Dab, subs. (Harrow).—The entrance examination: held at the beginning of term.
To be a DAB = to be skilled at anything. Hence, the two entrance examinations, one at the end of term, and the other at the very beginning of the next, are the SKEW (q.v.) and the DAB respectively. The DAB offers no second chance; hence a bad candidate tries the “skew” first.
Dame, subs. (Eton).—A mathematical or other master (except a classical) who keeps a boarding-house for boys in College. Also (obsolete) at Harrow. See Appendix, and quot. 1867.
1786-1805. Tooke, Parley, 390, s.v. Battel. A term used at Eton for the small portion of food which in addition to the College allowance the Collegers receive from their DAMES.
1865. Etoniana, 133. Formerly these [boarding] houses were almost entirely kept by “DAMES” or “Dominies”—the latter being the old style when there was a male head of the establishment, though now the term “DAMES” applies to all without reference to sex. Tutors and assistant-masters used to live in most of these houses, but had no charge over the boys. Only the lower master and some of the senior assistant-masters kept houses of their own. There are now twenty boarding-houses kept by masters, and ten by “DAMES”—of whom four only are ladies.
1866-72. “Mac,” Sketchy Memories of Eton (1885). I am thankful to say that I did not attend the show. But I happened to see the World conducted back to his DAME’S, and the spectacle was gruesome. The punishment inflicted had been very considerable, and I do not think the World appeared in public for quite a fortnight.
1867. Collins, The Public Schools [Harrow], p. 293. All these [sixteen boarding-houses other than the head-master’s] are kept by assistant-masters, and form one considerable source of their income. No DAMES’ boarding-houses are now sanctioned; and for the good order of his establishment each master is responsible.
1890. Great Public Schools, 16. Until recently some of the boarding-houses were kept by assistant-masters, the remainder by “dominies” or “DAMES,” who took no part in the work of education, and had little or no disciplinary jurisdiction. The boys, therefore, who boarded in DAMES’ houses had as their tutors assistant-masters residing elsewhere. Now, although there remains only one female DAME, the teachers of mathematics, science, and French are for some purposes accounted DAMES.
Damnation-corner, subs. (Eton).—See quot., and Damnation-hill (Appendix).
1866-72. “Mac,” Sketchy Memories of Eton (1885). Meanwhile, “regardless of our doom, we little victims played,” or rather watched the play; we little knew what cruel fate awaited us, or that the present head-master of Eton and the Rev. F. W. Cornish lay in ambush for our outcoming behind that very sharp turn in the High Street, which, on account of its acute angle, and the consequent danger of being nailed in shirking in old days, was somewhat flippantly termed DAMNATION-CORNER.
Dancing Gallery, The (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The old name of the Picta Gallery.
1884. Stonyhurst Mag., i. 290. The gallery now known as “Our Lady’s Gallery,” which in former times was designated THE DANCING GALLERY. It is by competent judges pronounced to be one of the finest bits of “Baronial Gothic” architecture in England, but the door is quite a solecism, for it is of a much later design.
Dark Walk, The (Stonyhurst).—A long avenue of tall yew trees in the garden. Tradition says the last of the Shireburns was poisoned by eating some of the berries from these trees. Cf. Stonyhurst Mag., ii. 179; iv. 703.
1885. Stonyhurst Mag., i. 179. The DARK WALK formerly extended a considerable way nearer the house than now, and when the Jesuits came it was found necessary to encroach upon the gardens to make room for the playgrounds, and a certain part of the DARK WALK was taken in.
Darker (Harrow).—The photographic “dark-room”: formerly under the Science Schools.
Dark-lanthorn (Harrow).—See Jack-o’-Lantern.
Date-card, subs. (Haileybury).—See quot.
1890. Great Public Schools, 297. Besides the ordinary forms of punishment, there is the DATE-CARD, of which refractory or forgetful youths write out selected “twelves.” It is much more useful to know “Gutenberg prints from moveable type, 1453,” than to record “Infaudum, regina, jubes renovare dolorem.”
Daviesites (Charterhouse).—See Out-houses.
Day (Stonyhurst).—Rector’s Day, Provincial’s Day, General’s Day—whole holidays given in honour of superiors; in the two former instances accompanied by presentations of verses written by the boys. [The word “DAY” seems as peculiar as “PLACE” (q.v.). Cf. the “Three hundred-day,” given when the number of boys first reached three hundred; “Kenna’s Day,” on the occasion of the visit of Captain Kenna, V.C., to the College, &c.]
Day-boys, subs. (Cheltenham).—An exercise on the horizontal bar.
