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

Miller (Harrow).—“The Milling Ground”: between the school-yard and Squash (q.v.) courts. Here all fights had to be conducted in public. The practice is extinct, and the ground is now used as a Morris-tube range.

Minister, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The superior responsible for the matériel: as food, servants, &c.

Minor, subs. (Eton).—A younger brother. Also Mi.

1864. Eton School-days, vii. “Let my MINOR pass, you fellows!” exclaimed Horsham.

1890. Felstedian, Feb., p. 2. I was born in the month of Tompkins MI.

Mitre, subs. (University).—A hat. See Tufts.

Moab, subs. 1. (University: obsolete).—A hat; specifically, the turban-shaped hat fashionable among ladies 1858-9. [From the Scripture phrase, “Moab is my wash-pot” (Ps. lx. 8).]

1864. Reader, Oct. 22. Moab, a ... hat.... University it is all over. We feel sure we know the undergraduate who coined the expression; he is now a solemn don delivering lectures in Cambridge.

1884. Graphic, 20th Sept., p. 307-2. The third, with his varnished boots, his stiff brown MOAB of the newest fashion, his well-displayed shirt-cuffs.

2. (Winchester).—See quot.