Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 8 text:

B (Efir (Elarimt “Hum” Slang In almost every school of long standing a campus vernacular is instituted and grows with the school. Below is listed a brief vocabulary of slang which is used every day about the College Campus. and —auditorium batty —crazy or referring to the Battalion booky —knocking a boy’s books from his arms canal boats —large shoes dial-master —boy who controls the radio dope —coffee dorm —dormitory ennies —first claim floaters—boys who have to take the Waiters ' seats in the dining room frogs ' eggs —tapioca pudding Gobi Desert —the west playground ginny, mud —ginger cakes gypping —selling candy for profit guvvy —governess hop —dance horn off— keep quiet horsed —cheated hum chariot —College automobile kicked —expelled from the College lodgeman says no —you are speaking too loud Main Road jazz —music played by the College band mocky —a lucky achievement in a game monkey slew —lamb stew outfit —collection of clothes not permitted in College regulations packer —boy with a huge appetite peppy —reprimand rec —recreation sad case —one who does “dumb” things Schuylkill punch —drinking water Ridge Avenue spesh —a suit of chothes in loud colors shorty, weaky —a trick on a sleeper Smitly —an ice cream dish at Schmidt’s store snared —caught in the act Steamy —trousers pressed by the tailor stony —hard of hearing stormy —felt hat seccy —section room tcchcr —member of the Intermediate High School twerp —silly person

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lamtani 1940 Thank You, Stephen Girard The end of our ten years’ journey has been reached. Class- mate will soon bid classmate a fond farewell. Parting time has come at last, and with it comes, too, the realization that the first chapter of our lives is closed. We cannot leave Girard College without pausing for a few minutes to pay a humble tribute to the man who is responsible for everything that has been done for us here—Stephen Girard. It is difficult to refrain from choking with pride, emotion, and thanks when we think of this famed banker, merchant, and mariner whose foresight and magnanimity created this great school which we are privileged to call home. For indeed Girard College has been a home for the past ten years—a home which has offered us the best in life. The full significance of its numer¬ ous opportunities for self-teaching, character-developing, and manhood will be realized in the years to come. We the Class of January, 1940, are soon to go through the portals which we entered so long ago. An entirely new world will greet us with a challenge—a challenge which we shall accept and conquer. For we have something with which it has not reck¬ oned -the shining inspiration of Stephen Girard’s ideals to guide us through hectic moments and turbulent times. We have adopted the courage of a man who braved an epidemic to help his fellowmen; the spirit of a philanthropist who aided his be¬ loved adopted country through a war; the wisdom of a humani¬ tarian who left the most part of his fortune to a school to be built for poor boys. Words are not the language of the heart. They would be incapable of expressing our deep and sincere appreciation to this greatest of men. “Actions speak louder than words,” and our actions in the future must speak, not only for ourselves, but also for the school we are leaving and for the man who made its existence possible. As the years come and each of us goes his separate path, let us never forget this humble man whose generosity has helped mold our lives. All that we are, or all that we hope to be, we owe in no small part to Stephen Girard. Class of January, 1940

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January 194II 7 PROGRESS In 1929 some of our classmates entered Girard and went to old Number 7. Every Sunday morning crackers and milk filled the ever-empty newbies. When West End was built in 1930, they were trans¬ ferred to modern apartments. At Easter, after vacation, fondest pleasures came as daily rations of candy. Junior School, the construction of which was completed in 1931, to replace old Number 7, was the next step in our seemingly endless journey foward to that far-distant goal. Spread from sections A to K, there was little of the so-called “class consciousness” among us. The never-to-be-forgotten day came, however, when from the modern sections we were transferred to Good Friends. With this move came the much-cherished Saturday privilege assumed by those of us who lived in Philadelphia. Remember, before this time, we saw home and friends only on vacations and holidays. Good Friends, an old friend to many, will for¬ ever stand out with its rugged decora¬ tions and winding stairs. Progress through this building meant a change of governesses, sections, and numbers. Lafayette was a real, rough-and-ready challenge then—a house of stone in con¬ struction but a house of golden experi¬ ences in reality. More than any coming before it, Lafayette was like a junior hall, preparing one for an independent exist¬ ence yet carried on with thirty-nine other fellows. Some fortunate fellows went from Lafayette to Section I. These were indeed lucky for Section I was soon to be renovated into Allen Hall. It was a change to have “dorms” of five to ten occupants instead of forty. The walks to the playgrounds were always antici¬ pated as a long hike from one end of the grounds to the other. Our stay here was also the beginning of real class recogni¬ tion for our “esprit de corps” really grew as we lived, played, and ate with our group. The hall life in the four upper houses came as a surprise. Banker, Merchant, Mariner, Bordeaux ! What memories ! Ushered into long, seemingly inhospit¬ able rooms, upper classmen asked the questions, “Have you had your waiter’s test?” “What is the hum yell?” “Can you give the definition of leather?” Those were the days! When we, through gradual stages, ripened into seniors, what a joy to “dish out”the food, get the extras, and not be bothered by the “fezzes.” After living for three years in a place that was just like home, again we were treated to new experiences in Allen Hall. What is it that draws us to our old homes: Old number 7, West End, Jun¬ ior School, Good Friends, Lafayette, Section I, and the upper houses? With regret and a secret pang of deep affection we leave you, but never shall we forget our pleasant experiences, our helpful friends, our patient instructors.