Spree, adj. (Winchester).—(1) Conceited; stuck-up: of persons. (2) Smart; stylish; befitting a Wykehamist: of dress, &c. [Spree (Devon) = spruce, gay.]
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester (1866), 72. At the end of the half year we used to have large entertainments called “SPREE MESSES,” between Toy-time and Chapel, consisting of tea, coffee, muffins, cakes, &c., the funds for which were generally provided by fines inflicted during Toy-time for talking loud, slamming the door, coming in without whistling (to show that it was not a Master entering), improper language, &c. &c. Sometimes a SPREE MESS was given by the boys about to leave at the end of that Half.
1891. Wrench, Winchester Word-Book, s.v. Spree.... As applied to juniors, uppish; inclined to assume airs, or usurp privileges not belonging to juniors. As applied to acts, permissible only to prefects or those of senior standing.
Spreeman, subs. (Winchester).—A Junior who has to fag hard.
1891. Wrench, Winchester Word-Book, s.v. Spreeman. A Commoner Inferior, who, in consideration of his social status or long standing in the School, was invested by Præfects with privileges similar to those enjoyed by Candle-keepers in College.
Squab (or Squob), verb (King Edward’s, Birm.).—To squeeze by. [The foot is placed against a wall or desk, and the back against the victim, who is similarly treated from the opposite side by some one else, or pressed against a wall.] Hence SQUAB-UP = “push,” generally. [Squab (Devon) = to squeeze, to knock, to beat.]
Square. To square round, verb. phr. (Winchester).—To make room: as at a fire, &c.
Squash, subs. 1. (Stonyhurst).—A mellay (at football) of the two sides round the goal-posts. A goal secured in this way is called a “squash-goal.” Also Harrow.
1876. Collins, The Public Schools [Harrow], p. 312. The gravel cut the leather case of the ball occasionally, as well as the hands and faces of those who scrambled over it in a SQUASH, as that close mêlée is called, which Rugby men know as a “scrummage,” and Etonians as a “rouge.”
1885. Stonyhurst Mag., i. 144. The second law on the Code enacts that “no one may push, pull, charge, or trip another player.” How then is a SQUASH GOAL to be accounted for?