2. (Winchester: obsolete).—An exercise (said to have been invented by Dr. Gabell) which consists in writing Latin criticisms on some celebrated piece, in a book sent in about once a month. In the Parts below Sixth Book and Senior Part, the GAGS consisted in historical analysis. [An abbreviation of “gathering.”]
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 108. From time to time, also, they had to write ... an analysis of some historical work; these productions were called GATHERINGS (or GAGS).
Gain. See Election.
Gaits (Geits, Gytes, or Gites), subs. (Royal High School, Edin.).—The first, or lowest class. See Cats.
Gallery, subs. (Winchester).—A Commoner bedroom. [From a tradition of GALLERIES in Commoners.] Hence GALLERY NYMPH = a housemaid.
Gang, subs. (Felsted: obsolete).—A particular friend. From the ordinary meaning of the word, applied first to the two friends, then to each of them. Used only of “acute” friendship. Also as verb = to carry on such a friendship with another.
Garden, The (Stonyhurst).—The playgrounds, built on the site of part of the old garden, long kept this name. “The boys went to the GARDEN” = “into the playground”: obsolete.
Gater, subs. (Winchester: obsolete).—A plunge head foremost into a POT (q.v.).
Gates, subs. (University).—The being forbidden to pass outside the gate of a college. Hence as verb = to confine wholly or during certain hours within the college gate for some infraction of discipline. To BREAK GATES = to stay out of college after hours. Gate-bill (old) = the record of an undergraduate’s failure to be within the precincts of his college by a specified time at night.
1803. Gradus ad Cant., p. 128. To avoid GATE-BILLS he will be out at night as late as he pleases ... climb over the college wall, and fee his gyp well.