*Legion of Honour*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The last twelve in the
mathematical TRIPOS (_q.v._).
1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v. PLUCK.... These unfortunate fellows
are designated by many opprobrious appellations, such as the Twelve
Apostles, the LEGION OF HONOUR, Wise Men of the East, &c.
*Lemonade*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A day of high festival, coming
twice a year, at Shrove-tide and at Easter.
*Lemon Peel Fight*, _subs. phr._ (Charterhouse: obsolete).—_See_
quot.
1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, 80. On Shrove-Tuesday, according to a
custom dating from 1850 or probably earlier, every boy used to receive
half a lemon with his pancake at dinner. This he reserved to use as a
missile in the fight which was to take place directly afterwards. At
Old Charterhouse, gownboys used to stand against the rest of the
school, and the fight consisted in each side pelting the other with
the half lemons. It lasted for fifteen or twenty minutes, and was
begun and ended by a house bell being rung. During these twenty
minutes a good many bruises and black eyes could be received, for
combatants fought at quite close quarters; and unpopular monitors were
sometimes badly damaged. At New Charterhouse the sides were at first
Old Charterhouse _v._ New. In 1877 they were changed again to
Out-houses _v._ The Rest. This was the last fight. Grave abuses had
crept in. The lemons were no longer simple lemons, but a sort of
bomb-shell, loaded with pebbles or ink, and several boys were badly
hurt. So the Sixth Form in 1878 “totally abolished LEMON PEEL as a
barbarous and obsolete practice.” It required a strong Sixth Form to
do this, for the fight was popular, and their action is one of the
best things that the school has done for itself. Its abolition differs
from the abolition of fighting; the latter became obsolete through the
action of public opinion; LEMON PEEL was abolished by an ukase almost
in defiance of public opinion.
*Lent Suppers.* _See_ PUBLIC-SUPPING.
*Let.* TO LET IN, _verb. phr._ (Oxford).—To associate with.
1861. HUGHES, _Tom Brown at Oxford_, i. He has also been good enough
to recommend to me many tradesmen, ... but, with the highest respect
for friend Perkins (my scout) and his obliging friends, I shall make
some inquiries before LETTING IN with any of them.
*Let-out*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—Any less extensive holiday than
a half holiday.
*Levite*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—A boy leaving the school.
*Levy*, _subs._ (Rugby).—_See_ quot.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, viii. In fact, the solemn
assembly, a LEVY of the school, had been held, at which the captain of
the school had got up, and, after premising that several instances had
occurred of matters having been reported to the masters; that this was
against public morality and School tradition; that a LEVY of the sixth
had been held on the subject, and they had resolved that the practice
must be stopped at once.
*Lib*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—The Library. Whence LIB. COLL. =
a collection of library books.
*Licet*, _adj._ and _adv._ (Winchester).—Allowed; permissible;
befitting a Wykehamist.
*Lick.* TO LICK OFF THE FIELD, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—To get
five BASES (_q.v._) before the other side scores one, in a
FOOTER (_q.v._) House-match: this closes the game.
*Lie.* TO LIE IN, _verb. phr._ (Royal Military Academy).—To keep
one’s room when supposed to be out on leave.
*Lincoln Devil* (The), _subs._ (Oxford).—A curious gilded
deformed image (copied from a figure in Lincoln Cathedral)
which decorates the bows of the Lincoln boat. Replicas are
honoured by, and found in the rooms of, most Lincoln men.
*Lines*, _subs._ (general).—The usual punishment—the copying out
of so many lines of Greek or Latin. Hence TO BE PUT ON LINES
(Harrow) = to have to show up so many lines each half-hour
for a certain number of half-holidays, for being late for
chapel, &c.
*Links*, _subs._ (Loretto).—A short run or walk before
breakfast: about half a mile. [Formerly always across
Musselburgh Links: now there are various LINKS according to
circumstances.]
*Lion*, _subs._ (old University).—_See_ quot.
1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v. LION.... Also the name given by the
gownsmen of Oxford to inhabitants or visitors.
*Lions, The* (Stonyhurst).—The two pillars in front of the
College.
*Little Figures*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The old name
for the class of ELEMENTS (_q.v._).
1895. _Stonyhurst Magazine_, v. p. 519. I was sent to Stonyhurst, when
I was put into the class of LITTLE FIGURES.
*Little Figuricians*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ LITTLE
FIGURES.
*Little-go*, _subs._ (University).—The public examination which
students at the English Universities have to pass in the
second year of residence: also called the “previous
examination” (as preceding the final one for a degree), and,
at Oxford, SMALLS (_q.v._).
1841. THACKERAY, _King of Brentford’s Testament_, 86, 7. At college,
though not fast, Yet his LITTLE-GO and great-go He creditably pass’d.
