*A*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ D, _infra._
*Abbey, The* (Durham).—The Cathedral. The boys of Durham
School (and they alone) speak, and always have spoken, of
the Cathedral as “the Abbey.” This is supposed to show
that the school dates from pre-Reformation days, though
its foundation is put down to the time of Henry VIII. The
Charity Commissioners admit the claim, and pay to the
Head-master a pension founded by Cardinal Langley in 1415
for the master of his school in Durham.
*Academia*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A select literary club: in
vogue where the Jesuit _Ratio Studiorum_ flourishes. Not now
existent at Stonyhurst, but it is in great vigour in America
and on the Continent.
*Ambulacrum*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The covered playground used
in wet weather.
*Arcady*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An arched portion of the new
front.
*Atramentarius*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The ink-pot
boy: an office once in vogue, the holder of it being
responsible for the cleanliness, &c., of the ink-pots in the
class-rooms. For this he was given a GOOD-DAY (_q.v._) at
the end of the year.
*B*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ D, _infra._
*Back-stop*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The wicket-keeper in ordinary
cricket.
*Bag*, _verb_ (Stonyhurst).—TO COB (_q.v._).
*Ball of Honour*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ BEGGAR’S-ACE.
*Bannet* (and *Bannet-fire*), _subs._ (Royal High School,
Edin.).—_See_ BONNET and BONNET-FIRE, _ante_: in each case
an error has crept in; the correct spelling is, of course,
_bannet_.
*Bate*, _adj._ (Harrow).—Angry.
*Beast*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—_See_ BRUTE.
*Beggar’s-ace* (and *Ball of Honour*), _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Two
extra balls given by the winning side in a game to enable
their opponents to catch up if possible.
*Bill*, _subs._ (Eton).—An old Etonian states that “in the BILL”
used to mean only that a boy was “complained of” to the
Head-master. _See_ ante.
*Black Monday* (Stonyhurst).—The day of re-opening of schools.
*Blandyke* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ ante. It may be interesting to
call attention to the connection between Stonyhurst and St.
Omers and many of the words and phrases occurring in this
vocabulary. They not only date from the Continental period,
but find their explanation in it alone. The College was
founded in 1592 at St. Omers, and continued without a break
(at Bruges and Liège) previous to the settlement in England
in 1794.
*Bloody Wars*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A common name for any
stiffness: such as that usually experienced at the beginning
of the football or cricket season: _e.g._ “I’ve got the
BLOODY WARS.”
*Blue*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante; concerning the
dress, I learn that the cap was given up many years ago.
There used to be a yellow petticoat under the blue skirt.
The boys also wear white “bands.”
*Bluebottle*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—A BLUE
(_q.v._): used by girls at Hertford. _See_ GRASSHOPPER
(Appendix) and HEDGEHOG (_ante_).
*Bottle*, _verb_ (Durham).—_See_ ante. Also TO BE BOTTLED = to
be in a fix.
*Bouncer*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A ball kicked from the hand
before it reaches the ground: Stonyhurst-football (_q.v._).
*Boy*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Specifically, a fag a grade above the
lowest form. _See_ ante. As a _verb_, TO BOY = to call for a
fag: all fags are summoned by a long drawn-out shout.
*Brick* (and *Clat*), _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The names given
to the two rival camps in a certain notorious
quasi-insurrection in the College some fifty years ago.
A full account appears in Fitzgerald’s _Stonyhurst
Memories_.
*Bug and Snail*, _subs._ phr. (Winchester).—The Natural History
Society.
*Bug-shooter*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A member of the School Corps.
*Bumf.* TO BUY A BUMF, _verb. phr._ (general).—To purchase a
newspaper. MATH-BUMF = mathematical paper. _See_ ante.
*Bunker*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—(1) A native; (2) a low fellow.
*Bus*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An extra nondescript class formed
chiefly of boys not born to study.
*Butt*, _subs._ (Dulwich).—The school tuck-shop. _See_ BUTTERY.
*Butter*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A boy known often to miss a
catch. Hence, as _verb_ = to miss a catch.
*Buzz*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To cry; to weep.
*C*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ D, _infra_.
