*Shirkster*, _subs._ (Winchester).—One who shirks.
TO SHIRK IN, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To walk into water
when bathing.
TO SHIRK OUT, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To go out contrary
to rules.
*Shirt-sleevie*, _subs._ (Loretto).—A dance; on winter Saturday
evenings, and sometimes in the open air at the end of summer
term. [The costume is rational _de rigeur_: a flannel shirt
open at neck and flannel trousers—no coat or waistcoat may
be worn.]
*Shootabout*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—An irregular form of
football.
*Shooter*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A black morning coat: as
distinguished from the tail-coat worn by the Fifth and Sixth
Forms.
*Shorts*, _subs._ (general).—Flannel trousers; CUTS (_q.v._).
*Shot*, _intj._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A cry of warning at
the approach of a master.
OUT BY SHOT, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—At football when the ball
before going out hits one of the opposite side to the one
who last kicked. _See_ FORCE.
*Shuffle*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To pretend; to feign: as “to
SHUFFLE asleep.” Hence SHUFFLER.
*Shy*, _subs._ (Eton).—A point at the WALL (_q.v._) game.
*Siberia*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A section of the house containing
many private rooms. [From its supposed temperature in
winter.]
1889. _Felstedian_, July, 65. There lieth here a district which hath
the name SIBERIA: and also its people are called not Siberians, but
SIBERIA.
*Sick-house*, _subs._ (Winchester).—The College sanatorium,
which stands in SICK-HOUSE MEADS. _See_ also BOX-HOUSE and
BOX-BUILDINGS.
*Silver-fork*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A wooden skewer used as a
chop-stick when forks were scarce.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Silver-pence*, _subs._ (Westminster).—Small money rewards—which
were the pride of Westminsters in Cowper’s day—are still
continued. The coins are furnished to the school by the
Queen’s almoner in their unmilled state, prior to their
issue as currency. Some are given by the head-master every
week, and are valued quite as much as more substantial
prizes. Silver money is also furnished by the college
steward to the guests at the Elections dinners, that they
may be prepared to reward the epigrams; but this is the
ordinary coin of the realm.
*Sim*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A Simeonite, or member of the
Evangelical section of the Church of England. The modern
equivalent is PI-MAN (_q.v._). [From the Rev. CHARLES SIMEON
(1759-1836), fifty-four years Vicar of Holy Trinity,
Cambridge.]
1826. TODD, _The Sizar’s Table_ [WHIBLEY, _Cap and Gown_, 109]. Some
carnally given to women and wine, Some apostles of Simeon, all pure
and divine.
1853. BRISTED, _Eng. Univ._, 39. While passing for a terribly hard
reading-man, and a SIM of the straightest kind with the empty bottles.
*Simon*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—A cane. [Acts
ix. 43.]
*Sines*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Bread. A SINES = a small loaf.
*Single*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A room for exclusive use: thus
DOUBLE (_q.v._).
*Sink*, _subs._ (The Leys).—(1) A heavy feed; a “stodge.” Also
(2) one who indulges therein; a glutton.
*Sitter*, _subs._ (Oxford and Harrow).—A sitting-room.
*Six*, subs. (Oxford).—A W.C.
*Six-and-Six*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Football: six a side. _Cf._
TWENTY-TWO AND TWENTY-TWO. _See_ Appendix.
*Sixes*, _subs._ (The Leys).—Football teams for competition—six
a side. _See_ KID, and Appendix.
*Six of* ..., _phr._ (Harrow).—An order to the value of
sixpence. Thus SIX OF SAUSAGES WITH (archaic) =
sixpennyworth of sausages with potatoes.
*Sixpenny*, _subs._ (Eton).—A large field for football and
cricket. _See_ PLAYING-FIELDS.
1864. _Eton School-days_, vi. I tell you plainly, if you are not in
SIXPENNY after twelve, I will do my best to give you a hiding wherever
I meet you.
*Six-raps*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: recently obsolete).—A game
consisting chiefly in rapping balls across the playground to
be caught by others.
1887. _Stonyhurst Mag._, iii. 18, “Stonyhurst in the Fifties.” SIX
RAPS, it may be remarked, was in those days played with a miniature
Stonyhurst-cricket (_q.v._) ball.
*Size*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—An allowance of bread, &c., for a
particular price; but _see_ quots. Whence SIZINGS.
