Rhubarb 2021

ST EDWARD’S

teddies colloquialisms We have been searching through the archives and have discovered some fascinating and amusing Teddies colloquialisms ... we would love to hear about any other quirky phrases or expressions you remember from your time at Teddies.

“Siding” W ere you ever told off at Teddies for ‘Siding’? ‘Siding’ was having your hands in your pockets and was forbidden on School grounds. Other rules dictated how many buttons were to be done up on a jacket (this depended on how senior you were), which ties could or could not be worn and the colour of your suit (blue suits were compulsory on Sundays). Which quirky rules do you remember from your time at Teddies?

“A Merry”

victories at Henley in 1958 and 1959. Now we have over 136 pupils taking part in rowing each week.

FEATURE

H ave you had any lockdown haircut disasters? ‘A Merry’ (or ‘A Merry Shave’) refers to the pudding-bowl haircut administered by CSM Merry during his long spell at School from 1919 to 1955. Pictured here is Merry in his prime c1940 – he lived to 103! We sadly don’t have any actual photos of ‘A Merry’ haircut – please do send us any photos you may have! “Cook’s Toenails” F eeling peckish? Do you remember this much-loved pudding from your days at Teddies? It was bread and butter pudding with a crispy topping. Other interesting Teddies discovered in the archives include ‘Frogs Eyes’ (tasteless tapioca pudding) and ‘Sawdust Buns’ (fairy cupcakes). “Dry Bob / Wet Bob” W ere you a ‘Wet Bob’ or ‘Dry Bob’? A ‘Wet Bob’ referred to the School’s boating fraternity whilst a ‘Dry Bob’ was any sportsman who was not involved in rowing. Rowing plays a large part in Teddies history with the first Boat Club in existence as early as 1874.We entered our first crew into Henley Royal Regatta in 1932 and gained our first major puddings we have

“FUG” D o you whilst at Teddies? The FUG was the Officer Training Corps (OTC) or Combined Cadet remember your FUG

“Stodger” D o you remember having ‘Stodger’ (or lardy cakes) at Teddies? These were a cross between a doughnut and a Danish pastry and could be purchased from the (Tuck) Shop.We sadly don’t have any photos of ‘Stodger’.We would love to hear about other Tuck Shop treats you remember.

Force (CCF) uniform. This picture is of the ‘FUG Parade’ and shows first year boys cleaning Prefects’ webbing (or FUG) in the 1930s. “Johnnies & Annies” D o you remember hearing about the ‘Johnnies and Annies’ whilst you were at Teddies? Johnnies and Annies refer to the domestic staff that worked at the School in the early days. They lived in quarters called ‘the Annery and Johnnery’ and were not permitted to cross the Quad.This incredible photograph was taken in 1872.

“Bumpers” B umpers (bumping rowing races) were races where a number of boats started simultaneously at a fixed distance apart. The aim was to catch and make contact with (bump) the boat ahead before the end of the course – an exciting contest and spectacle.This very popular sporting event continued until 1971 at Teddies and races still take place between Oxford and Cambridge colleges every year.

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