*Cæsar’s-bridge* (Stonyhurst).—An old bridge over the Hodder.
Also CROMWELL’S-BRIDGE, though it is probable that Cromwell
crossed the Hodder higher up. _See_ HIGGER BRIG.
*Cage, The* (Royal High School, Edin.).—A covered area, between
two gates, in which prisoners at games are confined. Also,
as _verb_ = to put in this enclosure.
*Candle-keepers*, _subs._ (Winchester).—MANSFIELD in his
_School-Life at Winchester College_, p. 30 (_see_ quot.
1840, _ante_), says, “Why so called I have no idea,” but
_see_ ADAM’S _Wykehamica_ (1878), 418.
*Cards.* ON CARDS, _phr._ (Harrow).—A report on conduct taken to
the Head-master.
*Carthaginians* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ VICTORY-WALK.
*Champion*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A boy in a LOWER LINE (_q.v._)
class who, on account of age or size, joins in the games of
the HIGHER LINE (_q.v._). _Cf._ CHARITY-TAILS.
*Chisel*, _verb_ (Winchester).—To cheat.
*Clap*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital: Hertford).—To push in front
of. Whence CLAPPER = one who so pushes.
*Clat* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ BRICK.
*Clogs*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The boots made by the College
shoemaker.
*Common-key*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A key by which most of the
doors on the boys’ side of the house are opened.
*Concertatio*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An exhibition of class-work
given from time to time in the Community refectory by the
LOWER LINE (_q.v._) classes.
*Copy*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Formerly COPY = a prize-book, chosen
by the recipient. _See_ ante.
*Cork*, _verb_ (Eton).—To throw. [An Old Etonian informs me that
“Cork” and not CALK (_q.v._) is the correct orthography.]
*Cowshed, The* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. It should be
stated that THE COWSHED is a sort of pent-house near the
Warden’s residence which workmen use for divers purposes.
*Cricket-machine*, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A boy who studies cricket
scores with excessive care.
*Crock*, _subs._ (general).—An indifferent performer at a game.
*Crocked.* TO BE CROCKED, _verb. phr._ (general).—To be injured
at a game.
*Crow’s-wing* (and *-refectory*), _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The part
of the house in which the masters live and fare. _See_ CROW.
*Cut.* TO CUT IN, _verb. phr._ (Harrow).—If a boy misses his
place in the line at BILL (_q.v._), and tries to run in
irregularly, he is said TO CUT IN.
*D*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A division of “punishment bounds.”
Nominally the bounds were:—A = practically no bounds; B =
the ordinary bounds, the roads about a mile from the school;
C = punishment bounds, confinement to the cricket-fields and
playground; and D = confinement to the old school-house
playground, one of the commonest forms of punishment till
1876, when the present school-house was opened. C and D were
also known respectively as MONGREL and QUOD.
*Dame*, _subs._ (Eton and Harrow).—Originally many ladies kept
boarding-houses: hence the word. _See_ ante.
*Damnation-hill* (Harrow).—_See_ DAMNATION-CORNER and HOWSON and
WARNER, _Harrow School_ (1898), 80.
*Degerd*, _adj._ (Harrow).—Degraded. [Pronounced _Daygerd_.]
*Dicks’* (Stonyhurst).—The chief tuck-shop at the present time.
*Ditch, The* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. THE DITCH is one
of the three playgrounds, or rather open spaces, within the
walls of Christ’s Hospital: it takes its name from the old
City ditch which ran beneath it. The two others are the
“Hall Play,” and the “Garden.”
*Double-remove.* To get a DOUBLE-REMOVE, _verb. phr._
(Harrow).—To skip a form.
*Dox*, _subs._ (Tonbridge).—The head-master. [An abbreviation of
“doctor.”]
*Dub.* TO DUB IN, _verb. phr._ (Christ’s Hospital).—To
subscribe.
*Duke’s-room* (Stonyhurst).—The PHILOSOPHERS’ (_q.v._)
drawing-room.
*Early bed*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—In winter time the smaller
boys go to bed an hour before the rest. Elder boys may avail
themselves of this if sick: _e.g._ “There is no EARLY BED
to-night.”
*Extraordinary*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Classes in which extra
classics are read in the lower forms.
