1867. Collins, The Public Schools, p. 164. From about 8 to 10 he [the fag] is supposed to be at work, in a sort of common room assigned to the juniors collectively, preparing his lessons for next day; but the call of “ELECTION,” which signifies that the services of one of the junior election is required by one of the seniors, used to be frequent enough to be a very serious interruption. It is admitted that these demands upon a junior’s time have commonly been such that “a boy tempted to be idle, as most of them are, finds very considerable difficulty in doing his work.” In order to check these interruptions as far as possible, a late regulation has made all fagging unlawful during these evening hours of work.
To gain a year by election, verb. phr. (Winchester).—A boy not being a Founder (q.v.) was obliged to leave at the Election immediately succeeding his eighteenth birthday; he whose birthday came shortly after Election, was thus enabled to stay till he was nearly nineteen, and was so said “to gain a year.”—Mansfield (c. 1840).
Electors, subs. (Winchester).—The Warden and two Fellows of New College, and the Warden, Sub-Warden, and Head-master of Winchester, who conducted Election (q.v.).—Mansfield (c. 1840).
Elegant Extracts, subs. (Cambridge).—Students who, though “plucked,” were still given their degrees. A line was drawn below the poll-list, and those allowed to pass were nicknamed the ELEGANT EXTRACTS. There was a similar limbo in the honour-list.
Elements, subs. (Stonyhurst).—The first Form.
End, subs. 1. (Winchester).—A table or division of a table in College Hall, practically meaning “mess.”—Wrench.
c. 1840. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester (1866), 208. End.—At dinner-time the Inferiors (q.v.) were divided into six companies, each being presided over by a Candlekeeper (q.v.). These companies and the table at which they sat were called ENDS.
2. (Felsted).—See Tip.
English, subs. (Winchester).—A translation; an adventitious aid to study; a crib.
Ensign (Eton).—See Montem.