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

Buying, subs. (Stonyhurst).—An opportunity which is given for the purchase of pastry in the refectory at “Bread-and-beer” (q.v.) time.

Cab, subs. (general).—An adventitious aid to study; a CRIB (q.v.); a PONY (q.v.). [From CABBAGE (q.v.) = pilferings.]

1853. Bradley (“Cuthbert Bede”), Adventures of Verdant Green. Those who can’t afford a coach get a CAB, alias a crib, alias a translation.

1876. Academy, 4th Nov., p. 448, col. 2. The use of translations, “cribs,” or CABS as boys call them, must at some time or other engage the serious attention of schoolmasters.

Cabbage, subs. (general).—A translation; a CAB (q.v.). Also as verb = to use a translation or other adventitious aid in preparing exercises; to “crib.”

1837. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), iv. 234. A speech, which ... had been what schoolboys call CABBAGED, from some of the forms of oration ... published by way of caricature.

1862. H. Marryat, Year in Sweden, ii. 387. Steelyards ... sent by Gustaf Wasa as checks upon country dealers, who CABBAGED, giving short weight.

Cacus (Stonyhurst).—The Library lumber-room.

1888. Stonyhurst Mag., July, p. 185. The dust and darkness of CACUS is destined to give place to the (comparatively) gilded splendour of a Philosopher’s room. Two new windows are being opened in the wall of the Elizabethan front over the old Bailey window.... Hitherto CACUS has been shrouded in utter darkness, ... a receptacle for ... all the literature, which ... had not been assigned a place in the Library.