1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 241. There used to be a small four-square apartment, not much larger than a Punch-and-Judy box, lighted by a single narrow loop-hole—a receptacle for the flogging-block and other like apparatus. This was known as the BLACK-HOLE, or sometimes more familiarly as “Rome’s Hole,” from a traditionary culprit who had been a very regular occupant.
Black-jack, subs. (Winchester).—A large leathern beer jug used in College. It holds two gallons. In olden times BLACK-JACKS were in common use for small beer. [See Unton, Inventories, p. 1; Brand’s Pop. Antiq., ii. 206; Ord. and Reg., p. 392; Heywood’s Edward IV., p. 97. Also Jack: whence (Christ’s Hospital) JACK-BOY = a boy servitor of beer.]
15—. Simon the Cellarer. But oh, oh, oh! his nose doth show, How oft the BLACK-JACK to his lips doth go.
1592. Nashe, Summer’s Last Will [Dodsley, Old Plays (1874), viii. 59]. Rise up, Sir Robert Toss-pot. [Here he dubs Will Summer with the BLACK-JACK.]
1606. Return from Parnassus [Dodsley, Old Plays (1874), ix. 207]. A BLACK-JACK of beer and a Christmas pie.
1630. Taylor, Works, i. 113. Nor of BLACK-JACKS at gentle buttery bars, Whose liquor oftentimes breeds household wars.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Jack.
18[?]. T. Warton, “The Happy Junior of Sixth Chamber.” Yet still with pleasure shall we think on The Junior’s happy life at Winton ... lozenges and snacks ... dispars, gomers, JACKS.
c. 1844. Reminiscences of Christ’s Hospital (The Blue, Aug. 1874). By mistake the Cask was found to contain a fine old ale. The news soon spread from boy to boy and from ward to ward; and there was an extraordinary call upon the services of the JACK-BOYS, whose utmost exertions were scarcely equal to the demand. As might be expected, these latter took care of themselves upon the occasion.
Black-sheep, verb (Winchester: obsolete).—To get above (or “jockey”) a fellow in Middle Part: of men in Junior Part.