A Collection of College Words and Customs Part 22

CRAM. To prepare a student to pa.s.s an examination; to study in view of examination. In the latter sense used in American colleges.

In the latter [Euclid] it is hardly possible, at least not near so easy as in Logic, to present the semblance of preparation by learning questions and answers by rote:--in the cant phrase of undergraduates, by getting _crammed_.--_Whalely's Logic, Preface_.

For many weeks he "_crams_" him,--daily does he rehea.r.s.e.

_Poem before the Iadma of Harv. Coll._, 1850.

A cla.s.s of men arose whose business was to _cram_ the candidates.

--_Lit. World_, Vol. XII. p. 246.

In a wider sense, to prepare another, or one's self, by study, for any occasion.

The members of the bar were lounging about that tabooed precinct, some smoking, some talking and laughing, some poring over long, ill-written papers or large calf-bound books, and all big with the ponderous interests depending upon them, and the eloquence and learning with which they were "_crammed_" for the occasion.--_Talbot and Vernon_.

When he was to write, it was necessary to _cram_ him with the facts and points.--_F.K. Hunt's Fourth Estate_, 1850.

CRAM. All miscellaneous information about Ancient History, Geography, Antiquities, Law, &c.; all cla.s.sical matter not included under the heads of TRANSLATION and COMPOSITION, which can be learned by CRAMMING. Peculiar to the English Universities.--_Bristed_.

2. The same as CRAMMING, which see.

I have made him promise to give me four or five evenings of about half an hour's _cram_ each.--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 240.

It is not necessary to practise "_cram_" so outrageously as at some of the college examinations.--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. x.x.xV. p. 237.

3. A paper on which is written something necessary to be learned, previous to an examination.

"Take care what you light your cigars with," said Belton, "you'll be burning some of Tufton's _crams_: they are stuck all about the pictures."--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 223.

He puzzled himself with his _crams_ he had in his pocket, and copied what he did not understand.--_Ibid._, p. 279.

CRAMBAMBULI. A favorite drink among the students in the German universities, composed of burnt rum and sugar.

_Crambambuli_, das ist der t.i.tel Des Tranks, der sich bei uns bewahrt.

_Drinking song_.

To the next! let's have the _crambambuli_ first, however.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XII. p. 117.

CRAM BOOK. A book in which are laid down such topics as const.i.tute an examination, together with the requisite answers to the questions proposed on that occasion.

He in consequence engages a private tutor, and buys all the _cram books_ published for the occasion.--_Gradus ad Cantab._, p. 128.

CRAMINATION. A farcical word, signifying the same as _cramming_; the termination _tion_ being suffixed for the sake of mock dignity.

The ---- scholars.h.i.+p is awarded to the student in each Senior Cla.s.s who attends most to _cramination_ on the College course.--_Burlesque Catalogue_, Yale Coll., 1852-53, p. 28.

CRAM MAN. One who is cramming for an examination.

He has read all the black-lettered divinity in the Bodleian, and says that none of the _cram men_ shall have a chance with him.--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 274.

CRAMMER. One who prepares another for an examination.

The qualifications of a _crammer_ are given in the following extract from the Collegian's Guide.

"The first point, therefore, in which a crammer differs from other tutors, is in the selection of subjects. While another tutor would teach every part of the books given up, he virtually reduces their quant.i.ty, dwelling chiefly on the 'likely parts.'

"The second point in which a crammer excels is in fixing the attention, and reducing subjects to the comprehension of ill-formed and undisciplined minds.

"The third qualification of a crammer is a happy manner and address, to encourage the desponding, to animate the idle, and to make the exertions of the pupil continually increase in such a ratio, that he shall be wound up to concert pitch by the day of entering the schools."--pp. 231, 232.

CRAMMING. A cant term, in the British universities, for the act of preparing a student to pa.s.s an examination, by going over the topics with him beforehand, and furnis.h.i.+ng him with the requisite answers.--_Webster_.

The author of the Collegian's Guide, speaking of examinations, says: "First, we must observe that all examinations imply the existence of examiners, and examiners, like other mortal beings, lie open to the frauds of designing men, through the uniformity and sameness of their proceedings. This uniformity inventive men have a.n.a.lyzed and reduced to a system, founding thereon a certain science, and corresponding art, called _Cramming_."--p. 229.

The power of "_cramming_"--of filling the mind with knowledge hastily acquired for a particular occasion, and to be forgotten when that occasion is past--is a power not to be despised, and of much use in the world, especially at the bar.--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. x.x.xV. p. 237.

I shall never forget the torment I suffered in _cramming_ long lessons in Greek Grammar.--_d.i.c.kens's Household Words_, Vol. I. p.

192.

CRAM PAPER. A paper in which are inserted such questions as are generally asked at an examination. The manner in which these questions are obtained is explained in the following extract.

"Every pupil, after his examination, comes to thank him as a matter of course; and as every man, you know, is loquacious enough on such occasions, Tufton gets out of him all the questions he was asked in the schools; and according to these questions, he has moulded his _cram papers_."--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 239.

We should be puzzled to find any questions more absurd and unreasonable than those in the _cram papers_ in the college examination.--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. x.x.xV. p. 237.

CRIB. Probably a translation; a pony.

Of the "Odes and Epodes of Horace, translated literally and rhythmically" by W. Sewell, of Oxford, the editor of the Literary World remarks: "Useful as a '_crib_,' it is also poetical."--Vol.

VIII. p. 28.

CROW'S-FOOT. At Harvard College a badge formerly worn on the sleeve, resembling a crow's foot, to denote the cla.s.s to which a student belongs. In the regulations pa.s.sed April 29, 1822, for establis.h.i.+ng the style of dress among the students at Harvard College, we find the following. A part of the dress shall be "three crow's-feet, made of black silk cord, on the lower part of the sleeve of a Senior, two on that of a Junior, and one on that of a Soph.o.m.ore." The Freshmen were not allowed to wear the crow's-foot, and the custom is now discontinued, although an unsuccessful attempt was made to revive it a few years ago.

The Freshman scampers off at the first bell for the chapel, where, finding no brother student of a higher cla.s.s to encourage his punctuality, he crawls back to watch the starting of some one blessed with a _crow's-foot_, to act as vanguard.--_Harv. Reg._, p. 377.

The corded _crow's-feet_, and the collar square, The change and chance of earthly lot must share.

_Cla.s.s Poem at Harv. Coll._, 1835, p. 18.

What if the creature should arise,-- For he was stout and tall,-- And swallow down a Soph.o.m.ore, Coat, _crow's-foot_, cap, and all.

_Holmes's Poems_, 1850, p. 109.