Dean, subs. (Winchester).—A small band of wood round a Bill-brighter (q.v.); that securing a fagot is called a Bishop (q.v.).
Debater, subs. (Harrow).—The school debating society.
Deeds (or Dees), subs. (Felsted).—Private prayers.
Deg, subs. and verb (The Leys).—To degrade; to depose. Hence, one who has forfeited rank or office by misconduct.
Degra, subs. (Charterhouse).—A degradation.
Degrade, verb (Christ’s Hospital).—To feel degradation: e.g. he is DEGRADED to do so-and-so.
Dep, subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—A deputy Grecian (q.v.), i.e. a boy in the form below the Grecians.
Deputy, subs. (Winchester).—The Junior Candlekeeper (q.v.), who had the organisation of the Fagging department, and assisted the Senior Candlekeeper in thrashing the Juniors in Hall.—Mansfield (c. 1840).
Derrywag, subs. (Harrow).—Paper used for parsing: ruled twenty lines down, and six across. [That is, “derivation paper.”]
Deten, subs. (King Edward’s, Birm.).—A card issued to a boy set down for Saturday afternoon detention. Also called a SOUP-TICKET.
Devor, subs. (Charterhouse).—Plum-cake. [From the Latin verb.]
Dex, subs. (Loretto).—A form of “small cricket” once extremely popular at Loretto. [The name originated with Andrew Lang, and was not intended to be complimentary to the game. Often called PUDDEX, owing to a mistaken derivation.]
Dibs (or Dobs), subs. (Sherborne).—Prayers.
Dic, subs. (Harrow).—A dictionary.
Dinge, subs. (Royal Military Academy).—A picture or painting.
Dip, subs. 1. (Westminster).—A pocket-inkstand.
1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 165. Two pen-knives, two pieces of india-rubber, two pencils, two pieces of sealing-wax, two pieces of penstring, two DIPS (little globular ink-bottles), two DIP-CORKS, two wedges, two pieces of gutta-percha (for putting on the points of foils), and any number of pens. [Contents of a Westminster fag’s pocket.]
2. (Felsted).—An “incandescent” electric lamp. Hence DIP-KEY = an electric light switch-key.
Dispar (or Disper), subs. (Winchester).—A portion; a share. See quot., and Cat’s-head.
1847. Halliwell, Arch. Words, s.v. Dispar ... A commons or share.
1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 22. Under the superintendence of the præfectus ollæ (prefect of tub), portions of beef, called DISPARS, were served out to the boys in messes of four, with a sufficiency of bread, and beer in large black jacks.
Distinction-breakfast, subs. (Stonyhurst).—See Good-breakfast.
Distinguished, adj. (Stonyhurst).—Said of a boy who obtains two-thirds of the marks in any examination. “Distinction” in the year’s work wins a prize, and term “distinctions” are otherwise rewarded.
Ditch (The), subs. (Christ’s Hospital).—See Appendix.
1854. The Blue [quoted in] July 1871. The Steward did not attempt to quiet us; he got us out of the Hall as quickly as he could, and we rushed to the Treasurer’s house in the DITCH, and cried “Shame” till we were tired.
Ditto-blues, subs. (Winchester).—A suit of clothes all of blue cloth.
Div, subs. (Harrow).—A “division”: e.g. Tique-div (q.v.).
Do, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A general name for minor and special suppers: usually given to some privileged class, or in reward for some extra work: e.g. Choir-DO; Magazine-DO (given to the staff and contributors to the School magazine). Cf. Good-supper and Good-breakfast. Whence DO-ROOM = the long room in which a DO is held. [As a rule words with the suffix “room” are modern; “PLACE” (q.v.) is the older form.]
Dock, verb (Winchester).—To erase: as by rubbing out, or by a stroke of the pen; to tear out: as leaves from a book. Also DOCK OUT.
Doctor, subs. (Winchester).—The Head-master.
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 27. The Head Master, or the Doctor, as he is always called, lives in “Commoners’ buildings.”
Dog-biscuit, subs. (Charterhouse).—A biscuit, which with a glass of milk, or (in winter) a cup of coffee, may be had before chapel at 7.30 A.M.
Dogger, verb (Charterhouse).—To cheat; to sell rubbish.
Dogs, intj. (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—The IIIrd Class: formerly used as was CATS (q.v.) of the IInd Class.
Dog-shooter, subs. (Royal Military Academy).—See quot.
1889. Barrere, Slang, Jargon, and Cant, p. 317. Cadets thus term a student who accelerates, that is, who, being pretty certain of not being able to obtain a commission in the engineers, or not caring for it, elects to join a superior class before the end of the term.
