Schooling, subs. (thieves').—A term of confinement in a reformatory.
1879. Auto. of Thief [Macm. Mag., xl., 501]. She is young—just come from a SCHOOLING.
2. (thieves').—See quot.
1888. Globe, 25 Mar. A batch of these grimy ones being brought up the other day for playing pitch and toss—in the local vernacular, schooling—in a public place, their counsel argued that they were driven to it by destitution.
School-butter, subs. phr. (old).—A flogging (B. E., Grose).
Schoolmaster, 1. See Bilk.
2. (racing).—A horse good at jumping: generally ridden with one in training.
School of Venus, subs. phr. (old).—A brothel: see Nanny-house (B. E., Grose).
School-street, subs. phr. (old University: Oxon.).—The University.
Schooner, subs. (American).—A tall glass: containing twice the quantity of an ordinary tumbler: THREE-MASTED SCHOONER = a schooner of extra size.
1888. Texas Siftings, 30 June. Thanks, old hoss fly, what do you say to taking a schooner of beer at my expense?
1889. D. Telegraphy, 8 Feb. There is a coloured man at Derby who can swallow two quarts of molasses with as much ease as a Whyo can drink a schooner of beer, and in about the same time.
See Prairie Schooner.
SCHWASSLE-BOX. See SWATCHEL-COVE.
Scissorean-operation, subs. phr. (literary).—Gutting a book.
Scissors. To give one scissors, verb. phr. (common).—To pay out; to cut UP (q.v.). Also Scissors! = an exclamation of disgust or impatience.
1843. Selby, Antony and Cleopatra. Oh, scissors; insinuate that it takes nine of us to make a man!
1847. Robb, Squatter Life, 64. I grabbed his slick har, and may be I didn't GIN HIM SCISSORS.
1893. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, 33. Oh, scissors! jest didn't we give 'em tantivy.
Scissors-and-paste, subs. phr. (literary).—Compilation: as distinguished from original work. Fr. travailler à coups de ciseaux = to compile.
Scob, subs. (Winchester College).—'An oak box with a double lid, set at the angles of the squares of wooden benches in school: used as desk and bookcase. [Probably the word has been transferred from the bench itself, and comes from Fr. escabeau, Lat. scabellum.]'—Wrench.
1620. Account [to J. Hutton at his entrance into the College]. For a scobb to hold his books, 3s. 6d.
1890. G. Allen, Tents of Shem, xlii. Parker's scob was 270.
Scoff (or Scorf), verb. (nautical).—1. To eat: also as subs. = food. [Cf. Scots' scaff = food of any kind.]
1893. Flynt, Tramping with Tramps, II. iii. Scoff's always more plenty than money.
1901. Walker, In the Blood, iv 'Those birds kill snakes do they?' . . . 'Rather . . . They goes down themselves and scoffs them.'
2. (American).—-To run away; TO SKEDADDLE (q.v.): also TO scoff (or scuff) away.
