Labyrinth (The), subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A part of the Garden.
Lag, subs. (Harrow).—The last. The “lag of the school,” the last boy in Bill-order (q.v.) in the school.
1881. Pascoe, Every-day Life in our Public Schools. Every morning the LAG junior prepares and brings to hall the list.
Lage, subs. (University: obsolete).—To wash. [Cf. the old cant term lagge = a bundle of clothes for washing.]
Lamb’s-tails, subs. (The Leys).—A cake sold at the tuck-shop.
Landies, subs. (Winchester: obsolete).—Gaiters. [From tradespeople—Landy and Currell—who supplied them.]
Land of Promises, subs. phr. (University).—See quot.
1823. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Land of Promises. The fair expectation cherished by a steady novice at Oxford.
Land of Sheepishness, subs. phr. (old University).—See quot.
1823. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Land of Sheepishness. Schoolboy’s bondage.
Largitate, subs. (The Leys).—Apple-pie. [From the College grace.]
Lash, verb (Christ’s Hospital).—To envy. Generally in imperative as a taunt.
1890. The Blue, Oct., “The Queen in the City.” Our lips LASH on learning that the “general bill of fare” contained 200 tureens of turtle, 200 bottles of sherbot (what is this?), 50 boiled turkeys, and oysters.
Late-play, subs. (Westminster).—A half-holiday or holiday beginning at noon. See Early Play.
Launch, verb (general).—See quots.
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester (1866), 218. Launch—To drag a boy out of bed, mattress, bed-clothes, and all.
1865. G. J. Berkeley, My Life, &c., i. 129. I had [at Sandhurst about 1815] to undergo the usual torments of being LAUNCHED, that is, having my bed reversed while I was asleep; of being thrown on the floor on my face, with the mattress on my back, and all my friends or foes dancing on my prostrate body.
Lawful Time, subs. (Winchester).—Recess; playtime.
Leave, subs. (general).—Leave of absence from school; a holiday.
Leaving-money, subs. (Eton). See quot.
1865. Etoniana, p. 70. The restrictions [temp. Eliz.] by which the masters were forbidden to take any fees (even from oppidans) was probably evaded, almost from the first, by the system then universal in all transactions of giving presents, under which heading the sons of wealthy parents soon began to pay pretty highly for their education. Traces of this arrangement remain in the custom still prevailing—not at all to the credit of the school—of presenting a sum as LEAVING-MONEY to the head-master and the private tutor. At what time assistant-masters were first appointed does not appear; but they were no doubt paid, up to a comparatively late date, entirely from such fees as the parents of those under their tuition chose to give them.
Lecker, subs. 1. (Oxford).—A lecture.
2. (Harrow).—The electric light.
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.