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

2. (general).—To RUSTICATE (q.v.).

Shirk, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An old building of some dimensions, containing a number of private rooms; erected for temporary use, but since found of too much service to be demolished.

1884. Stonyhurst Mag., i. 277. Gothic architecture of all descriptions, including Elizabethan, was trampled out by the Renaissance (revived Greek), of which SHIRK is a very bad specimen (where it tries to be ornamental, as in its triangular pediment and the pilasters beside the larger window).

Verb. 1. (Eton).—To hide when liable to be caught out of bounds. Obsolete.

2. (Winchester).—See Hills.

Shirkster, subs. (Winchester).—One who shirks.

To shirk in, verb. phr. (Winchester).—To walk into water when bathing.

To shirk out, verb. phr. (Winchester).—To go out contrary to rules.

Shirt-sleevie, subs. (Loretto).—A dance; on winter Saturday evenings, and sometimes in the open air at the end of summer term. [The costume is rational de rigeur: a flannel shirt open at neck and flannel trousers—no coat or waistcoat may be worn.]

Shootabout, subs. (Charterhouse).—An irregular form of football.