1592. NASHE, _Pierce Penilesse_ [_Works_, ii. 68]. The Maister Butler
of Pembrooke Hall, a farre better Scholler than thy selfe, (in my
iudgement) and one that sheweth more discretion and gouernment in
setting vp a SISE of Bread, than thou in all thy whole booke.
1605. SHAKSPEARE, _Lear_, ii. 4. To bandy hasty words, to scant my
SIZES.
1614. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER, _Wit at Several Weapons_, ii. To be so
strict A niggard to your commons, that you’re fain TO SIZE your belly
out with shoulder fees, With kidnies, rumps, &c.
1620. MINSHEU, _Dict._, s.v. SIZE. A farthing which schollers in
Cambridge have at the buttery, noted with the letter S.
1632. SHIRLEY, _Witty Fair One_, iv. 2. College! I have had a head in
most of the butteries of Cambridge, and it has been sconced to
purpose. I know what belongs to SIZING, and have answered to my cue in
my days.
1656. *BLOUNT*, _Glossographia_, ... SIZE.—A farthing’s worth of bread
or drink which scholars at Cambridge had at the buttery.
1773. HAWKINS, _Origin of the Drama_, iii. 271. You are still at
Cambridge with your SIZE cue.
1795. _Gent. Mag._, p. 21. In general, a SIZE is a small plateful of
any eatable; and at dinner, TO SIZE is to order for yourself any
little luxury that may chance to tempt you, in addition to the general
fare, for which you are expected to pay the cook at the end of the
term.
1823. NARES, _Glossary_, s.v. SIZE. To feed with SIZES, or small
scraps.
1853. BRISTED, _Five Years_, 20. Go through a regular second course
instead of the SIZINGS.
1864. HOTTEN, _Slang Dict._, s.v.
_Verb_ (Cambridge).—To order extras over and above the
usual commons at the dinner in College hall. Soup, pastry,
&c., are SIZINGS, and are paid for at a certain specified
rate per SIZE, or portion, to the college cook. Whence, to
pay one’s share of the expense: as at a supper-party.
SIZING-PARTY = a number of students who contribute each
his own part towards a supper, &c.
1785. GROSE, _Vulg. Tongue_, s.v. SIZE ... If a man asks you to sup he
treats you: if TO SIZE, you pay for what you eat, liquors only being
provided by the inviter.
1853. BRISTED, _Eng. Univ._, 19. Soup, pastry, and cheese can be SIZED
FOR.
*Sizer* (or SIZAR), _subs._ (Cambridge).—A poor scholar. They
were elected annually; paid rent for rooms and other fees on
a lower scale than ordinary students; and got their dinners
including sizings _(see_ SIZE, _subs._ and _verb_) from what
was left at the Upper or Fellows’ table, free, or nearly so.
They were equivalent to the BATTLERS (_q.v._) or SERVITORS
(_q.v._) of Oxford.
1574. [R. W. CHURCH, _Spenser_ (1888), ch. i. p. 9.] On the 20th of
May, he was admitted SIZAR, or serving clerk at Pembroke Hall.
1670. J. EACHARD, _Contempt of the Clergy_ [ARBER’S _Garner_, vol.
vii. p. 257]. They took therefore, heretofore, a very good method to
prevent SIZARS overheating their brains. Bed-making, chamber-sweeping,
and water-fetching were doubtless great preservatives against too much
vain philosophy.
1779. JOHNSON, _Life of Milton_, Par. 7. He was ... removed in the
beginning of his sixteenth year to Christ’s College in Cambridge,
where he entered a SIZAR, Feb. 12, 1624.
1820. LAMB, _Elia_ (_Oxford in the Long Vacation_). In moods of
humility I can be a SIZAR, or a Servitor. When the peacock vein rises,
I strut a Gentleman Commoner.
1840. LYTTON, _Money_, ii. 3. I was put to school—sent to college, a
SIZAR. Do you know what a SIZAR is? In pride he is a gentleman—in
knowledge he is a scholar—and he crawls about, amidst gentlemen and
scholars, with the livery of a pauper on his back!
1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. SIZER.... A student at
Cambridge whose expenses for living are partially provided by the
College, originally a servitor, as serving one of the Fellows. Each
Fellow of a College had one servitor allotted to him.
1857. MONCRIEFF, _Bashful Man_, ii. 4. _Collegian._ Who’s that fat
gentleman that’s just got in? _Coachman._ That fat gentleman’s a SIZER
from Corpus.
