subs. phr. (university).—1. A privileged class of commoners at Oxford, wearing a special cut of gown and a velvet cap.
2. (common).—An empty bottle. Also FELLOW-COMMONER (q.v.). [A sarcastic allusion to the mental capacity of this class of student.] For synonyms, see DEAD-MAN.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
