The Public School Word-book / A conribution to to a historical glossary of words phrases and turns of expression obsolete and in current use peculiar to our great public schools together with some that have been or are modish at the universities

by John Stephen Farmer

1608. Shakspeare, Antony and Cleopatra, iii. 11. Come, Let’s have one other GAUDY night; call to me All my sad captains; fill our bowls; once more Let’s mock the midnight bell.

1636. Suckling, Goblins [Dodsley, Old Plays (Reed), x. 143]. A foolish utensil of state, Which, like old plate upon a GAUDY day, ’s brought forth to make a show, and that is all.

1724. E. Coles, Eng. Dict. Gaudy days, college or Inns of Court festivals.

1754. B. Martin, Eng. Dict., 2nd ed. Gaudies, double commons, such as they have on GAUDY or grand DAYS in colleges.

1760. Foote, Minor, Act i. Dine at twelve, and regale, upon a GAUDY DAY, with buns and beer at Islington.

1803. Gradus ad Cantab., p. 122. Cut lectures ... give GAUDIES and spreads.

1820. Lamb, Elia (Oxford in the Vacation). Methought I a little grudged at the coalition of the better Jude with Simon—clubbing, as it were, their sanctities together, to make up one poor GAUDY-DAY between them.

1822. Nares, Glossary, s.v. Gaudy day or Night. A time of festivity and rejoicing. The expression is yet fully retained in the University of Oxford. Blount, in his Glossographia, speaks of a foolish derivation of the word from a judge Gaudy, said to have been the institutor of such days. But such days were held in all times, and did not want a judge to invent them.

1822. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xxiii. We had a carouse to your honour ... we fought, too, to finish off the GAUDY.

1878. Besant and Rice, By Celia’s Arbour, ch. xxxiii. Champagne ... goes equally well with a simple luncheon of cold chicken, and with the most elaborate GAUDY.