*Skew*, _subs._ (Harrow).—An entrance examination held on the
last Thursday of term. _See_ DAB, and Appendix.
*Ski* (or SCI), subs. (Westminster).—A plebeian; an outsider:
specifically the outer rabble of invaders of the territory
of Dean’s yard, belonging of right to the _gens togata_ as
Romans. [Said to be an abbreviation of VOLSCI.]
*Skimmer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A method of entering the water
when bathing: by just skimming beneath the surface, and
rising again immediately.—MANSFIELD (_c._ 1840).
*Skimmery*, _subs._ (Oxford).—St. Mary’s Hall.
1853. BRADLEY, _Verdant Green_, viii. I swopped the beggar to a
SKIMMERY man for regular slap-up sets of the ballet.
1860. G. and P. WHARTON, _Wits and Beaux of Society_, p. 427. After
leaving Westminster School he was sent to immortal SKIMMERY (St.
Mary’s Hall), Oxford.
*Skip*, _subs._ (Dublin).—A College servant: valet, messenger,
and waiter combined: the Oxford SCOUT (_q.v._), and at
Cambridge a GYP (_q.v._). Formerly (in general use) = a
footman.
1703. WARD, _London Spy_, Pt. VII. p. 151. As a Courtier’s Footman
when he meets his Brother SKIP in the middle of _Covent-garden_.
1754. MARTIN, _Eng. Dict._, s.v. SKIP.... A nickname for a footman.
1839. LEVER, _Harry Lorrequer_, ch. xiii. For the uninitiated I have
only to add that SKIP is the Trinity College [Dublin] appellation for
servant.
1842. _Tait’s Mag._, Oct., “Rem. College Life.” The SKIP, or according
to the Oxford etymology, the man-vulture, is not fit for his calling
who cannot time his business so as to be present simultaneously at
several places.
1849. THACKERAY, _Pendennis_, ch. xx. His wounded tutor, his many
duns, the SKIP and bedmaker who waited upon him.
*Skirmish.* TO SKIRMISH ON, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To run
home from HILLS (_q.v._) when it commenced to rain.
*Skug* (or *Scug*), _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ Appendix.
1889. DRAGE, _Cyril_, vii. Such a little SKUG, to use a word in use at
my tutor’s.
*Skull.* _See_ SCULL.
*Sky*, _verb_ (Harrow).—(1) To charge any one, or to knock down:
at football. Also (2) = to hit or throw anything away.
*Skyte*, _subs._ (Shrewsbury).—A day boy. [Σχυθαι]
*Slabs*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—A flat cake.
*Slack*, _verb_ (Durham).—To sell: specifically, to dispose of
property to a dealer in second-hand goods. [From the name of
a second-hand bookseller in Durham.]
*Slave-driver*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A fag-master: exclusively at
cricket.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 95. The upper ground on these days is
given up to practice at the nets for the Eleven and the “Sixth Form”
game, and to practice in fielding and catching. Boys below the Removes
have to fag for them, and these fags are managed by SLAVE-DRIVERS
(three or four boys appointed for the purpose).
*Sleath’s.* _See_ PLANKS.
*Slime*, _verb_ (Durham).—To try and cut games. Also = to loaf;
to lounge: _e.g._ SLIMING down town. _See_ App.
*Slog*, _subs._ (general).—A large slice.
_Verb_ (Stonyhurst).—At hockey to hit at the ball when the
right hand is less than a foot below the left on the stick.
*Sloggers*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—The second division of boats;
corresponding to the Oxford TORPIDS (_q.v._).
*Slosher*, _subs._ (Cheltenham).—An assistant in a
boarding-house charged with superintending dormitories,
evening work, &c.
*Slow*, _adv._ (Winchester).—Ignorant of Winchester NOTIONS
(_q.v._).
*Slum*, _verb_ (Derby).—To evade; to get out of anything, as
work. Also (University), to avoid observation by using
by-streets.
*Small*, _adj._ (Harrow).—1. Under sixteen years of age:
eligible to go in for SMALL events in the sports. _See_ BIG.
2. Applied to boarding-houses kept by some of the assistant
masters, and strictly limited to seven or eight boys: a
comparatively modern arrangement, having been instituted
_circa_ 1850.
*Small-pill*, _subs._ (The Leys).—A diminutive football; used on
“runs.”
*Smalls*, _subs._ (Oxford).—The first examination.
