subs. phr. (Cambridge University).—1. An academical gown: worn scant and short, and especially applied to the short black gown worn till 1835 by members of Caius College: cf. BUM-PERISHER.
1835. (Quoted in Whibley’s Three Centuries of Cambridge Wit [1889].) ’Tis the College of Caius—’tis the land where the ‘BUM CURTAIN’ lately was spoiled by each jolly chum.
2. Trowsers: see KICKS.