1849. THACKERAY, _Pendennis_, iii. A tutor, don’t you see, old boy?
He’s coaching me, and some other men, for the LITTLE-GO.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, vii. “Oh,” said Mr. Charles Larkyns,
“they give you no end of trouble at these places; and they require the
vaccination certificate before you go in for your responsions—the
LITTLE-GO, you know.”
*Little Man*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot., and Appendix.
1866-72. _Sketchy Memoirs of Eton_, p. 16. He called the footman (or
LITTLE MAN ...) and bade him reach down the obnoxious placard.
*Little Refectory*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A room in
the old College, sometimes used as a refectory for smaller
boys.
*Little-side*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A term applied to all games
organised between houses only. _See_ BIG-SIDE.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, vii. In all the games too he
joined with all his heart, and soon became well versed in all the
mysteries of football, by continual practice at the School-house
LITTLE-SIDE, which played daily.
*Lob*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A “yorker”; never, as in ordinary
cricket phraseology, an underhand delivery.
*Lobster*, _intj._ (general).—A signal of a master’s approach.
_Verb_ (Winchester).—To cry. [_Lowster_ or _louster_ (South)
= to make a clumsy rattling noise.]
*Lockback*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A Holiday or REMEDY (_q.v._),
on which, from bad weather or any other cause, the boys did
not go on to HILLS (_q.v._), but remained on the school side
of Seventh Chamber Passage Gate.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Lockees*, _subs._ (Westminster).—Lockhouse.
*Lockites* (Charterhouse).—_See_ OUT-HOUSES.
*Locks and Keys*, _intj._ (Winchester).—_See_ PEALS.
*Lock-up*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Locking up—the time by which all
have to be in their Houses for the night; the hour varies
with the season, from 5.30 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.
*Log*, _subs._ (general).—The last boy of his “form” or “house.”
*Logie*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Sewage.
*Log-pond*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A sewer.
*London-cricket*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The modern game: to
distinguish it from STONYHURST-CRICKET (_q.v._).
*Long.* THE LONG (University).—The summer vacation.
1852. BRISTED, _Five Years in an English University_, p. 37. For a
month or six weeks in THE LONG they rambled off to see the sights of
Paris.
1863. READE, _Hard Cash_, i. 17. “I hope I shall not be [‘ploughed for
smalls’] to vex you and puss ...” “... Puss? that is me [sister
Julia]. How dare he? Did I not forbid all these nicknames and all this
Oxfordish, by proclamation, last LONG.” “Last LONG?” [remonstrates
mamma]. “Hem! last protracted vacation.”
THE LONGS, _subs._ (Oxford).—The latrines at Brasenose.
[Built by Lady Long.]
*Long-box*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A deal box for holding bats,
stumps, balls, &c.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Long Chamber*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot. Long Chamber still
exists, but in a very different condition.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, 14. To Francis Hodgson, who was elected
Provost in 1840, is primarily due the vast improvement in the
condition of the scholars, or collegers, which was effected in the
course of the next few years.... LONG CHAMBER, a dormitory containing
no less than fifty-two beds, notorious for its filth and discomfort,
was considerably curtailed, and separate rooms were provided for
forty-nine boys by the erection of a new wing.
*Long-dispar*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 84. There were six of these
[DISPARS (_q.v._) or portions] to a shoulder, and eight to a leg of
mutton, the other joints being divided in like proportion. All these
“dispars” had different names; the thick slice out of the centre of
the leg was called a “middle cut,” ... the ribs “Racks,” the loin LONG
DISPARS.
*Long-fork*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 80. We had not proper toasting
forks, but pieces of stick called LONG FORKS.
*Long-glass*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ quot.
1883. *Brinsley Richards*, _Seven Years at Eton_, 321. A glass nearly
a yard long, shaped like the horn of a stage-coach guard, and with a
hollow globe instead of a foot. It held a quart of beer, and the
ceremony of drinking out of it constituted an initiation into the
higher circle of Etonian swelldom. There was LONG-GLASS drinking once
or twice a week during the summer half. The _invités_ attended in an
upper room of Tap after two, and each before the long glass was handed
to him had a napkin tied round his neck. It was considered a grand
thing to drain the glass without removing it from the lips, and
without spilling any of its contents. This was difficult, because when
the contents of the tubular portion of the glass had been sucked down,
the beer in the globe would remain for a moment as if congealed there:
then if the drinker tilted the glass up a little, and shook it, the
motionless beer would give a gurgle and come with a sudden rush all
over his face. There was a way of holding the long glass at a certain
angle by which catastrophes were avoided. Some boys could toss off
their quart of ale in quite superior style, and I may as well remark
that these clever fellows could do little else.
*Long-grass*, _subs._ (Winchester).—All MEADS (_q.v._) except
the paths and TURF (_q.v._).
*Long-meads*, _subs._ 1. (Winchester).—A field between
SICK-HOUSE (_q.v._) and COMMONERS (_q.v._): now thrown into
MEADS (_q.v._).
