1891. Wrench, Winchester Word-Book, s.v. Spec.... What a SPEC! My pitch-up have turned up, and I’ve got leave-out ON SPEC.
Speecher, subs. (Harrow).—The speech-day: usually the first Thursday in July, when prizes are given. Greek, German, or French plays are acted, and there is also an afternoon concert. The speecher = the Speech-room, built in 1871.
Speedyman, subs. (Winchester: obsolete).—The messenger who brought the news of a vacancy at New College, Oxford. Whence sped to New College = elected to a scholarship.
Speg, adj. (Winchester: obsolete).—Smart.
Spending-house, subs. (Rugby).—A pastry-cook’s: the custom, until Dr. Arnold abolished it, had been for the boys to take their morning and evening buttery commons of bread and cold milk to one of these establishments, and with “extras,” such as tea, coffee, butter, &c., to obtain a more decent meal than was otherwise possible.
1890. Great Public Schools, p. 150. Every boy had a SPENDING-HOUSE, as it was called, at one of the confectioners’ in High Street, where he left his books, bat, fishing-rod, &c.—to save a journey to his boarding-house—and spent his spare cash. It was in the back-yards of these houses that dogs and guns were kept.
Spess, subs. (Felsted).—A specimen: a term of contempt.
1889. Felstedian, July, 66. Others ... calling out ... frightful SPESSES, which word is in our language “specimens”; but as this is too long for their memories, they have shortened it.
Spin, verb (Royal Military Academy).—To reject: as to an examination; to pluck; to plough.
Spink, subs. (Royal Military Academy).—Milk: specifically, condensed milk.