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

Rabbiter, subs. (Winchester).—A blow, delivered by the side of the hand, on the back of the neck: as in killing a rabbit.

Rabbit-Skin, subs. (University).—The academical hood. Hence TO GET ONE’S RABBIT-SKIN = to obtain the B.A. degree. [Because trimmed with rabbit fur. Also CAT’S-SKIN.]

Rack, subs. (Winchester).—A DISPAR (q.v.), or portion consisting of a joint (or chop) from a neck or loin of mutton. [Rack (Halliwell) = the neck of mutton or pork; also (Johnson) = a neck of mutton cut for the table.]

1594. Lyly, Mother Bombie, iii. 4. Lu. And me thought there came in a leg of mutton. Dro. What, all grosse meat? a RACKE had beene dainty.

1706. Coles, Eng. Dict., s.v. Rack.... Probably from hracca, Saxon, the back of the head.

... May, Accomplished Cook, 57. Then again, put in the crag end of the RACK OF MUTTON to make the broth good. Ibid., p. 25. Take two joynts of mutton, RACK and loin.

Rag, subs. (University).—1. An undergraduate’s gown.

1899. Answers, 14th Jan., 1. 1. This matter of the RAG is hedged about with many unwritten laws. One who has mastered these will never go to breakfast in another man’s rooms in cap and gown.... Nor will he wear the RAG in the theatre, which is strictly barred.

2. A jollification.