Dole, subs. (Winchester: obsolete).—A stratagem; a trick: as to get one out of bed. [From Latin dolus.]
Dolifier, subs. (Winchester).—One who contrives a trick. See Dole.
Dolphin, subs. (Harrow).—A boy who has passed a certain examination in swimming and diving: about the fifteen best, as a rule, are so named.
1890. Great Public Schools, p. 96. On the last Monday of the term there is a contest for the best swimmer and the best diver, a challenge cup being given for these events by Lord Ebrington. There are also contests for racing, picking up eggs, and to become “DOLPHINS,” and for a Humane Society medal.
Dome (or Doom), subs. (Sherborne).—A bedroom.
Domum, intj. (Winchester; obsolete).—The summons back from Hills: given by College Juniors. Also as in quot.
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester, 207. Domum—a Latin Canticle, supposed to have been written by a boy who was not allowed to go home for the holidays. The tradition says that he carved it on a tree, and then committed suicide. On the last Friday in Long Half, after Election, a kind of festival was held in the evening, when numbers of people came into College, and DOMUM was sung over and over again in School, Meads, and the principal Quadrangle ... at each place (p. 183) singing DOMUM louder than before, till at last the power failed, and the ladies, visitors, and superannuates went to recruit their energies for a brief period before going to the DOMUM-BALL at St. John’s rooms.
Domum-ball, subs. (Winchester).—A ball given by the superannuated College Prefects on the evening after the “men” go home for the Midsummer holidays.
Domum-day, subs. (Winchester).—Going-home day at Midsummer.
Don, subs. (University).—A fellow or officer of a college; whence the vulgar usage = an adept; a swell. [From Latin dominus, a lord, through the Spanish title.]
1665. Dryden, Indian Emperor, Epilogue, 21. For the great DONS of wit—Phœbus gives them full privilege alone, To damn all others, and cry up their own.
1698-1700. Ward, London Spy, pt. XIII. p. 299. Like the Great Old DONS of the Law, when they dance the Measures in an Inns-of-Court Hall upon the first day of Christmas.
1730. Jas. Miller, Humours of Oxford, i. p. 7 (2nd ed.). The old DONS ... will come cringing, cap in hand, to offer to show the ladies the curiosities of the college.
1826. Reynolds (“Peter Corcoran”), Song on the Fancy. Dull innocence! Twaddle on, Thy weary worshipper—and fain Would give thee up, to be a DON, And beat the watch in Drury Lane.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, ch. xi. Does not go much into society, except ... once or twice to the houses of great country DONS who dwell near him in the country.
c. 1880. Broadside Ballad, sung by Jenny Hill. “’Arry, ’Arry, There you are now, ’Arry, I say, ’Arry, by Jove, you are a DON.”
1891. Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 11. What the DONS can be about to allow boys ... to have a bottle of champagne each, and then “more,” I can not understand.
Dor, subs. (Old Westminster).—See quot. [To obtain a dor = to get leave to sleep.—Halliwell.]
1715. J. Kersey, English Dictionary. Sub voce, a term used at Westminster School for leave to sleep awhile.
Double, subs. 1. (Loretto).—A general assembly of the school. The first double is for morning prayers at 9.30 A.M. after first hour’s school. After prayers, sides for the day are arranged in Hall. The head boy holds a double after dinner, when the exercise of those not playing in regular games is arranged. [Originally summoned by a double bell.]
2. (Harrow).—A room shared by one other. See Single.
Double Puff, subs. phr. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—See quot.
1886. Stonyhurst Mag., iii. 18. Double puff, ... a game played after the fashion of “tip and run,” except that instead of a wicket and tennis ball a Stonyhurst cricket bat is used, and a ball about the size of an ordinary BANDY (q.v.) ball, made of soft material and covered with sheepskin, which made it very hard to hit far, and still harder either to catch, or to pick up and throw in.... The distance between the wickets is not as long as in wicket cricket; and the rule about bowling is the same as in Stonyhurst cricket, namely, under-arm and not waiting till the batsman is ready. It used to be played a good many years ago on Sunday afternoons, between Vespers and supper; and the community used to come out in large numbers to play it.
Double-ruled, subs. (Harrow).—Punishment paper. [Ruled double like a copy-book.]
Dough, subs. (general).—Pudding.
Doul, subs. (Shrewsbury and Durham).—A fag. Also as verb. Obsolete at Durham. Cf. Dowlings.
