Notion (slang)

Notion is a highly specialised form of slang used by pupils at Winchester College. Each slang word or expression is known as a notion.

Some notions are created by shortening phrases - for example, the Dons' Common Room Notice Board became Do Co Ro No Bo; other notions derive from Latin - for example, foricas (Latin for 'lavatory') was shortened to fo. Thus a pupil might comment, "It's fortunate that the Do Co Ro has its own fo."

Some more examples of notions are:

• toll instead of run
• bogle instead of bicycle
• cry instead of lob

It is frowned upon to use standard English if there were a notion available. Until recently, all students underwent a 'notions test' administered by the prefects.

References

Winchester Notions: The English Dialect of Winchester College [ISBN 0485115255].