1853. *Bradley*, _Verdant Green_, II. xi. The little gentleman was
going in for his Degree, _alias_ Great-go, _alias_ Greats; and our
hero for his first examination _in literis humanioribus_, _alias_
Responsions, _alias_ Little-go, _alias_ SMALLS.
1863. READE, _Hard Cash._... Cramming for SMALLS.... Julia reminded
her that SMALLS was the new word for LITTLE-GO.
*Smoke.* _See_ COBBLER.
*Smoker* (or *Smoke-shell*), _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—A
chamber-mug.
*Smug*, _subs._ (general).—An ill-mannered, ill-dressed, or
unpopular student. Also as _verb_ = to keep indoors hard at
work; whence also (as _subs._) a hard worker.
*Smuggler*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A small lead-pencil pointed at
both ends.
*Snack*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A racket ball: formerly a
bat-fives ball. [SNACK-BALLS (Glouc.) = balls made of SNACK
(a dried fungus), which are very elastic and bounce well.]
*Snap-up*, _verb_ (Winchester).—_See_ quot.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 234.
SNAPPING UP for false quantities.—When up at Books, if any boy, when
translating, made a false quantity, any other boy (however low down in
the Part) who could first correct him was allowed to go up above him.
If, however, the SNAPPER-UP was himself wrong, he had to go to the
bottom of the Part.
*Snicks.* TO GO SNICKS, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To share.
*Snitch*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A term of contempt.
_Verb_ (Derby).—To hit in the eye.
*Sniw.* TO OFFER SNIW, _verb. phr._ (The Leys).—To cheek. [SNIW
= Snow.]
*Snob*, _subs._ 1. (University).—A townsman.
2. (Marlborough).—Small cricket: as two together, or at tip
and run.
*Snoke*, _subs._ (Durham: obsolete).—(1) An underhand person:
_e.g._ “He is a great SNOKE”; (2) an untoward circumstance:
_e.g._ “It was a great SNOKE, we lost the match.”
_Verb._ To inform: of an offence. Not necessarily “to
sneak,” because it could be used of a master reporting to
the Head-master.
1847. HALLIWELL, _Archaic Words_, s.v. SNOKE. To ferret out; to pry
into. _North._ SNOKE-HORNE, _Townley Myst._, p. 68, a sneaking fellow.
*Snook*, _verb_ (Shrewsbury).—(1) To do the whole of an
examination proper. Whence (2) to beat in argument or
repartee.
*Snooker*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—A newly-joined
cadet of the fourth class.
*Soap*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Cheese.
*Socius*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A chum; a companion.
_Verb_ (Winchester).—To accompany. [The School precept is
_Sociati omnes incedunto_.]
*Sock*, _subs._ 1. (Eton).—Edibles of any kind. Hence TO SOCK =
to eat outside regular meals: _e.g._ “We SOCKED Lyndsay
minor three times last week,” _i.e._ we gave him something
to eat outside his regular meals three times last week.
Whence SOCK = to give.
1881. PASCOE, _Everyday Life in our Public Schools_.... The
consumption of SOCK, too, in school was considerable, and on occasion
very conspicuous.
1883. BRINSLEY-RICHARDS, _Seven Years at Eton_.... We Eton fellows,
great and small, SOCKED prodigiously. By the way, I do not know whence
that term SOCK, as applied to what boys at some schools call “grub,”
and others “tick,” is derived; for I question the theory which makes
it spring from “suck.” I am rather disposed to accept the story that
at the beginning of this century, one of the men, who sold fruits and
tarts at the wall, got nicknamed SOCKS, in consequence of his having
discarded knee-breeches and stockings in favour of pants and short
hose. The man’s nickname might then have spread to his business and to
his wares by a process familiar to etymologists, till SOCKING came to
mean the purchase of good things not from SOCKS only, but from any
other vendor.
1889. BUCKLAND, _Eton Fifty Years Ago_ [_Macmillan’s Mag._, Nov.]. “My
governor has SOCKED me a book.”... A boy has also been heard to ask
another to SOCK him a construe of his lesson.
2. (Winchester).—To hit hard: especially at cricket. Also to
beat; to defeat: as in a game.
*Socker*, _subs._ (general).—Association football. _Cf._ RUGGER.
Also SOCCER.
1896. _Tonbridgian_, 339, 1124. Hartley has been playing very well
this season, and has also become a great half-back at SOCKER.
1897. _Felstedian_, Nov., p. 194. In _SOCCER_, with old Blues up, we
ought to be very strong.
