Pony, subs. (general).—A translation; a CRIB (q.v.)—any adventitious aid to study. Also as verb.
1832. Tour through College, 30. Their lexicons, PONIES, and textbooks were strewed round their lamps on the table.
1856. Hall, College Words, s.v. Pony. So called, it may be, from the fleetness and ease with which a skilful rider is enabled to pass over places which to a common plodder may present obstacles.
Poon, verb (Winchester).—To prop up a piece of furniture with a wedge under the leg.—Wrench.
Pop, subs. (Eton).—A club at Eton. Chiefly confined to Oppidans (q.v.), though Collegers (q.v.) are sometimes elected.
1865. Etoniana, 207. “The Eton Society,” for reading and debates, has had a longer and more successful existence than the magazines. It is better known by its sobriquet of “POP,” supposed to be a contraction of Popina, the rooms where it was held for many years having been over a cookshop or confectioner’s. It was first instituted in 1811, when Charles Fox Townshend (who was the elder brother of the late Marquess, and died young) was the first president, and it has gone on ever since with considerable popularity and success. The preparation of the speeches leads to a certain amount of historical reading for the purpose; but the chief attraction of “POP” lies in its being a sort of social club, where papers and reviews are taken in; and, as the numbers are strictly limited (originally twenty-two, since increased to twenty-eight), to be elected into the society gives a boy a certain degree of prestige in the school. In summer the debates are almost nominal, out-door attractions being too strong; but in winter they sometimes last for several hours, and are kept up with great spirit. The members are almost exclusively oppidans, this being one of the points where the jealousy between them and the collegers comes out very distinctly. A few of the latter are admitted, but only when they have some special claim to popularity.
Portionist. See Postmaster.
Poser, subs. (Winchester and Eton).—An examiner: formerly a bishop’s examining chaplain—at Eton for King’s College, and at Winchester for New College Scholarships and Exhibitions. Also APPOSER, OPPOSER, and OPPOSITOR. [Posen = to examine.—Prompt. Parv., 144.]
1574. Queen Elizabeth, Endorsement on Recommendation of Candidates for College Election, May 8. To our trustie and welbeloved the wardens of the new Colledges in Oxford and nere Winchester and other of them and to the OPPOSITORS and others having interest in the election of Scollers.
1603. Bacon, Discourse [1887]. Let his questions not be troublesome, for that is fit for a POSER.