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

Pog, subs. (Felsted).—See ante: the suggested derivation is “Pig—pig-faced—pog.” “Put your POG” was the usual direction to Drawing-round (q.v.).

Post-office, verb (Harrow).—To promenade the High Street. [Where is situated the post-office.]

Prefect’s-room, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The room in which corporal punishment is inflicted. “To visit the PREFECT’S-ROOM” has a recognised significance. Also known as the Tolly-shop.

Prisoner’s-bars, subs. (Stonyhurst).—Otherwise known as “Prisoner’s-base.”

Privates, subs. (Harrow).—Private lessons.

Purgatory, subs. (Stonyhurst).—See Hell.

Purl (or Pearl), subs. (Winchester).—A header. Also as verb.

Rabble, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—The Vesper Choir: i.e. the choir formed of boys not in the College choir proper, who sing alternately with the latter at Vespers.

Reading-room, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An hour of extra study after supper. So called from the room in which this study may be done. “I am going to Reading Room.”