*Sodality*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Higher Line SODALITY and Lower
Line SODALITY = two confraternities of which boys are
members; they meet at fixed times for devotions. A member is
called a SODALIST.
*Sodger* (or *Sojer*), _subs._ (Winchester).—The Latin cross (a
PERCHER, _q.v._) marked against a Præfect’s name when
absent.
1880. _Music of a Merry Heart_, 55. The books went up, and in due time
were returned to us after examination, with the most startling faults
indicated by a good big cross in the margin, which crosses, for some
reason, were known as SODGERS.
*Sodom*, _subs._ (Oxford).—Wadham College.
*Soft-ball*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Tennis.
*Sog*, _subs._ (Charterhouse and Winchester).—Twenty shillings;
a sovereign.
*Solo*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A solitary walk—without a SOCIUS
(_q.v._).
*Soph*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—A student of the second or third
year; the distinctions are: A first year man = FRESHMAN
(_q.v._); second year = Junior SOPH; third year = Senior
SOPH.
1870. GOODRICH [WEBSTER, _Unabridged_, s.v. SOPHOMOSE]. This word has
generally been considered an American barbarism, but it was probably
introduced into our country at a very early period from the University
of Cambridge, England. Among the cant terms at that University, as
given in the “_Gradus ad Cantabrigiam_,” we find SOPH-MOR as the next
distinctive appellation to Freshman. It is added that a writer in the
_Gentleman’s Magazine_ thinks Mor an abbreviation of the Greek μωρία,
introduced at a time when the “Encomium Moriæ,” the “Praise of Folly,”
by Erasmus, was so generally used. The ordinary derivation of the
word, from σοφός and μωρός would seem, therefore, to be incorrect. The
young SOPHS at Cambridge appear formerly to have received the adjunct
mor, μωρός, to their names, either as one they courted for the reason
mentioned above, or as one given them in sport for the supposed
exhibition of inflated feeling in entering upon their new honours. The
term thus implied seems to have passed at a very early period from
Cambridge in England to Cambridge in America, as the next distinctive
appellation to Freshmen, and thus to have been attached to the second
of the four classes in our American colleges, while it has now almost
ceased to be known, even as a cant word, at the parent institution in
England from whence it came.
*Sorry*, _intj._ (Winchester).—“I beg your pardon.” [Not now
confined to Winchester.—WRENCH.]
*Soup-ticket*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A card issued to
a boy set down for Saturday afternoon detention: a DETÉN
(_q.v._).
*Spadge*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—An affected walk. Also as
_verb._ Formerly merely “to walk.” [_Cf._ Lat. _spatiari_;
Ger. _spatzieren_.]
*Spange*, _adj._ (Royal Military Academy).—New; elegant; smart:
_e.g._ “to look SPANGE,” “a SPANGE uniform.”
*Sparrow’s-hall*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The old
infirmary. [The head-bailiff was one Sparrow, and here the
servants received their wages from him.]
*Spec*, _subs._ (Winchester).—Something enjoyable or pleasant; a
good thing. ON SPEC = in consequence.
1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPEC.... What a SPEC! My
pitch-up have turned up, and I’ve got leave-out ON SPEC.
*Speecher*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The speech-day: usually the first
Thursday in July, when prizes are given. Greek, German, or
French plays are acted, and there is also an afternoon
concert. THE SPEECHER = the Speech-room, built in 1871.
*Speedyman*, _subs._ (Winchester: obsolete).—The messenger who
brought the news of a vacancy at New College, Oxford. Whence
SPED TO NEW COLLEGE = elected to a scholarship.
*Speg*, _adj._ (Winchester: obsolete).—Smart.
*Spending-house*, _subs._ (Rugby).—A pastry-cook’s: the custom,
until Dr. Arnold abolished it, had been for the boys to take
their morning and evening buttery commons of bread and cold
milk to one of these establishments, and with “extras,” such
as tea, coffee, butter, &c., to obtain a more decent meal
than was otherwise possible.
1890. _Great Public Schools_, p. 150. Every boy had a SPENDING-HOUSE,
as it was called, at one of the confectioners’ in High Street, where
he left his books, bat, fishing-rod, &c.—to save a journey to his
boarding-house—and spent his spare cash. It was in the back-yards of
these houses that dogs and guns were kept.
*Spess*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A specimen: a term of contempt.
