A Collection of College Words and CustomsHall, Benjamin Homer
History
A Collection of College Words and Customs
Hall, Benjamin Homer
College students -- United States -- Language; English language -- United States -- Slang; Slang
POLLOI. [Greek: Hoi Polloi], the many. In the University of
Cambridge, Eng., those who take their degree without any honor.
After residing something more than three years at this University,
at the conclusion of the tenth term comes off the final
examination in the Senate-House. He who passes this examination in
the best manner is called Senior Wrangler. "Then follow about
twenty, all called Wranglers, arranged in the order of merit. Two
other ranks of honors are there,--Senior Optimes and Junior
Optimes, each containing about twenty. The last Junior Optime is
termed the Wooden Spoon. Then comes the list of the large
majority, called the _Hoy Polloi_, the first of whom is named the
_Captain of the Poll_, and the twelve last, the Apostles."--_Alma
Mater_, Vol. I. p. 3.
2. Used by students to denote the rabble.
On Learning's sea, his hopes of safety buoy,
He sinks for ever lost among the [Greek: hoi polloi].
_The Crayon_, Yale Coll., 1823, p. 21.
PONS ASINORUM. Vide ASSES' BRIDGE.
PONY. A translation. So called, it may be, from the fleetness and
ease with which a skilful rider is enabled to pass over places
which to a common plodder present many obstacles.
One writer jocosely defines this literary nag as "the animal that
ambulates so delightfully through all the pleasant paths of
knowledge, from whose back the student may look down on the weary
pedestrian, and 'thank his stars' that 'he who runs may
read.'"--_Sophomore Independent_, Union College, Nov. 1854
And stick to the law, Tom, without a _Pony_.--_Harv. Reg._, p.
194.
And when leaving, leave behind us
_Ponies_ for a lower class;
_Ponies_, which perhaps another,
Toiling up the College hill,
A forlorn, a "younger brother,"
"Riding," may rise higher still.
_Poem before the Y.H. Soc._, 1849, p. 12.
Their lexicons, _ponies_, and text-books were strewed round their
lamps on the table.--_A Tour through College_, Boston, 1832, p.
30.
In the way of "_pony_," or translation, to the Greek of Father
Griesbach, the New Testament was wonderfully convenient.--_New
England Magazine_, Vol. III. p. 208.
The notes are just what notes should be; they are not a _pony_,
but a guide.--_Southern Lit. Mess._
Instead of plodding on foot along the dusty, well-worn McAdam of
learning, why will you take nigh cuts on _ponies_?--_Yale Lit.
Mag._, Vol. XIII. p. 281.
The "board" requests that all who present themselves will bring
along the _ponies_ they have used since their first entrance into
College.--_The Gallinipper_, Dec. 1849.
The tutors with _ponies_ their lessons were learning.
_Yale Banger_, Nov. 1850.
We do think, that, with such a team of "_ponies_" and load of
commentators, his instruction might evince more accuracy.--_Yale
Tomahawk_, Feb. 1851.
In knowledge's road ye are but asses,
While we on _ponies_ ride before.
_Songs of Yale_, 1853, p. 7.
PONY. To use a translation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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