Notions: are they back?

Last Friday, Old Wykehamist and Classics don, Rupert Mercer (Coll, 2004-09; CoRo, 2018- ; HoDo A, 2025- ) took to the stage with his 'Trusty Colleague' and addressed a large audience of staff about the importance and value of Win Coll's own peculiar language.  There was even a short Notions Test orchestrated by the presenters.  It is not the first time that Rupert has addressed us about notions. Particularly sweaty readers might recall his article in Trusty Servant 131 (May 2021), attached here.

A short list of Everyday Notions is now in circulation in the school and the small pocket-sized Notions Book published by P&G Wells (the current edition is over 20 years old) is expected to be revised and re-issued during the academic year.

The historical record of notions has been preserved in booklet form down the years.  And through larger compilations, such as Winchester College NOTIONS by THREE BEETLEITES (1901; 2nd edition 1910) and WINCHESTER NOTIONS by Charles Stevens (Coll, 1917-22), edited by Christopher Stray.

However comprehensive these collections are, they do not always capture notions in the sense of customs and they are bound to have overlooked linguistic and architectural notions peculiar to boarding houses other than Furley's and College (Furleyites were once known as Beetleites).

We invite our readers to suggest notions (together with translation and, if possible, an explanation) that were either:

• particular to your boarding house or
• that you suspect of having been overlooked in one of the existing notions publications.

Three example notions have been brought to our attention recently that might stimulate faint memories:

• Tostig:  meaning toast
• Quirkers:  a floor-level slot in Chawker's, leading to a rubbish chute, into which the sweepings from (Mugging) Hall were sent.
• In College:  the notion that the Aulae Prae could be carried up to books by fellow collegemen while still in his bed.  

We would be delighted if anyone could shed light on the origins of these and others.  Our intention is not necessarily to include them in the revised Notions Book, but to ensure that there is a written record.  We look forward to a full inbox.