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

Dex, subs. (Loretto).—A form of “small cricket” once extremely popular at Loretto. [The name originated with Andrew Lang, and was not intended to be complimentary to the game. Often called PUDDEX, owing to a mistaken derivation.]

Dibs (or Dobs), subs. (Sherborne).—Prayers.

Dic, subs. (Harrow).—A dictionary.

Dinge, subs. (Royal Military Academy).—A picture or painting.

Dip, subs. 1. (Westminster).—A pocket-inkstand.

1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 165. Two pen-knives, two pieces of india-rubber, two pencils, two pieces of sealing-wax, two pieces of penstring, two DIPS (little globular ink-bottles), two DIP-CORKS, two wedges, two pieces of gutta-percha (for putting on the points of foils), and any number of pens. [Contents of a Westminster fag’s pocket.]

2. (Felsted).—An “incandescent” electric lamp. Hence DIP-KEY = an electric light switch-key.

Dispar (or Disper), subs. (Winchester).—A portion; a share. See quot., and Cat’s-head.

1847. Halliwell, Arch. Words, s.v. Dispar ... A commons or share.

1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 22. Under the superintendence of the præfectus ollæ (prefect of tub), portions of beef, called DISPARS, were served out to the boys in messes of four, with a sufficiency of bread, and beer in large black jacks.