A Collection of College Words and Customs Part 62

POLER. One who studies hard; a close student. As a boat is impelled with _poles_, so is the student by _poling_, and it is perhaps from this a.n.a.logy that the word _poler_ is applied to a diligent student.

POLING. Close application to study; diligent attention to the specified pursuits of college.

A writer defines poling, "wasting the midnight oil in company with a wine-bottle, box of cigars, a 'deck of eucre,' and three kindred spirits," thus leaving its real meaning to be deduced from its opposite.--_Soph.o.m.ore Independent_, Union College, Nov., 1854.

POLL. Abbreviated from POLLOI.

Several declared that they would go out in "the _Poll_" (among the [Greek: polloi], those not candidates for honors).--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 62.

At Cambridge, those candidates for a degree who do not aspire to honors are said to go out in the _poll_; this being the abbreviated term to denote those who were cla.s.sically designated [Greek: hoi polloi].--_The English Universities and their Reforms_, in _Blackwood's Magazine_, Feb. 1849.

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 pa.s.ses 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 a.s.sES' BRIDGE.

PONY. A translation. So called, it may be, from the fleetness and ease with which a skilful rider is enabled to pa.s.s 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.'"--_Soph.o.m.ore 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 cla.s.s; _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 a.s.ses, While we on _ponies_ ride before.

_Songs of Yale_, 1853, p. 7.

PONY. To use a translation.

We learn that they do not _pony_ their lessons.--_Yale Tomahawk_, May, 1852.

If you _pony_, he will see, And before the Faculty You will surely summoned be.

_Songs of Yale_, 1853, p. 23.

POPPING. At William and Mary College, getting the advantage over another in argument is called _popping_ him.

POPULARITY. In the college _use_, favor of one's cla.s.smates, or of the members of all the cla.s.ses, generally. Nowhere is this term employed so often, and with so much significance, as among collegians. The first wish of the Freshman is to be popular, and the desire does not leave him during all his college life. For remarks on this subject, see the Literary Miscellany, Vol. II. p.

56; Amherst Indicator, Vol. II. p. 123, _et pa.s.sim_.

PORTIONIST. One who has a certain academical allowance or portion.

--_Webster_.

See POSTMASTER.

POSTED. Rejected in a college examination. Term used at the University of Cambridge, Eng.--_Bristed_.

Fifty marks will prevent one from being "_posted_" but there are always two or three too stupid as well as idle to save their "_Post_." These drones are _posted_ separately, as "not worthy to be cla.s.sed," and privately slanged afterwards by the Master and Seniors. Should a man be _posted_ twice in succession, he is generally recommended to try the air of some Small College, or devote his energies to some other walk of life.--_Bristed's Five Years in an Eng. Univ._, Ed. 2d, p. 74.

POSTMASTER. In Merton College, Oxford, the scholars who are supported on the foundation are called Postmasters, or Portionists (_Portionistae_).--_Oxf. Guide_.

The _postmasters_ anciently performed the duties of choristers, and their payment for this duty was six shillings and fourpence per annum.--_Oxford Guide_, Ed. 1847, p. 36.

POW-WOW. At Yale College on the evening of Presentation Day, the Seniors being excused from further attendance at prayers, the cla.s.ses who remain change their seats in the chapel. It was formerly customary for the Freshmen, on taking the Soph.o.m.ore seats, to signalize the event by appearing at chapel in grotesque dresses. The impropriety of such conduct has abolished this custom, but on the recurrence of the day, a uniformity is sometimes observable in the paper collars or white neck-cloths of the in-coming Soph.o.m.ores, as they file in at vespers. During the evening, the Freshmen are accustomed to a.s.semble on the steps of the State-House, and celebrate the occasion by speeches, a torch-light procession, and the accompaniment of a band of music.

The students are forbidden to occupy the State-House steps on the evening of Presentation Day, since the Faculty design hereafter to have a _Pow-wow_ there, as on the last.--_Burlesque Catalogue_, Yale Coll., 1852-53, p. 35.

PRaeSES. The Latin for President.

"_Praeses_" his "Oxford" doffs, and bows reply.