slang. [f. prec.] intr. To work hard at one’s studies. Also trans. to ‘get up,’ ‘mug up’ (a subject).
1860. Slang Dict. (ed. 2), Swot,… to work hard for an examination, to be diligent in one’s studies.—Army.
1866. [see prec. 2].
1899. E. Phillpotts, Human Boy, 120. He was swatting like anything in play-hours for a special Old Testament history prize.
1908. Athenæum, 25 July, 93/2. It is the case that boys deliberately set themselves to ‘slack’ or ‘swot’ for longer or shorter periods.
