A Collection of College Words and Customs Part 35

2d, p. 20.

FOX. In the German universities, a student during the first half-year is called a Fox (Fuchs), the same as Freshman. To this the epithet _nasty_ is sometimes added.

On this subject, Howitt remarks: "On entering the University, he becomes a _Kameel_,--a Camel. This happy transition-state of a few weeks gone by, he comes forth finally, on entering a Ch.o.r.e, a _Fox_, and runs joyfully into the new Burschen life. During the first _semester_ or half-year, he is a gold fox, which means, that he has _foxes_, or rich gold in plenty yet; or he is a _Cra.s.s-f.u.c.ks_, or fat fox, meaning that he yet swells or puffs himself up with gold."--_Student Life of Germany_, Am. ed., p.

124.

"Halloo there, Herdman, _fox_!" yelled another l.u.s.ty tippler, and Herdman, thus appealed to, arose and emptied the contents of his gla.s.s.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XII. p. 116.

At the same moment, a door at the end of the hall was thrown open, and a procession of new-comers, or _Nasty Foxes_, as they are called in the college dialect, entered two by two, looking wild, and green, and foolish.--_Longfellow's Hyperion_, p. 109.

See also in the last-mentioned work the Fox song.

FREEZE. A correspondent from Williams College writes: "But by far the most expressive word in use among us is _Freeze_. The meaning of it might be felt, if, some cold morning, you would place your tender hand upon some frosty door-latch; it would be a striking specimen on the part of the door-latch of what we mean by _Freeze_. Thus we _freeze_ to apples in the orchards, to fellows whom we electioneer for in our secret societies, and alas! some even go so far as to _freeze_ to the ladies."

"Now, boys," said Bob, "_freeze on_," and at it they went.--_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. XII. p. 111.

FRESH. An abbreviation for Freshman or Freshmen; FRESHES is sometimes used for the plural.

When Sophs met _Fresh_, power met opposing power. _Harv. Reg._, p.

251.

The Sophs did nothing all the first fortnight but torment the _Fresh_, as they call us.--_Harvardiana_, Vol. III. p. 76.

Listen to the low murmurings of some annihilated _Fresh_ upon the Delta.--_Oration before H.L. of I.O. of O.F._, 1848.

FRESH. Newly come; likewise, awkward, like a Freshman.--_Grad. ad Cantab._

For their behavior at table, spitting and coughing, and speaking loud, was counted uncivil in any but a gentleman; as we say in the university, that nothing is _fresh_ in a Senior, and to him it was a glory.--_Archaeol. Atticae_, Edit. Oxon., 1675, B. VI.

FRESHMAN, _pl._ FRESHMEN. In England, a student during his first year's residence at the university. In America, one who belongs to the youngest of the four cla.s.ses in college, called the _Freshman Cla.s.s_.--_Webster_.

FRESHMAN. Pertaining to a Freshman, or to the cla.s.s called _Freshman_.

FRESHMAN, BUTLER'S. At Harvard and Yale Colleges, a Freshman, formerly hired by the Butler, to perform certain duties pertaining to his office, was called by this name.

The Butler may be allowed a Freshman, to do the foregoing duties, and to deliver articles to the students from the b.u.t.tery, who shall be appointed by the President and Tutors, and he shall be allowed the same provision in the Hall as the Waiters; and he shall not be charged in the Steward's quarter-bills under the heads of Steward and Instruction and Sweepers, Catalogue and Dinner.--_Laws of Harv. Coll._, 1793, p. 61.

With being _butler's freshman_, and ringing the bell the first year, waiter the three last, and keeping school in the vacations, I rubbed through.--_The Algerine Captive_, Walpole, 1797, Vol. I.

p. 54.

See BUTLER, b.u.t.tERY.