*Fag-poker*, _intj._ (Harrow: obsolete).—A cry to a fag to fetch
a stake for the fire.
1827. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_ [Harrow], p. 318. Poker and tongs
were unknown luxuries in the “play-room” at Butler’s; and the junior
fag, at the call of “FAG poker,” had to rush out in the cold to pull a
hedge-stake of substantial dimensions from the fence or faggot-stack.
*Feeder-cric* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. This game got its
name from the “feeder,” _i.e._ the thrower of the ball, and
the humble imitation that it was of cricket. The bat was a
stick like a “glorified” ruler, but cut away at one end to
resemble in some sort a cricket-bat. It was played against a
buttress, on which was marked a circle in chalk, which
served as a wicket. The ball was soft, with a hole in it; as
in rounders the batsman might insist on certain conditions
as to the method of “feeding,” and might refuse to recognise
a “feed” unreasonable in height.
*First-praise*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ REPORT.
*First-touch.* TO BE FIRST-TOUCH, _verb. phr._
(Stonyhurst).—To be first in reaching the scene
of a game, a place in which was secured by
touching some object, as a handball, a wicket,
&c.
*Flab*, _subs._ 1. (Christ’s Hospital).—Butter.
2. (Stonyhurst).—A boy who does not play in
any of the regular (cricket) matches. For
such a practice net is provided, known as
the FLAB’S-NET.
*Fob*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To put on
carelessly: as bands or buttons, without
trouble, to look right for a minute or so.
*Forcing*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Dribbling. _See_
STONYHURST-FOOTBALL.
*Form-beak*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A form-master. _See_
BEAK.
*Form-game*, _subs._ (Harrow: obsolete).—At
football, the games arranged in grades of
ability, and not by Houses. They were named
on the same principle as the school is
arranged—Sixth Form game, Fifth Form game,
and so on.
*Forty*, _subs._ (Felsted).—A division of the school
for football or cricket. Each FORTY has its own
ground.
*Fotch*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A blow on the
face. Also as _verb_ = to strike.
*Fox*, _verb_ (Stonyhurst).—To pretend to be ill.
*Frart*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A potato.
*Fug*, _subs._ (Harrow).—_See_ ante. The name is now
given to a diminutive Association ball: formerly
one of hair and chamois-leather.
*Fungi*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital)—India-rubber.
*Gomer*, _subs._ (Winchester).—_See_ ante, sense 2.
I am informed that there is yet another usage.
GOMERS = a suit of clothes in which to go home.
[Because College men wear gowns.]
*Goose-match*, _subs._ (Harrow).—_See_ ante, and
quot.
1898. S. W. GORE, _Harrow School_, 225. Harrow is, I
believe, one of the few schools where cricket is played in
the Michaelmas term, when the traditional “GOOSE” MATCH is
played. This was started on the 22nd of September 1849 by
Mr. C. O. Eaton.
*Grammar-match*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A football
match in which the members of the highest class
of the LOWER LINE (_q.v._)—GRAMMAR (_q.v._)—play
the lower classes combined.
*Grasshopper*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital:
Hertford).—A BLUE-girl: used by boys at
Hertford. _See_ BLUEBOTTLE (Appendix) and
HEDGEHOG (_ante_).
*Great Figures* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ FIGURES, _ante_.
*Grecian*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Add
following to 1871 quot.:—
Then on leaving the school for college they obtain a gift
of £60 for clothing and outfit, and an allowance of £70 a
year while at college. Nor do they seem to owe any further
allegiance in after life to Christ’s Hospital. For
instance, many lads are educated specially for the navy,
and are distinguished from the others by wearing a metal
badge on the shoulder, but on leaving Christ’s they do not
necessarily enter maritime life.
*Head.* HEAD OF THE LINE, _subs. phr._
(Stonyhurst).—The Captain of the School.
*Hedgehog* (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ BLUEBOTTLE and
GRASSHOPPER (Appendix).
*Hell*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A well-known hazard on
the golf links: another is called PURGATORY.
*Henner*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A
challenge to do something difficult, which the
challenger must first do himself: _e.g._ “Here’s
a HENNER for you!” [Probably from Old Scots
_hain_.]
