A Collection of College Words and Customs Part 77

In the Gentleman's Magazine, 1795, p. 21, a writer says: "At dinner, to _size_ is to order for yourself any little luxury that may chance to tempt you in addition to the general fare, for which you are expected to pay the cook at the end of the term."

This word was formerly used in the older American colleges with the meaning given above, as will be seen by the following extracts from the laws of Harvard and Yale.

"When they come into town after commons, they may be allowed to _size_ a meal at the kitchen."--_Laws of Harv. Coll._, 1798, p.

39.

"At the close of each quarter, the Butler shall make up his bill against each student, in which every article _sized_ or taken up by him at the b.u.t.tery shall be particularly charged."--_Laws Yale Coll._, 1811, p. 31.

"As a college term," says the Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, "it is of very considerable antiquity. In the comedy called 'The Return from Parna.s.sus,' 1606, one of the character says, 'You that are one of the Devil's Fellow-Commoners; one that _sizeth_ the Devil's b.u.t.teries,' &c. Again, in the same: 'Fidlers, I use to _size_ my music, or go on the score for it.'"

_For_ is often used after the verb _size_, without changing the meaning of the expression.

The tables of the Undergraduates, arranged according to their respective years, are supplied with abundance of plain joints, and vegetables, and beer and ale _ad libitum_, besides which, soup, pastry, and cheese can be "_sized for_," that is, brought in portions to individuals at an extra charge.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 19.

_To size upon another_. To order extra food, and without permission charge it to another's account.

If any one shall _size upon another_, he shall be fined a s.h.i.+lling, and pay the Damage; and every Freshman sent [for victuals] must declare that he who sends him is the only Person to be charged.--_Laws Yale Coll._, 1774, p. 10.

SIZING. Extra food or drink ordered from the b.u.t.tery; the act of ordering extra food or drink from the b.u.t.tery.

Dr. Holyoke, who graduated at Harvard College in 1746, says: "The breakfast was two _sizings_ of bread and a cue of beer." Judge Wingate, who graduated a little later, says: "We were allowed at dinner a cue of beer, which was a half-pint, and a _sizing_ of bread, which I cannot describe to you. It was quite sufficient for one dinner."--_Peirce's Hist. Harv. Univ._, p. 219.

From more definite accounts it would seem that a sizing of biscuit was one biscuit, and a sizing of cracker, two crackers. A certain amount of food was allowed to each mess, and if any person wanted more than the allowance, it was the custom to tell the waiter to bring a sizing of whatever was wished, provided it was obtained from the commons kitchen; for this payment was made at the close of the term. A sizing of cheese was nearly an ounce, and a sizing of cider varied from a half-pint to a pint and a half.

The Steward shall, at the close of every quarter, immediately fill up the columns of commons and _sizings_, and shall deliver the bill, &c.--_Laws Harv. Coll._, 1798, p. 58.

The Butler shall frequently inspect his book of _sizings_.--_Ibid._, p. 62.

Whereas young scholars, to the dishonor of G.o.d, hinderance of their studies, and damage of their friends' estate, inconsiderately and intemperately are ready to abuse their liberty of _sizing_ besides their commons; therefore the Steward shall in no case permit any students whatever, under the degree of Masters of Arts, or Fellows, to expend or be provided for themselves or any townsmen any extraordinary commons, unless by the allowance of the President, &c., or in case of sickness.--Orders written 28th March, 1650.--_Quincy's Hist. Harv. Univ._, Vol. I. p. 583.

This term, together with the verb and noun _size_, which had been in use at Harvard and Yale Colleges since their foundation, has of late been little heard, and with the extinction of commons has, with the others, fallen wholly, and probably for ever, into disuse.

The use of this word and its collaterals is still retained in the University of Cambridge, Eng.

Along the wall you see two tables, which, though less carefully provided than the Fellows', are still served with tolerable decency, and go through a regular second course instead of the "_sizings_."--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p.

20.

SIZING PARTY. In the University of Cambridge, Eng., where this term is used, a "_sizing party_" says the Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, "differs from a supper in this; viz. at a sizing party every one of the guests contributes his _part_, i.e. orders what he pleases, at his own expense, to his friend's rooms,--'a _part_ of fowl' or duck; a roasted pigeon; 'a _part_ of apple pie.' A sober beaker of brandy, or rum, or hollands and water, concludes the entertainment. In our days, a bowl of bishop, or milk punch, with a chant, generally winds up the carousal."

SKIN. At Yale College, to obtain a knowledge of a lesson by hearing it read by another; also, to borrow another's ideas and present them as one's own; to plagiarize; to become possessed of information in an examination or a recitation by unfair or secret means. "In our examinations," says a correspondent, "many of the fellows cover the palms of their hands with dates, and when called upon for a given date, they read it off directly from their hands.

Such persons _skin_."

The tutor employs the crescent when it is evident that the lesson has been _skinned_, according to the college vocabulary, in which case he usually puts a minus sign after it, with the mark which he in all probability would have used had not the lesson been _skinned_.--_Yale Banger_, Nov. 1846.

Never _skin_ a lesson which it requires any ability to learn.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XV. p. 81.

He has pa.s.sively admitted what he has _skinned_ from other grammarians.--_Yale Banger_, Nov. 1846.

Perhaps the youth who so barefacedly _skinned_ the song referred to, fondly fancied, &c.--_The Tomahawk_, Nov. 1849.

He uttered that remarkable prophecy which Horace has so boldly _skinned_ and called his own.--_Burial of Euclid_, Nov. 1850.

A Pewter medal is awarded in the Senior Cla.s.s, for the most remarkable example of _skinned_ Composition.--_Burlesque Catalogue, Yale Coll._, 1852-53, p. 29.

Cla.s.sical men were continually tempted to "_skin_" (copy) the solutions of these examples.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng.

Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 381.

_To skin ahead_; at Hamilton College, to read a lesson over in the cla.s.s immediately before reciting.

SKIN. A lesson learned by hearing it read by another; borrowed ideas; anything plagiarized.

'T was plenty of _skin_ with a good deal of Bohn.[65]

_Songs, Biennial Jubilee, Yale Coll._, 1855.

SKINNING. Learning, or the act of learning, a lesson by hearing it read by another; plagiarizing.

Alas for our beloved orations! acquired by _skinning_, looking on, and ponies.--_Yale Banger_, Oct. 1848.

Barefaced copying from books and reviews in their compositions is familiar to our students, as much so as "_skinning_" their mathematical examples.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 394.

SKUNK. At Princeton College, to fail to pay a debt; used actively; e.g. to _skunk_ a tailor, i.e. not to pay him.

SLANG. To scold, chide, rebuke. The use of this word as a verb is in a measure peculiar to students.

These drones are posted separately as "not worthy to be cla.s.sed,"

and privately _slanged_ afterwards by the Master and Seniors.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 74.

"I am afraid of going to T------," you may hear it said; "he don't _slang_ his men enough."--_Ibid._, p. 148.

His vanity is sure to be speedily checked, and first of all by his private tutor, who "_slangs_" him for a mistake here or an inelegancy there.--_Ibid._, p. 388.

SLANGING. Abusing, chiding, blaming.

As he was not backward in _slanging_,--one of the requisites of a good coach,--he would give it to my unfortunate composition right and left.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p.

166.

SLEEPING OVER. A phrase equivalent to being absent from prayers.

You may see some who have just arisen from their beds, where they have enjoyed the luxury of "_sleeping over_."--_Harv. Reg._, p.