subs. (Eton College).—1. A list of the boys who go to the headmaster at 12 o’clock; also of those who get off ABSENCE (q.v.), or names-calling: match e.g., an eleven are exempt.
1876. J. BRINSLEY RICHARDS, Seven Years at Eton, v. Some of the small boys whom this delightful youth tempted to ape his habits, had often occasion to rue it when they staggered back to college giddy and sick, carrying with them a perfume which told its tale to their tutors, and caused them to be put in the BILL.
2. (Harrow School).—Names-calling.
TO HANG UP A BILL, verb phr. (American political).—See quot. Hence TO RUSH A BILL = To expedite through the Senate and Congress.
1887. Cornhill Magazine, Jun., 628. TO HANG UP A BILL is to pass it through one or more of its stages, and then to lay it aside and defer its further consideration for a more or less indefinite period.
TO HOLD WITH BILL IN THE WATER, verb. phr. (common).—To keep in suspense.
TO PAY A BILL AT SIGHT, verb phr. (venery).—To be always ready for sexual commerce; to be HOT (q.v.) or WARM (q.v.) on it; to have a MUST (q.v.).
TO BILL UP, verb phr. (military).—To confine to barracks.
LONG (or SHORT) BILL, subs. phr. (thieves’).—A long or short term of imprisonment.