FRESHMAN CLUB. At Hamilton College, it is customary for the new Soph.o.m.ore Cla.s.s to present to the Freshmen at the commencement of the first term a heavy cudgel, six feet long, of black walnut, bra.s.s bound, with a silver plate inscribed "_Freshman Club_." The club is given to the one who can hold it out at arm's length the longest time, and the presentation is accompanied with an address from one of the Soph.o.m.ores in behalf of his cla.s.s. He who receives the club is styled the "leader." The "leader" having been declared, after an appropriate speech from a Freshman appointed for that purpose, "the cla.s.s," writes a correspondent, "form a procession, and march around the College yard, the leader carrying the club before them. A trial is then made by the cla.s.s of the virtues of the club, on the Chapel door."

FRESHMAN, COLLEGE. In Harvard University, a member of the Freshman Cla.s.s, whose duties are enumerated below. "On Sat.u.r.day, after the exercises, any student not specially prohibited may go out of town. If the students thus going out of town fail to return so as to be present at evening prayers, they must enter their names with the _College Freshman_ within the hour next preceding the evening study bell; and all students who shall be absent from evening prayers on Sat.u.r.day must in like manner enter their names."--_Statutes and Laws of the Univ. in Cam., Ma.s.s._, 1825, p.

42.

The _College Freshman_ lived in No. 1, Ma.s.sachusetts Hall, and was commonly called the _book-keeper_. The duties of this office are now performed by one of the Proctors.

FRESHMANHOOD. The state of a _Freshman_, or the time in which one is a Freshman, which is in duration a year.

But yearneth not thy laboring heart, O Tom, For those dear hours of simple _Freshmanhood_?

_Harvardiana_, Vol. III. p. 405.

When to the college I came, in the first dear day of _my freshhood_, Like to the school we had left I imagined the new situation.

_Ibid._, Vol. III. p. 98.

FRESHMANIC. Pertaining to a _Freshman_; resembling a _Freshman_, or his condition.

The Junior Cla.s.s had heard of our miraculous doings, and a.s.serted with that peculiar dignity which should at all times excite terror and awe in the _Freshmanic_ breast, that they would countenance no such proceedings.--_Harvardiana_, Vol. III. p. 316.

I do not pine for those _Freshmanic_ days.--_Ibid._, Vol. III. p.

405.

FRESHMAN, PARIETAL. In Harvard College, the member of the Freshman Cla.s.s who gives notice to those whom the chairman of the Parietal Committee wishes to see, is known by the name of the _Parietal Freshman_. For his services he receives about forty dollars per annum, and the rent of his room.

FRESHMAN, PRESIDENT'S. A member of the Freshman Cla.s.s who performs the official errands of the President, for which he receives the same compensation as the PARIETAL FRESHMAN.

Then Bibo kicked his carpet thrice, Which brought his _Freshman_ in a trice.

"You little rascal! go and call The persons mentioned in this scroll."

The fellow, hearing, scarcely feels The ground, so quickly fly his heels.

_Rebelliad_, p. 27.

FRESHMAN, REGENT'S. In Harvard College, a member of the Freshman Cla.s.s whose duties are given below.

"When any student shall return to town, after having had leave of absence for one night or more, or after any vacation, he shall apply to the _Regent's Freshman_, at his room, to enter the time of his return; and shall tarry till he see it entered.

"The _Regent's Freshman_ is not charged under the heads of Steward, Instruction, Sweepers, Catalogue, and Dinner."--_Laws of Harv. Coll._, 1816, pp. 46, 47.

This office is now abolished.

FRESHMAN'S BIBLE. Among collegians, the name by which the body of laws, the catalogue, or the calendar of a collegiate inst.i.tution is often designated. The significancy of the word _Bible_ is seen, when the position in which the laws are intended to be regarded is considered. The _Freshman_ is supposed to have studied and to be more familiar with the laws than any one else, hence the propriety of using his name in this connection. A copy of the laws are usually presented to each student on his entrance into college.

Every year there issues from the warehouse of Messrs. Deighton, the publishers to the University of Cambridge, an octavo volume, bound in white canvas, and of a very periodical and business-like appearance. Among the Undergraduates it is commonly known by the name of the "_Freshman's Bible_,"--the public usually ask for the "University Calendar."--_Westminster Rev._, Am. ed., Vol. x.x.xV. p.