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

Small, adj. (Harrow).—1. Under sixteen years of age: eligible to go in for SMALL events in the sports. See Big.

2. Applied to boarding-houses kept by some of the assistant masters, and strictly limited to seven or eight boys: a comparatively modern arrangement, having been instituted circa 1850.

Small-pill, subs. (The Leys).—A diminutive football; used on “runs.”

Smalls, subs. (Oxford).—The first examination.

1853. Bradley, Verdant Green, II. xi. The little gentleman was going in for his Degree, alias Great-go, alias Greats; and our hero for his first examination in literis humanioribus, alias Responsions, alias Little-go, alias SMALLS.

1863. Reade, Hard Cash.... Cramming for SMALLS.... Julia reminded her that SMALLS was the new word for LITTLE-GO.

Smoke. See Cobbler.

Smoker (or Smoke-shell), subs. (Royal Military Academy).—A chamber-mug.

Smug, subs. (general).—An ill-mannered, ill-dressed, or unpopular student. Also as verb = to keep indoors hard at work; whence also (as subs.) a hard worker.

Smuggler, subs. (Winchester).—A small lead-pencil pointed at both ends.