*Higger Brig*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A bridge over
the Hodder. It was by the old bridge at this
point that Cromwell crossed on his way to
Stonyhurst Hall, though some say it was at
CÆSAR’S BRIDGE (_q.v._). [Derived from an
attempt to pronounce “Higher Bridge” in the
local fashion.]
*Hopgarth*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A part
of the Gardens.
*House-beak*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A master. _See_ BEAK
and FORM-BEAK.
*Immunity-card*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_
TOLLY-TICKET.
*In.* ALL IN, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—A direction
given (1) at end of recreation; and (2) to
stay indoors at recreation time when wet.
*Ink-pot Boy* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ ATRAMENTARIUS.
*Jicker*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—(1) The
juice of a HIGH (_q.v._). [It is suggested
that this is a “portmanteau word”—from _juice_
and _liquor_.] Also (2) = blacking.
*Jickery*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Big: _e.g._
“You’re in for a JICKERY row.” [Query =
overflowing, like the JICKER (juice) of a “high”
(fruit tart).]
*Jiffs, The* (Christ’s Hospital).—THE JIFFS are
about the oldest part of the Hospital building.
The name is given to cloisters lying on the left
hand as one enters from Christ Church passage.
They are at a lower level, and are reached by
four steps. It was the only part not burned in
the Great Fire. The rooms above were destroyed.
[Suggested derivations are:—(1) from “Grey
Friars” = G.F.’s; and (2) from a beadle,
Geoffrey—Geoff’s—Jiffs.]
*Joseph*, _subs._ (Harrow: obsolete).—Generic for
boy: _e.g._ BEETLE-JOSEPH = an entomological
collector; MUSIC-JOSEPH = a boy who studied
music, and so forth.
*Keen*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—Good: _e.g._
“jolly KEEN” = very good.
*Kenna’s-day* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ DAY, _ante_.
*King*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.).—A game
peculiar to the school. The players range
themselves on one side of the playground, one
going into the centre and calling “King!” The
centre player endeavours to catch some one, who
then joins him, and this goes on till all are
caught. A rush is then made for the side, the
last to reach it taking the centre place in a
new game. It forms an excellent training for
football and a source of revenue to tailors.
*Lady Gallery* (Stonyhurst).—A gallery in which is a
statue of the Blessed Virgin.
*Lamm.* TO LAMM IN, _verb. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_
PEG IN.
*Last-quarter*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An interval at
the end of long recreations for toilet purposes,
&c., before studies or other duties: _e.g._ “Is
there LAST-QUARTER after this recreation?”
*Leeming’s Knot* (Stonyhurst).—A ditch or hole in a
neighbouring wood. [From some local farmer who
is said to have jumped into it.]
*Little Man*, _subs._ (Eton).—_See_ ante: this term,
I am informed, is only applied to one particular
man in a certain shop.
*Lo* (Felsted).—_See_ FAIN LO.
*Long Litany Lane* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A lane
near the College.
*Long Sleep*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A longer time
than usual in bed: _e.g._ “There will be LONG
SLEEP to-morrow,” “May I have LONG SLEEP?”
*Long-soft*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A long, low
bounce: STONYHURST-FOOTBALL (_q.v._).
*Lord’s.* TO BE IN LORD’S, _verb. phr._
(Winchester).—To be a member of the first Eleven
at cricket, dating from the old Public School
matches at Lord’s between Winchester, Harrow,
and Eton. Whence LORD’S-EX = the Exeat for the
Eton and Harrow match.
*Lounge*, _subs._ (Eton).—Both present and past Eton
schoolmen inform me that, as far as they know,
this word was, and is, never used.
*Love-lane* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A road near the
College.
*Low*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—There are two
sorts of fruit pies sold at the school shop,
called respectively, according to their shape,
“HIGH” and “LOW,” the word “pie” being generally
omitted.
*Magazine*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The dormitory of
the smaller boys in the College. Once a trunk
room.