1889. _Felstedian_, July, 66. Others ... calling out ... frightful
SPESSES, which word is in our language “specimens”; but as this is too
long for their memories, they have shortened it.
*Spin*, _verb_ (Royal Military Academy).—To reject: as to an
examination; to pluck; to plough.
*Spink*, _subs._ (Royal Military Academy).—Milk: specifically,
condensed milk.
*Spinning-house*, _subs._ (University).—The prison of the
Vice-Chancellor’s court.
*Spital Sermons* (Christ’s Hospital).—Once the chief feature of
the Easter festivities of this ancient foundation. _See_
Appendix.
1834. TROLLOPE, _History of Christ’s Hospital_ [condensed and
annotated by the editor of _The Blue_]. All Easter festivities
connected with the School seem to be concentrated in the SPITAL
SERMONS. The great antiquity of those discourses may be judged from
the fact, that at the Easter following the foundation and opening of
the School [1552], its members were present at St. Mary Spital. At
this their first appearance at the Spital the boys appeared in that
costume which, with the exception of the hats, still distinguishes
them. A custom had long prevailed, according to which some learned
person was appointed yearly by the Bishop of London to preach at
Paul’s Cross on Good Friday on the Passion; and on the Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday following, three others were appointed in like
manner to uphold the doctrine of the Resurrection, at the Pulpit Cross
in the Spital. On the Sunday following, a fifth preached at Paul’s
Cross, passed judgment on the merits of those who had preceded him,
and concluded the ceremony with an appropriate exhortation from
himself. What this passing of judgment meant, and what purpose it
served, is rather hard to decide. It would almost seem as if some
prize or reward were offered for the best sermon. The SPITAL SERMONS
are certainly the oldest institution of their kind in London, and
probably in England. But they have naturally been subject to great
changes. At first there were five, two at Paul’s Cross and three at
St. Mary Spital. Many alterations followed; for instance, the Great
Rebellion put an end for a time both to pulpit and sermons, until the
Restoration, when they were revived, that is, the three SPITAL SERMONS
proper (for the judge disappears) at St. Bride’s Church, which still
stands in Fleet Street. Nothing interrupted them again until 1797,
when the preachers once more were removed to Christ’s Church, where
the SERMONS, now only two in number, have been regularly delivered,
until within the memory of many still in the school [1890] the
Corporation reduced their number to a minimum; and now one SPITAL
SERMON instead of five is listened to, not at St. Mary Spital, or
Paul’s Cross, or St. Bride’s, but at Christ Church, Newgate Street.
Though the scene has not changed since 1797, the accompanying ceremony
has been sadly mutilated. In my [Mr. Trollope’s] time, instead of the
subjects which were wont to be discussed from the Pulpit Cross of St.
Mary Spital, discourses were delivered commemorative of the five
Sister Hospitals of Christ’s Hospital, St. Thomas’, St. Bartholomew’s,
Bridewell, and Bethlehem. This feature has almost entirely
disappeared; the reverend preachers now pass by, or casually mention,
the original reason for their presence in the handsome pulpit of
Christ Church. “On each day the boys of Christ’s Hospital, with the
legend ‘He is risen’ attached to their left shoulder, form part of the
Civic procession; walking on the first day in the order of their
schools, the King’s boys bearing their nautical instruments.” [These
King’s boys are, of course, the Mathemats, who seem in earlier days,
before the development of the Classical side, and the chances of a
University career, to have been the most prominent part of the
School.] They assembled on Monday in the Square of the Royal Exchange,
and on their return were joined by the Lord Mayor and Civic
procession, with the ladies. On Tuesday they proceeded direct to the
Mansion House; each boy received a new sixpence, each monitor a
shilling, and each Grecian half a guinea. [It appears that Alderman
Thomson, whose portrait hangs in the Hall, whose name is engraven on
the walls of the Hospital, and to whom we owe the Classical and
Mathematical Medals, doubled the donation in every case, and his
successors have not returned to the original amount.] The boys were
again followed by the Civic authorities, without the ladies, to Christ
Church, where a Junior Bishop preached on Monday, and a clergyman
selected by the Lord Mayor (usually his chaplain) on Tuesday. But the
most interesting feature of all was that on both occasions an anthem
composed by one of the Grecians, and set to music by the organist, was
sung by the children.
*Spite*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To hate: to dislike.
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 235. When a
boy suffered some injury himself, in order to spite another person; or
having in some way injured another, received punishment, he was said
to be SPITING GABELL. Dr. Gabell was formerly Head-master, and the
extreme inexpediency of attempting to annoy him gave rise to the
proverb.
