c. 1850. Brodrick, Memories and Impressions. ... It is credibly reported of Mr. Cookesley—who, in spite of a tendency to buffoonery, was an inspiring teacher—that he addressed a remarkably stupid boy in the following terms: “I tell you what it is, sir, if you ever show me up a copy of your own verses again, I’ll put you in the BILL” (an Etonian euphemism for a capital punishment). “Why, a great strong fellow like you can have no difficulty in getting a decent copy of verses written for him, and if you ever again bring me one of your own concoction I’ll have you flogged.”
1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 100. Bagshawe even went so far as to rebuke one of the monitors for rising in Mr. James’ presence; and when told that it was by Mr. Busby’s order, desired him to write that down on his BILL; a proceeding equivalent, as Mr. Busby declared, and as Westminster and Eton men will perhaps agree, to ordering the head-master up for corporal punishment.
1876. Brinsley Richards, Seven Years at Eton. Some of the small boys whom this delightful youth tempted to ape his habits, had often occasion to rue it when they staggered back to College giddy and sick, carrying with them a perfume which told its tale to their tutors, and caused them to be put in the BILL.
2. (Harrow).—The “call-over” of the whole school on half-holidays; at 4 P.M. in summer, at 4.15 P.M. in other terms. Whence BILL-BOOK = the book—the list of the school in order of forms—from which BILL is called; BILL-ORDER = the order of the school as in the BILL-BOOK; BILL-MONITOR = a member of the “First Fourth” who is in charge of the paper on which monitors sign their names during BILL. Also used at Westminster.
1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 284. His pupils were chiefly boys of rank, and during Thackeray’s time had been exempted from appearing at BILLS. Sumner stopped this privilege, to the great disgust of Dr. Glasse and some of his aristocratic friends. Earl Radnor even threatened to “ruin the school” if Sumner refused to give way; but the new head-master was firm. Lord Dartmoor, on the other hand, supported him, and removed his sons into his House from Glasse’s, who was beaten in the struggle, and left Harrow. Ibid., 293. At the time of his appointment he was only twenty-six, but his reputation as a scholar stood very high. It is enough to say that under his rule Harrow has increased in numbers, and certainly not lost in reputation. The last BILL-BOOK contains 492 names.
1899. Public School Mag., Dec., p. 446. The uniformity of daily life at Harrow was interrupted by a pleasant interlude not long ago. The Chinese Ambassador paid a visit to the school. His Excellency made an inspection of the school buildings, and was finally cheered at BILL.
Bill-brighter, subs. (Winchester).—A small fagot used for lighting coal fires in kitchen. [From a servant, Bill Bright, who was living in 1830.]
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 89. The Kitchen is a spacious apartment with a vaulted roof, occupying the entire height of the building on the west side of the quadrangle, and at least half its length; here we might see a few Fags endeavouring to coax Jem Sims, John Coward, or Mother Mariner (the cooks) for an extra supply of mashed potatoes, till Kitchen is cleared by the exasperated Manciple, who has just detected a delinquent in the act of secreting under his gown an armful of the small faggots used for lighting the Kitchen fires (called BILL BRIGHTERS), an opportunity for purloining which was never allowed to slip by a Junior of a properly regulated mind.
Bim (or Bimb), verb (Tonbridge).—To cane. Hence BIMB-STICK = a cane.
Binge, subs. (Oxford).—A drinking-bout. [Binger (Linc.) = tipsy.]