1877. Blanch, Blue Coat Boys, p. 80. All crugs will well remember,
etc.
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 cruggy-nailer.’]