1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPITE. The word in
Wykehamical usage generally connoted the frame of mind rather than the
acts in which it finds expression. But the phrase “to SPITE Gabell”
describes the act popularly known as “cutting off your nose to SPITE
your face.”
*Splice*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To throw; to fling: as a missile.
*Sport*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To spread: as a baulk (or report);
to wear: as clothes; to provide: as a feast; to indulge in:
as smoking, walking, &c.—a general verb of action. Whence
SPORTING ACTION = an affected manner, gesture, or gait, or
betrayal of emotion. [_Sport_ (var. dial.) = to show, to
exhibit.]
*Sportings*, _subs._ (Charterhouse).—Clothes worn at the EXEAT
(_q.v._).
1900. TOD, _Charterhouse_, p. 102. The splendour of Exeat garb defies
description. It is enough to say that the Carthusian’s apparel then is
as costly as his purse will buy, and that he calls it SPORTINGS.
*Spree*, _adj._ (Winchester).—(1) Conceited; stuck-up: of
persons. (2) Smart; stylish; befitting a Wykehamist: of
dress, &c. [_Spree_ (Devon) = spruce, gay.]
_c._ 1840. MANSFIELD, _School-Life at Winchester_ (1866), 72. At the
end of the half year we used to have large entertainments called
“SPREE MESSES,” between Toy-time and Chapel, consisting of tea,
coffee, muffins, cakes, &c., the funds for which were generally
provided by fines inflicted during Toy-time for talking loud, slamming
the door, coming in without whistling (to show that it was not a
Master entering), improper language, &c. &c. Sometimes a SPREE MESS
was given by the boys about to leave at the end of that Half.
1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPREE.... As applied to
juniors, uppish; inclined to assume airs, or usurp privileges not
belonging to juniors. As applied to acts, permissible only to prefects
or those of senior standing.
*Spreeman*, _subs._ (Winchester).—A Junior who has to fag hard.
1891. WRENCH, _Winchester Word-Book_, s.v. SPREEMAN. A Commoner
Inferior, who, in consideration of his social status or long standing
in the School, was invested by Præfects with privileges similar to
those enjoyed by Candle-keepers in College.
*Squab* (or *Squob*), _verb_ (King Edward’s, Birm.).—To squeeze
by. [The foot is placed against a wall or desk, and the back
against the victim, who is similarly treated from the
opposite side by some one else, or pressed against a wall.]
Hence SQUAB-UP = “push,” generally. [_Squab_ (Devon) = to
squeeze, to knock, to beat.]
*Square.* TO SQUARE ROUND, _verb. phr._ (Winchester).—To make
room: as at a fire, &c.
*Squash*, _subs._ 1. (Stonyhurst).—A mellay (at football) of the
two sides round the goal-posts. A goal secured in this way
is called a “squash-goal.” Also Harrow.
1876. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Harrow], p. 312. The gravel cut
the leather case of the ball occasionally, as well as the hands and
faces of those who scrambled over it in a SQUASH, as that close
_mêlée_ is called, which Rugby men know as a “scrummage,” and Etonians
as a “rouge.”
1885. _Stonyhurst Mag._, i. 144. The second law on the Code enacts
that “no one may push, pull, charge, or trip another player.” How then
is a SQUASH GOAL to be accounted for?
2. (Harrow).—A game of racquets not played with a HARDER
(_q.v._), but with an indiarubber ball, which is also called
a SQUASH.
*Squashed-flies.* _See_ FLIES.
*Squeaky*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—High-pitched: of the
voice. _Cf._ GRUFF.
1844. _Reminis. of Christ’s Hospital_ [_The Blue_, Aug. 1874]. The
voices, in our own peculiar phraseology, being divided into two
classes—those who sang SQUEAKY and those who sang GRUFF. The monitors
were constantly on the look-out for boys with SQUEAKY voices, and did
any youth make himself at all prominent in this respect, down upon him
would pounce the monitor, forthwith to _transpose_ him to the organ
gallery, there to submit his musical abilities to a trial by the
organist. The latter was an elderly gentleman, inclined at times to be
rather irritable.
*Squealer*, _subs._ (Wellington).—A small boy.
*Squirm* (or *Squirt*), _subs._ (general).—An obnoxious boy.
*Squish*, _subs._ 1. (general).—Marmalade.