2. (Winchester).—“The time after dinner on summer evenings,
when we went on to UNDERHILLS.”—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Long-paper*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Foolscap.
*Long Quarter*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—One of the school terms:
now the shortest of the three, which are LONG, SUMMER, and
ORATION QUARTER. The SUMMER is colloquially known as
CRICKET-QUARTER, and the oration has been abolished.
*Long Room, The* (Stonyhurst).—The Museum. [From its shape.]
*Long Wallyford*, _subs._ (Loretto).—The usual run on a wet
short school day: about five miles. _See_ WALLYFORD and
FASIDE.
*Lord’s* (Winchester and Harrow).—_See_ Appendix.
*Lorettonian*, _subs._ (Loretto).—Frequently applied to boys who
wear even fewer clothes than usual at Loretto; or who
delight in violating the conventions of the outside world in
sensible ways.
*Lose.* TO LOSE DOWN (Winchester).—_See_ JOCKEY.
*Loss.* FAIN LOSS, _intj._ (Felsted).—The formula by which a
claim was made to a vacant seat. An obsolete equivalent was
FAIN LO; also NO LOSS. _See_ FAIN.
*Lounge*, _subs._ (Eton and Cambridge).—A treat; a chief meal.
_See_ Appendix.
1864. _The Press_, Nov. 12. By the way, we miss the Etonian word
LOUNGE, for which there is classic authority. “I don’t care for
dinner,” said Harry Coningsby at his grandfather’s table; “breakfast
is my LOUNGE.”
*Lout*, _subs._ (Rugby).—Any one of the poorer classes: not
necessarily an awkward, lubberly individual.
1856. HUGHES, _Tom Brown’s School-days_, v. “Hullo tho’,” says East,
pulling up, and taking another look at Tom, “this’ll never do—haven’t
you got a hat?—we never wear caps here. Only the LOUTS wear caps.
Bless you, if you were to go into the quadrangle with that thing on,
I——don’t know what’d happen.”
*Lower Club* (Eton).—_See_ PLAYING-FIELDS.
*Lower Line*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The four lowest classes.
1890. _Felstedian_, Feb., p. 2. Well, Johnson _ma_, happening to meet
Tompkins _mi_ just before first Prep, &c.
*Low-man*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A Junior Optimé as compared to a
Senior Optimé or a Wrangler.
*Luff*, _verb_ (Derby).—To hit out; to slog: as at cricket.
*Lush*, _subs._ (Eton).—A dainty.
*Lux*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A good thing; a splendid
thing: _e.g._ My knife is wooston a LUX. A Hertford word [?
luxury]. Obsolete.
*Luxer*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—A handsome fellow.
*Mad*, _adj._ (Winchester).—Angry; vexed. [Old English, now
dial. in England, but universal in America. “Originally
severely injured” (SKEAT). “Enraged, furious” (JOHNSON).]
1369. CHAUCER, _Troilus_ [SKEAT, 1894], line 479. Ne made him thus in
armes for to MADDE.
1593. SHAKSPEARE, _Titus And._, iii. 1. 104. Had I but seen thy
picture in this plight, It would have MADDED me. _Ibid._, iii. 1. 223.
If the winds rage doth not the sea wax MAD.
1596. JONSON, _Every Man in His Humour_, iv. 1. You’d MAD the
patient’st body in the world.
1607. MIDDLETON, _Your Five Gallants_ [DE VERE]. They are MAD; she
graced me with one private minute above their fortunes.
1611. _Acts_ xxvi. 11 [Authorised Version].—And being exceeding MAD
against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
1667. PEPYS, _Diary_, iv. 482 [BICKERS, 1875]. The king is MAD at her
entertaining Jermin, and she is MAD at Jermin’s going to marry from
her, so they are all MAD; and so the kingdom is governed.
1816. PICKERING, _Collection of Words, &c._, s.v. MAD, in the sense of
“angry,” is considered as a low word in this country, and at the
present day is never used except in very familiar conversation.
1824. R. B. PEAKE, _Americans Abroad_, i. 1. I guess—I’m MADDED, but
I’ll bite in my breath a bit—not that I’m sitch a tarnation fool as to
believe all you tell me.
1848. RUXTON, _Life in the Far West_, p. 167. That nation is MAD.
1871. _New Era_, April [DE VERE]. The Squire’s MAD riz.
1891. N. GOULD, _Double Event_, p. 189. My eye! won’t he be just MAD.
*Made-beer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—College swipes bottled with
rice, a few raisins, sugar, and nutmeg to make it “up.”
*Magistrand*, _subs._ (Aberdeen).—A student in arts of the last
(the fourth) year. _Cf._ BEJAN.
*Make*, _verb_ (Winchester).—1. To appropriate.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life_, 46. In the matter of certain
articles ... supplied by the College, we used to put a liberal
interpretation on the eighth commandment, ... and it was considered
fair to MAKE them if you could.