1863. Charles Reade, Hard Cash, i. p. 16. “All this term I have been (‘training’ scratched out and another word put in: c—r oh, I know) CRAMMING.” “Cramming, love?” “Yes, that is Oxfordish for studying.”
1869. Spencer, Study of Sociology, ch. xv. 574 (9th ed.). And here, by higher culture, I do not mean mere language-learning, and an extension of the detestable CRAMMING system at present in use.
1872. Besant and Rice, My Little Girl. The writer of one crushing article CRAMMED for it, like Mr. Pott’s young man.
1872. Evening Standard, Aug. 16. “The Competition Wallah.” The CRAMMER follows in the wake of competitive examinations as surely as does the shadow the body.
1872. Daily News, Dec. 20. Competitive examinations for the public service defeated in a great measure the object of their promoters, which was to place rich and poor on an equality, because success was made to depend very largely on successful CRAMMING, which meant a high-priced CRAMMER.
Crib, subs. (general).—A surreptitious aid to study. Also as verb.
1841. Punch, i. 177. Cribbing his answers from a tiny manual ... which he hides under his blotting-paper. Ibid., 185. He has with a prudent forethought stuffed his CRIBS inside his double-breasted waistcoat.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, ch. xxii. I wish I had read Greek a little more at school, ... when we return I think I shall try and read it with CRIBS.
1856. T. Hughes, Tom Brown’s School-days, pt. II. ch. vi. Tom, I want you to give up using vulgus books and CRIBS. Ibid., ii. 3. Two highly moral lines ... which he CRIBBED entire from one of his books.
1889. Globe, 12th Oct., p. 1, col. 4. Always, it seems likely, there will be men “going up” for examinations; and every now and again, no doubt, there will be among them a wily “Heathen Pass-ee” like him of whom Mr. Hilton speaks—who had CRIBS up his sleeve, and notes on his cuff.