“Ques. What is your, name? Ans. I do not know.

“Ques. What is the name of this University? Ans. I do not know.

“Ques. Who was your father? Ans. I do not know.

“The last is probably the only true answer of the three!”

NEWLING.  In the German universities, a Freshman; one in his first half-year.

NEWY.  At Princeton College, a fresh arrival.

NIGHTGOWN.  A dressing-gown; a deshabille.

No student shall appear within the limits of the College, or town of Cambridge, in any other dress than in the uniform belonging to his respective class, unless he shall have on a nightgown, or such an outside garment as may be necessary over a coat.—­Laws Harv.  Coll., 1790.

NOBLEMAN.  In the English universities, among the Undergraduates, the nobleman enjoys privileges and exemptions not accorded to others.  At Oxford he wears a black-silk gown with full sleeves “couped” at the elbows, and a velvet cap with gold tassel, except on full-dress occasions, when his habit is of violet-figured damask silk, richly bedight with gold lace.  At Cambridge he wears the plain black-silk gown and the hat of an M.A., except on feast days and state occasions, when he appears in a gown still more gorgeous than that of a Fellow-Commoner.—­Oxford Guide.  Bristed.

NO END OF.  Bristed records this phrase as an intensive peculiar to the English Cantabs.  Its import is obvious “They have no end of tin; i.e. a great deal of money.  He is no end of a fool; i.e. the greatest fool possible.”—­Five Years in an Eng.  Univ., Ed. 2d, p. 24.

The use of this expression, with a similar signification, is common in some portions of the United States.

NON ENS.  Latin; literally not being.  At the University of Cambridge, Eng., one who has not been matriculated, though he has resided some time at the University; consequently is not considered as having any being.  A Freshman in embryo.—­Grad. ad Cantab.

NON PARAVI.  Latin; literally, I have not prepared.  When Latin was spoken in the American colleges, this excuse was commonly given by scholars not prepared for recitation.

  With sleepy eyes and countenance heavy,
  With much excuse of non paravi.
    Trumbull’s Progress of Dullness, 1794, p. 8.

The same excuse is now frequently given in English.

The same individuals were also observed to be “not prepared” for the morning’s recitation.—­Harvardiana, Vol.  II. p. 261.

I hear you whispering, with white lips, “Not prepared, sir.”—­Burial of Euclid, 1850, p. 9.

NON PLACET.  Latin; literally, It is not pleasing.  In the University of Cambridge, Eng., the term in which a negative vote is given in the Senate-House.