1867. Collins, The Public Schools [Shrewsbury], p. 250. Four boys are “put on” by rotation every week as general fags for the head common room, whose duties in modern days consist chiefly in fetching and carrying. These fags are called DOULS (δουλος) in the classical Shrewsbury vernacular.
Dove, subs. (Cambridge: obsolete).—A member of St. Catharine’s College.
1889. C. Whibley, Three Centuries of Cambridge Wit, p. xxix. It is said that the members of St. Catharine’s Hall were first of all called “Puritans” from the derivation of the name of their patroness from καθαίρειν. The “dove” being the emblem of purity, to change a name from “Puritans” to DOVES was but one short step.
Dowlings, subs. (Shrewsbury).—Football.
1883. Pascoe, Life at our Public Schools. There are four or five compulsory games a week (football) known as DOWLINGS (δουλος).
Down. To be down, verb. phr. (Winchester).—To be engaged in fagging: as in the cricket field, &c. A College usage.
Also see Go and Send.
Draw. To draw round, verb. phr. (Felsted).—Originally to bustle about; to chastise in a jocular way. Later, and usually = to smack on the face or head.
Dreep (or Dreip), subs. (Royal High School, Edin.).—A curiously dressed person: e.g. “That’s a funny-looking DREEP.”
Dribbler, subs. (Sherborne).—A weak-minded person.
Drifty, adj. (Felsted: obsolete).—Cold: e.g. “a DRIFTY day.”
Drive, verb (Felsted).—To be late, or nearly late, for a roll-call. Also as subs.: e.g. “He did a drive.”
Intj. (Felsted).—A contemptuous retort, signifying that a piece of news is stale: originally DRIVE UP! [The original usage.]
Dry-bob, subs. (Eton).—A boy who goes in for cricket rather than boating. See Wet-bob.
1839. Buckland [Macmillan’s Mag. (Nov. 1889), “Eton Fifty Years Ago”]. It was the ambition of most boys to be a wet-bob, and to be “in the boats.” The school was divided between wet-bobs and DRY-BOBS, the former taking their pleasure on the river, and the latter in the cricket-field.
Duchess’ Rooms (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A section of the old College once inhabited by a Dowager Duchess of Norfolk.
1885. Stonyhurst Mag., ii. 100. The whole of this building ... stood in what is now the back court.... It was entirely of wood and plaster, in the style denominated “post and pattern.” The Duchess of Norfolk, the last of the Shireburns, daughter of Sir Nicholas, resided in it, hence the name of THE DUCHESS’ ROOMS by which it was last known. She faced the front of the wooden building with stone, and inserted sash windows, a style then coming into fashion.
Dubs, adj. (Winchester).—Double.
Duck, subs. 1. (Winchester).—The face. To make a duck = to grimace. [Duck (var. dial.) = to bow.]
2. (Felsted).—A school matron.
3. (Harrow).—One of the House swimming four, upwards of sixteen. Whence DUCKLING = one under sixteen.
1890. Great Public Schools, p. 96. “Ducker” is open all the summer term, and for two weeks after the boys go back in September. For those who care for swimming there are inter-House swimming matches; and each House elects DUCKS (boys over sixteen) and DUCKLINGS (boys under sixteen) to compete for Cock-House.
Ducker, The (Harrow).—The school bathing-place beyond the Footer Fields: the largest artificial open-air bathing place in England. Originally the Duck-puddle. [Probably the first example of the “-ER” terminations: it is at least forty years old.]
1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 322. Bathing was always, until very lately, practised under difficulties at Harrow. The common bathing-place, known as DUCK-PUDDLE ... was a long piece of muddy water, varying from four to eight feet in depth. There, after it had been stirred up by all possible means into more of a puddle than usual, new boys were formally dipped.... To avoid mixing in the general wash at DUCK-PUDDLE, many boys used to go out to the Brent at Perivale, or even as far as Ellestree reservoir, for bathing; and these were favourite expeditions on the mornings of Saints’ days. But Dr. Vaughan had the old “puddle” lined with brick, and supplied with water by a steam-engine, to the great additional comfort of the bathers.
Ducks, subs. (Harrow).—Football knickerbockers. [Made of white “duck.”]
Dump, verb (Winchester).—To extinguish: as a candle. Ex. DUMP the TOLLY (q.v.). [Dump (Devon) = to knock heavily; to stump.]
Dungeons. Meet you in the dungeons, phr. (Royal High School, Edin.).—A challenge to fight. See Calton, and Campus Martius.
Dusthole, subs. (Cambridge: obsolete).—Sidney Sussex College.