1865. Etoniana, p. 164. The CAPTAIN OF THE BOATS is perhaps the greatest person in the school next to the head-master—if, indeed, he does not rival that great authority in the estimation of the boys. The whole regulation of the boats, both as to the selection of the crew of the racing “eight,” and of the CAPTAINS of the several boats which form the Fourth of June procession, rests entirely with him; and as he has a great deal of this kind of patronage at his disposal, his influence is very considerable. The boat crews are in some sort looked upon as the aristocracy of the school, and for this reason the position is an object of social ambition amongst the boys.
Cargo, subs. (Winchester).—A hamper from home. The word is still in use.
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 77. The boys, eager for breakfast, tumultuously rushed out from school-court ... to see if Poole, the porter, had letters, or, what was even more delightful, a CARGO (a hamper of game or eatables from home).
1881. Pascoe, Every-day Life in our Public Schools. Scholars may supplement their fare with jam, potted meats, ... or, better still, from the contents of CARGOES, i.e. hampers from home.
Cart, verb (University).—To defeat: in a match, a fight, an examination, a race, &c. “We CARTED them home” = we gave them an awful licking.
Case, subs. (Westminster).—The discussion by Seniors and Upper Election preceding a TANNING (q.v.), and the tanning itself.
Cathedral, subs. (Winchester).—A silk hat. [Because worn when going to Cathedral.]
Cat-and-cartridge, subs. (The Leys).—Rabbit (or chicken) with sausage.
Cat’s, subs. (University).—St. Catharine’s Hall. Hence CAT’S-MEN = members of St. Catharine’s Hall.
Intj. (Royal High School, Edin.: obsolete).—The IInd Class. [Formerly it used to be a custom for the IInd class to pursue the Ist shouting “Gaits! Gaits! Gai-ai-aits,” to which they replied, “Cats! Cats! Caa-ats!”] See Dogs.