Meaning of Etonicè | Babel Free

Definitions

The characteristic speech or slang of Eton College.

England, dated, humorous

Examples

“To do this in proper style, is, I assure you, reckoned a most difficult thing among the most expert performers; utterly unattainable, I am sure, by any of the rustics (Etonicè Clods) whom one sees playing at home.”

“The crew consists of ten men, besides there is or captain; they are active, willing, good-humoured fellows, and have⟳ harmonious voices, a great lounge (to speak⟳ Etonicé), as the Arab boatmen are a noisy set⟳, constantly singing to their work⟳, and always in chorus; one of them leads, and the rest⟳ join⟳ in, generally line by line, alternately, neither uttering more than five or six words at a time.”

“We remember⟳ in ancient times, when William IV. was king, on a magnificent sheet of brownish water, gracefully named Duck Puddle, a select⟳ little coterie of waterfunks (the title sufficiently explains itself—Etonicè frousts) would be unjustifiably but carefully placed on two old punts, or on a punt and an unhinged door, massive as that of Gaza, and on those treacherous rafts committed like⟳ Danae to the mercy of the waves.”

“The Comte de Ségur, in his amusing 'Mémoires et Souvenirs,' observes, à propos of his first interview with Frederick the Great of Prussia, that anyone with a due allowance of 'élevation dans l'âme' (Hibericè, 'asy assurance') can undergo⟳ the ceremony of introduction to a crowned head with proper dignity and composure; but that a certain degree of émotion—(Etonicè, 'funk')—is inevitable on being first brought face⟳ to face⟳ with a really Great Man.”

“I've funk'd and stew'd¹ to think⟳ what earthly power / […] ¹Etonice for being frightened, or alarmed at, as may be illustrated by the following imaginary talk⟳ between two lower boys:—"I say⟳, old fellow, who funks a flogging?" "Not I, my boy! but I am in a precious stew about that licking Box Major promised me!"”

CEFR level