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

Rector’s Tower (Stonyhurst).—A tower at the end of the west wing. Also known as Parbrick Tower, after the Rector who built it.

Report, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The account of the school work given by the Prefect of Studies in the Boys’ Refectory, before the whole house assembled, at the end of each term. The class which wins most honour is said to get First Praise. After the Report the Distinction Lists are read. Cf. Distinguished.

Retreat, subs. (Stonyhurst).—A period of three days annually devoted by the boys to practices of piety.

Romans (Stonyhurst).—See Victory-walk.

Rostrum, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A pulpit formerly in the boys’ refectory: used for reading during certain meals.

Rotten. Bells go rotten, phr. (Winchester).—See Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester (1866), 432.

Roust, verb (Durham).—To kick.

Sabbatine, subs. (Stonyhurst: obsolete).—A kind of academical exhibition given by one of the Higher Line (q.v.) classes to the rest of the Higher Line and visitors on a Saturday afternoon. [From Sabbatum.]

Sack. To have (or GET) THE SACK, verb. phr. (Harrow).—To be dismissed from school for an offence. A common enough word, but its specific use at Harrow deserves mention.