To have a roll on, verb. phr. (Shrewsbury).—See quot.
1877. Pascoe, Every-day Life, &c. Anything approaching swagger is severely rebuked; there is no more objectionable quality than that understood by the expression “He’s got such a horrid ROLL ON.”
To roll in, verb. phr. (Harrow: obs.).—See quot.
1867. Collins, The Public Schools, 316. Another ancient barbarism survived even long after Butler’s accession. There were in the head-master’s house two public rooms for the use of his boarders—the hall and the play-room. The latter was open to all, but the hall was regarded as a sort of club-room, which no boy was allowed to enter, except at dinner and supper time, until he had become a member by being ROLLED-IN. Any one who desired the privilege of admission (and none below the upper fifth were eligible), gave in his name to the head-boy some days beforehand, in order that due preparations might be made for the inauguration. Immediately a certain number of rolls (finds they were called—etymology unknown) were ordered at the baker’s, and rebaked every morning until they were pretty nearly as hard as pebbles. At nine o’clock on the morning fixed for the ROLLING-IN, the members of the hall ranged themselves on the long table which ran along one side of the room, each with his pile of these rolls before him, and a fag to pick them up. The candidate knelt, facing them, on a form close against the opposite wall, with his head resting on his hands, so as to guard the face, while they held, as well as they could, a plate on the top of the head by way of helmet. Thus protected, the head itself formed a mark for the very peculiar missiles which were ready to be aimed. When all was ready, a time-keeper, watch in hand, gave the word—“Now!” when fast and furiously—and very spitefully, if the boy was unpopular—the rolls were showered upon the devoted head for the space of one minute, neither more nor less. Such protection as the plate gave was soon lost by its being broken to pieces. It was, as may be imagined, a very severe ordeal, the bruises being very painful for weeks afterwards.
Roller, subs. (Oxford).—A roll-call.
Room, subs. (Stonyhurst).—In Stonyhurst nomenclature, ROOM as a place-name is modern. See Duchess’ Rooms, Duke’s Room, Place, &c.
Roosh, verb (Harrow).—To rush about.
Roost, verb (Derby).—To kick hard: at football. [? Root.]
Root-about, subs. (The Leys).—Promiscuous football practice. Also as verb.
Ropes, subs. (general).—A half-back at football.