*Mathemat*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante,
and add following to quot. 1895:—
The most distinctive feature in the MATHEMAT life was the
yearly “going to Court.” Our hair was trimmed and brushed
for the occasion by the Hospital barber, buttonholes and
gloves lavished on us. When we went to Buckingham Palace
we drove five in a carriage, the redundant gentleman being
literally and metaphorically sat upon by his justly
indignant comrades. But more interesting were our visits
to Windsor, with the march from the station to the Castle,
the long weary waiting in endless corridors and gorgeous
ante-chambers, the well-earned lunch, with John Brown
peeping in at the door; then Her Majesty’s inspection of
our drawings; and finally, our free range over the Castle
and toilsome ascent of the Round Tower. I remember the
following circumstance: One MATHEMAT exhibited a painting
of a ship still building. Prince George of Wales remarked
to his brother, “What a ‘rummy’ ship,” at which the
exhibitor laughed, causing the elder Prince to exclaim,
“Look, George, he’s laughing at you.”
*Mayfair* (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A walk in the
playground. _Cf._ BOND-STREET.
*Meeter*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A successful kick at
a ball coming towards the one who kicks. _See_
STONYHURST-FOOTBALL.
*Mob*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A move from one
Form to another.
*Mongrel* (Felsted).—_See_ D (Appendix).
*Monkey.* MONKEY-ROOM (Stonyhurst).—A lumber-room:
chiefly used as a stable for bicycles.
*Mull*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A fight.
*Nicks*, _intj._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ ante. Also used
at Stonyhurst by scouts at sight of a Prefect.
*Nip’s-night*, _subs._ (Felsted).—The annual
entertainment for the village people. [_Nip_ = a
rustic.]
*Nurse*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante.
Obsolete in London, but retained at Hertford.
*Officiate*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To
interfere: _i.e._ to be “officious.” _E.g._
“Don’t officiate.”
*On.* ALL ON, _phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The direction
given at the end of recreation. Also ALL IN.
*Passy*, _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—_See_ ante. Now
obsolete: the modern equivalent is VISH, which
_see_ (Appendix).
*Past*, _adv._ (Stonyhurst).—Beyond the goal line.
*Peg.* TO PEG IN, _verb. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—(1) To
throw in hard: of cricket. (2) To cane severely:
of corporal punishment: _e.g._ “Does So-and-so
PEG IN?” Also To LAMM IN.
*People*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Relations; visitors:
_e.g._ “I’ve got PEOPLE coming down.”
*Pepper-box*, _subs._ (Eton).—A buttress in
the original Fives Court on the Chapel
steps—reproduced in all Eton Fives Courts.
*Pester*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The special cab used to
convey boys with infectious diseases to SANNY
(_q.v._).
*Pet, The* (Felsted).—The petrifying stream: a small
brook near Felsted.
*Philathlet* (or *Phil*), _subs._ (Harrow).—_See_
PHIL, _ante_. Also the large school cricket
ground used for lower games.
*Philosopher’s-quarters*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The
part of the house in which the PHILOSOPHERS
(_q.v._) live.
*Pi*, _adj._ (originally Winchester).—_See_ ante.
This expression is now pretty general. Also
PI-JAW (or PI-GAS) = a serious admonition.
*Pog*, _subs._ (Felsted).—_See_ ante: the suggested
derivation is “Pig—pig-faced—pog.” “Put your
POG” was the usual direction to DRAWING-ROUND
(_q.v._).
*Post-office*, _verb_ (Harrow).—To promenade
the High Street. [Where is situated the
post-office.]
*Prefect’s-room*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The room in
which corporal punishment is inflicted. “To
visit the PREFECT’S-ROOM” has a recognised
significance. Also known as the TOLLY-SHOP.
*Prisoner’s-bars*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—Otherwise
known as “Prisoner’s-base.”
*Privates*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Private lessons.
*Purgatory*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ HELL.
*Purl* (or *Pearl*), _subs._ (Winchester).—A header.
Also as _verb_.
*Rabble*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The Vesper
Choir: _i.e._ the choir formed of boys not in
the College choir proper, who sing alternately
with the latter at Vespers.
*Reading-room*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An hour of
extra study after supper. So called from the
room in which this study may be done. “I am
going to Reading Room.”
*Rector’s Tower* (Stonyhurst).—A tower at the end of
the west wing. Also known as Parbrick Tower,
after the Rector who built it.
