Fresh-herring*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A boy newly
admitted to the school. Such a one is seized on his first
or first few visits to the playground, and conveyed to a
corner—a MONKEY DEN—where he is more or less forcibly
SQUABBED (_q.v._) against the wall by as many persecutors
as can get at him. The incongruity of fresh-herrings in a
monkey-den does not seem to be remarked. But twenty-five
to thirty years ago FRESH-HERRINGS were hurled over _the
Precipice_. This was a drop of some six or eight feet from
the general level of the playground over a retaining wall
to the bottom of an incline up which coal-stores, &c.,
could be brought into the playground. The new science and
art rooms have covered the site, and MONKEY-DEN has
superseded the terrors of this local Tarpeian Rock. The
FRESH-HERRING is always told that he must bring beeswax
and turpentine for the purpose of polishing his desk, and
he not infrequently comes armed with this or some other
form of furniture-polish, to the glee of the “stuffer-up.”
*Freshman* (or *Fresher*), _subs._ (University).—A University
man during his first year. In Dublin University he is a
JUNIOR FRESHMAN during his first year, and a SENIOR FRESHMAN
the second year. At Oxford the title lasts for the first
term. _See_ SOPH.
1596. NASHE, _Saffron Walden_, in _Works_, iii. 8. When he was but yet
a FRESHMAN in Cambridge.
1611. MIDDLETON, _Roaring Girl_, Act iii. sc. 3. _S. Alex._ Then he’s
a graduate. _S. Davy._ Say they trust him not. _S. Alex._ Then is he
held a FRESHMAN and a sot.
1650. HOWELL, _Familiar Letters_ [NARES]. I am but a FRESHMAN yet in
France, therefore I can send you no news, but that all is here quiet,
and ’tis no ordinary news, that the French should be quiet.
1671. COTGRAVE, _Wit’s Interpreter_, p. 221. First, if thou art a
FRESHMAN, and art bent To bear love’s arms, and follow Cupid’s tent.
1767. COLMAN, _Oxonian in Town_, ii. 3. And now I find you as dull and
melancholy as a FRESHMAN at college after a jobation.
1841. LEVER, _Charles O’Malley_, ch. xiv. “This is his third year,”
said the Doctor, “and he is only a FRESHMAN, having lost every
examination.”
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, iii. Mr. Green saw at a glance that
all the passengers were Oxford men, dressed in every variety of Oxford
fashion, and exhibiting a pleasing diversity of Oxford manners. Their
private remarks on the two new-comers were, like stage “asides,”
perfectly audible. “Decided case of governor!” said one. “Undoubted
ditto of FRESHMAN!” observed another.
1891. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_, 55. A lot of FRESHMEN got together
after Hall (it was a Saints’ day, and they’d been drinking audit) and
went and made hay in Marling’s rooms.
1891. _Sporting Life_, Mar. 20. The mile, bar accidents, will be a
gift to B. C. Allen, of Corpus, who has more than maintained the
reputation he gained as a FRESHER.
1895. _Felstedian_, Dec., 178. The new trousers and immaculate brown
boots of the “FRESHER” are suffering terribly from the slush.
1898. _Stonyhurst Mag._, Dec., p. 149, “Life at Oxford.” Three Seniors
were entertaining some fifteen or more FRESHERS.
_Adj._ (University).—Of, or pertaining to, a FRESHMAN, or a
first year student.
*Freshman’s Bible*, _subs. phr._ (University).—The University
Calendar.
*Freshman’s Church*, _subs. phr._ (Cambridge).—The Pitt Press.
[From its ecclesiastical architecture.]
*Freshman’s Landmark*, _subs. phr._ (Cambridge).—King’s College
Chapel. [From the situation.]
*Freshmanship*, _subs._ (old).—Of the quality or state of being
a freshman.
1605. JONSON, _Volpone, or the Fox_, iv. 3. Well, wise Sir Pol., since
you have practised thus, Upon my FRESHMANSHIP, I’ll try your salt-head
With what proof it is against a counter-plot.
*Froust*, _subs._ (Harrow).—1. Extra sleep allowed on Sunday
mornings and whole holidays. Also (2) an easy-chair. Hence
FROUSTER.
*Frout*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Angry; vexed.
*Fudge*, _subs._ 1. (Christ’s Hospital).—To copy; to crib; to
dodge or escape: also _see_ quot.
1870-95. _More Gleanings from_ THE BLUE. The Latin Grammar was a
strange book to the new boy; he says he was “relieved from
embarrassment by the readiness with which my schoolfellows in the
class above assisted in explaining,” &c. &c.; so a “FUDGE” is not a
modern invention, though it is expressed by a polite periphrasis.
1877. _The Blue-Coat Boys_, p. 97. FUDGE, to prompt a fellow in class,
or prompt oneself in class artificially. Thence to tell: _e.g._ “FUDGE
me what the time is.”