"gulfed" Definition

  1. originally a Cambridge term, denoting that a man is unable to enter for the classical examination from having failed in the mathematical. These men’s names appeared in the list of “Degrees Allowed.” The name GULF for this list is said to have arisen from the boast of a former “wooden spoon.” “I would have you to know there is a great GULF between _me_ and the captain of the poll.” Candidates for classical honours were compelled to go in for both examinations. From the alteration of the arrangements, the term as thus applied is now obsolete. The expression is common now in Oxford as descriptive of a man who goes in for honours, and only gets a pass. An Honorary Fourth is when a candidate who only tries for a pass does so well that he is raised to the honours’ list.

More About gulfed

Position in the dictionary: 1549 of 4022 slang words.
Next words in the dictionary: gull, gully rakers, gullyfluff, gulpin, gummy, gumption, gun, gunner’s daughter, gup, gurrawaun
Previous words in the dictionary: guinea to a goose, guinea pigs, guardevine, gruel, grubby, grubbing ken, grub and bub, growler, grove of the evangelist, groggy

The Slang Dictionary's Entry for gulfed

Read The Slang Dictionary's historical definition of the slang word "gulfed" on this page. Also learn other useful information about "gulfed", including the position in the dictionary and the next and previous terms to be discovered.