subs. (Eton).—Two football games are played at Eton—one at the WALL, the other in the FIELD. The first is only played by a very limited number of boys, for there is but one wall; the game is of an intricate nature, and the uninitiated spectator cannot, as a rule, even see how a point, called a Shy, is obtained. Indeed, were it not for the time-honoured match between Collegers and Oppidans on St. Andrew’s Day the game would probably become obsolete. The Eton FIELD game has many merits as a game for boys superior to those of any other kind of football. In it speed, and skilful dribbling, and accurate kicking have their due success, but strength and dogged perseverance are not left out in the cold (Great Public Schools).
Verb. (Oxford).—To confine to College bounds: cf. GATE.
1860. CARL BENSON, My Friend Mr. Bedlow, in Macmillan’s Magazine, ii. July, 222. 1. To ‘gate’ or ‘WALL’ a refractory student would be simply impossible, for want of the material masonry.
GO-BY-THE-WALL, subs. phr. (old).—Strong ale.
PHRASES. AT (or TO) THE WALL = in difficulties; TO GO TO THE WALL = to be slighted, ousted, put on one side, to succumb to force of circumstances, to go UNDER (q.v.); LAID BY THE WALL = dead, but unburied; TO DRIVE TO THE WALL = to force to give way, to crush; TO TAKE THE WALL = to walk nearest the wall in passing; hence TO GET THE BETTER OF (or the advantage): cf. ‘to get to WINDWARD’ (q.v.): THE WALL (= the right of choice of way) was in olden times the safest and cleanest; TO HANG BY THE WALL = to be neglected, remain disused; TO SEE AS FAR INTO A BRICK WALL (MILLSTONE or MILESTONE) as … = to be as able (or as cute) as …; ‘Look on the WALL, and it will not bite you’ (a jeer to one whose tongue has been bitten by mustard); ‘WALLS have ears’ = ‘Be careful, someone may be listening.’
1530. TYNDALE, Works, i. 329. HOLD heretics TO THE WALL [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 431. … the first hint of the place whither the weakest go].
1533. Thersites [DODSLEY, Old Plays (HAZLITT), i. 401]. They GIVE me THE WALL.
[1546. HEYWOOD, Proverbs, II. v. Fieldes have eies, and woodes have eares]. Ibid. She had seene far IN A MILSTONE. Ibid. Drive him TO THE WALL.
1579–80. J. LYLY, Euphues, 53. The weakest must still TO THE WALL. Ibid. (1594), Mother Bombie, ii. 1. Lucio. I see not yet what you goe about Dro. Lucio, that can PIERCE A MUD WALL of twentie foot thicke, would make us beleeve hee cannot see a candle through a paper lanthorne.
1595. SHAKESPEARE, Romeo and Juliet, i. 1. That shews thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes TO THE WALL. Ibid. Women being the weaker vessels are ever THRUST TO THE WALL. Ibid. I will TAKE THE WALL of any man or maid. Ibid. (1605), Cymbeline, iii. 4. I am richer than to HANG BY THE WALLS.
1605. HEYWOOD, If You Know Not Me, i. Since you will needs HAUE THE WALL, Ile take the pains to thrust you into the kennel.
1672. WYCHERLEY, Love in a Wood, iii. 1. Gripe. WALLS HAVE EARS.
