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

1891. Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 2. I can’t make out why the Pater is always so crusty about Rover. He told me every day last VAC he wouldn’t have his house over-run with dogs.

Valet, subs. (Winchester).—Every Præfect had a Junior in Chambers who acted in this capacity, made his tea or coffee, carried his things through from Chambers to School and back again, and looked after him in general.—Mansfield (c. 1840).

Varmint, adj. (old University).—Good; spruce.

Varmint-man, subs. (Cambridge: obsolete). See quots.

1803. Gradus ad Cantab. A VARMINT-MAN spurns a scholarship, would consider it a degradation to be a Fellow.

1827. Alma Mater.... The handsome man, my friend and pupil, was naturally enough a bit of a swell, or VARMINT-MAN.

’Varsity, subs. (Oxford and Cambridge).—The accepted corruption of University.

’Varsity-tit (or Tit), subs. (Durham).—A student of Durham University: in contempt.

Varying, subs. (Winchester).—A VULGUS (q.v.) done UP TO BOOKS (q.v.).

Vaseline, subs. (Royal Military Academy).—Butter.