*Report*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The account of the
school work given by the Prefect of Studies in
the Boys’ Refectory, before the whole house
assembled, at the end of each term. The class
which wins most honour is said to get FIRST
PRAISE. After the Report the DISTINCTION LISTS
are read. _Cf._ DISTINGUISHED.
*Retreat*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A period of three
days annually devoted by the boys to practices
of piety.
*Romans* (Stonyhurst).—_See_ VICTORY-WALK.
*Rostrum*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A pulpit
formerly in the boys’ refectory: used for
reading during certain meals.
*Rotten.* BELLS GO ROTTEN, _phr._
(Winchester).—_See_ MANSFIELD, _School-Life at
Winchester_ (1866), 432.
*Roust*, _verb_ (Durham).—To kick.
*Sabbatine*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A
kind of academical exhibition given by one of
the HIGHER LINE (_q.v._) classes to the rest
of the Higher Line and visitors on a Saturday
afternoon. [From _Sabbatum_.]
*Sack.* TO HAVE (or GET) THE SACK, _verb. phr._
(Harrow).—To be dismissed from school for an
offence. A common enough word, but its specific
use at Harrow deserves mention.
*Sage*, _subs._ (Royal High School, Edin.:
obsolete).—A class.
*Sanny*, _subs._ (Harrow).—The School Sanatorium.
*Scaley*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A term of contempt:
applied to all foreigners.
*Sciff*, _verb_ (Christ’s Hospital).—To knock over.
*Sconse*, _subs._ and _adj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A
selfish fellow; selfish. _See_ SCAFF.
*Scratch* (Christ’s Hospital).—The matron’s servant.
*Scrub*, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A ball hit close to the
wall or ground: handball.
*Scug*, _subs._ (Eton).—A term of contempt for any
boy wanting in self-respect.
*Second-dinner*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—When a boy
for any reason has been unable to dine with the
rest, he is said to go to SECOND-DINNER.
*Second-tip*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A form
of STONYHURST-CRICKET (_q.v._), in which the
batsman had to run once at least in two hits.
*Second-washing*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The interval
allowed every day before dinner for toilet
purposes.
*Semmies* (or *Seminarians*), _subs._
(Stonyhurst).—Students at the Seminary or St.
Mary’s Hall.
*Semper* (Winchester).—_See_ ante. SEMPER TESTIS
also = “a boy always ready to support any
assertion of his friend.”
*Senior Philosopher*, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The head
and spokesman of the PHILOSOPHERS (_q.v._).
*Shag*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A share. Also
as _verb_.
*Shark*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A “cadger.”
Whence, as _verb_ = to make up to; to cadge.
*Shinner*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—A kick on the
shins. _See_ STONYHURST-FOOTBALL.
*Shop-boys*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—The boys
responsible for the shop in the “house.” It is
entirely in the boys’ own hands; the profits go
to the games club.
*Shuts*, _subs._ (Christ’s Hospital).—A “sell.” Also
as _intj._ = “Sold again!”
*Side.* BEHIND ONE’S SIDE, _phr._ (Winchester).—Said
of a man when nearer the opponents’ goal than
the player on his own side who last touched the
ball.
Also _see_ SWAGGER (Appendix).
*Sig*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A signature for
work: _e.g._ “To get a SIG.” _See_
SIGNED.
*Signed.* TO BE SIGNED, _verb. phr._
(Harrow).—To be excused work.
*Six-and-Six*, _subs._
(Winchester).—_See_ ante. Originally
one match yearly between College and
Commoners; now three matches between
College, Commoners, and Houses. Also
SIXES. _See_ APPLE-PIE DAY.
*Sixes*, _subs._ (Harrow).—Alternate six
balls in the Yard with another
batsman. Hence TO GO SIXES = to go
shares in anything.
*Skew* (Harrow).—_See_ ante. Also, as
_verb_ = to turn (or fail) in REP
(_q.v._).
*Skit*, _subs._ (Harrow).—A quantity.
*Slime*, _verb._ 1. (Felsted).—_See_
ante. To sneak in, out, or past.
Also as _subs._, TO DO A SLIME (even
in games) = to take a crafty
advantage.