HIGH STEWARD.  In the English universities, an officer who has special power to hear and determine capital causes, according to the laws of the land and the privileges of the university, whenever a scholar is the party offending.  He also holds the university court-leet, according to the established charter and custom.—­Oxf. and Cam.  Cals.

At Cambridge, in addition to his other duties, the High Steward is the officer who represents the University in the House of Lords.

HIGH TABLE.  At Oxford, the table at which the Fellows and some other privileged persons are entitled to dine.

Wine is not generally allowed in the public hall, except to the “high table.”—­De Quincey’s Life and Manners, p. 278.

I dine at the “high table” with the reverend deans, and hobnob with professors.—­Household Words, Am. ed., Vol.  XI. p 521.

HIGH-TI.  At Williams College, a term by which is designated a showy recitation.  Equivalent to the word squirt at Harvard College.

HILLS.  At Cambridge, Eng., Gogmagog Hills are commonly called the Hills.

  Or to the Hills on horseback strays,
  (Unasked his tutor,) or his chaise
  To famed Newmarket guides.
    Gradus ad Cantab., p. 35.

HISS.  To condemn by hissing.

This is a favorite method, especially among students, of expressing their disapprobation of any person or measure.

  I’ll tell you what; your crime is this,
  That, Touchy, you did scrape, and hiss.
    Rebelliad, p. 45.

  Who will bully, scrape, and hiss! 
  Who, I say, will do all this! 
  Let him follow me,—­Ibid., p. 53.

HOAXING.  At Princeton College, inducing new-comers to join the secret societies is called hoaxing.

HOBBY.  A translation.  Hobbies are used by some students in translating Latin, Greek, and other languages, who from this reason are said to ride, in contradistinction to others who learn their lessons by study, who are said to dig or grub.

See PONY.

HOBSON’S CHOICE.  Thomas Hobson, during the first third of the seventeenth century, was the University carrier between Cambridge and London.  He died January 1st, 1631.  “He rendered himself famous by furnishing the students with horses; and, making it an unalterable rule that every horse should have an equal portion of rest as well as labor, he would never let one out of its turn; hence the celebrated saying, ‘Hobson’s Choice:  this, or none.’” Milton has perpetuated his fame in two whimsical epitaphs, which may be found among his miscellaneous poems.

HOE IN.  At Hamilton College, to strive vigorously; a metaphorical meaning, taken from labor with the hoe.

HOIST. It was formerly customary at Harvard College, when the Freshmen were used as servants, to report them to their Tutor if they refused to go when sent on an errand; this complaint was called a hoisting, and the delinquent was said to be hoisted.