*Absence*, _subs._ (Eton).—Names-calling. [This takes place at 3 and 6 P.M. on half-holidays; at 11.30, 3, and 6 P.M. on whole-holidays; at 6 P.M. only in summer half.] 1867. COLLINS, _The Public Schools_, p. 174. And the elevens were made up, as they best might, out of such adventurous spirits as dared to “skip” roll-calls and ABSENCE for the purpose. Eton, when the losers, attributed the fact to the want of their best men in consequence of these difficulties. *Absit*, _subs._ (Cambridge).—_See_ quot. 1886. DICKENS’S _Dictionary of the University of Cambridge_, p. 3. Every undergraduate wishing to leave Cambridge for a whole day, not including a night, must obtain an ABSIT from his tutor. Permission to go away for a longer period, either at the end of the term or in the middle, is called an “exeat,” and no undergraduate should go down without obtaining his “exeat.” *Academia*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—_See_ Appendix. *Academy*, _subs._ (Stonyhurst).—An exhibition given at the end of every quarter: the first by RHETORIC (_q.v._), the second by POETRY (_q.v._), the third by SYNTAX (_q.v._), the last, called the GREAT ACADEMIES, by all three combined. This last is the crowning act of the school year, being attended by many visitors, and is followed by the annual distribution of prizes. Hence ACADEMY ROOM = the large hall in which the chief exhibitions, displays, concerts, plays, &c., are held. [The name may have come from the school at Liège, which was known as the “Academy”; but more probably it is of much older date, being derived from the “Academiæ” of the _Ratio Studiorum Societatis Jesu_.] *Accidence* (Harrow).—_See_ UPPER SCHOOL. *Ack* (or *Ick*), _intj._ (Christ’s Hospital).—No! nothing. _Ex._ “Lend me your book.” “ACK!” Obsolete. *Action*, _subs._ (King Edward’s, Birm.: obsolete).—A game in which a number of boys start from one end of the cloisters and run to the other, trying to avoid being captured _en route_ by others who seek to intercept them. The game was also called FOX AND DOWDY. These were names in use twenty-five years ago. To-day the same game is called BACCA, because the prisoners must be held long enough for the captor to say, “one, two, three, caught, tobacco!” *Ad lib.*, _subs. phr._ (Stonyhurst).—The time when boys are not bound to study in the STUDY-PLACE (_q.v._). *Admonishing-money*, _subs._ (Westminster).—_See_ quot.