subs. (popular).—1. A lie; oftentimes CRAMMER. [The idea is that of stuffing with nonsense.] For synonyms, see WHOPPER.
1842. Punch, vol. II., p. 21, col. 2. It soundeth somewhat like a CRAM: but our honour is at stake, and we repeat the ‘mile.’
1864. LE FANU, Uncle Silas, ch. xxxviii. ‘It is awful, an old un like that telling such CRAMS as she do.’
1864. Quiver, 4 June. By some delicate distinction the falsehood presented itself under the guise of a CRAM, and not of a naked lie.
1887. W. E. HENLEY, Villon’s Good-Night. You magsmen bold that work the CRAM.
2. (colloquial).—Hard, forced study. Resulting rather in a test of memory than of capacity.
1872. Morning Post, Oct. 15. Poor Toots, the head boy of Dr. Blimber’s academy … bloomed early and had by CRAM been enabled to answer any given set of questions, and to work any papers at an ‘exam.’
1872. Daily Telegraph, July 25. ‘Speech Day at King’s College School.’ Dr. Maclear also said a few words on the advantage of boys going up straight from school to college without any interval of CRAM.
1878. PAYN, By Proxy, ch. xii. They have gained their position by CRAM of the philosophic kind.
3. (colloquial).—One who prepares another for an examination; a coach; a ‘grindstone.’
1861. DUTTON COOK, Paul Foster’s Daughter, ch. ix. ‘I shall go to a coach, a CRAM, a grindstone.’
4. (university).—An adventitious aid to study; a translation; a ‘crib.’ For synonyms, see PONY.
1853. REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, pt. II., p. 68. The infatuated Mr. Bouncer madly persisted … in going into the Schools clad in his examination coat, and padded over with a host of CRAMS.
Verb (colloquial).—1. To study at high pressure for an examination. Also to prepare one for examination. Cf., DIG and COACH.
1803. Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, s.v.
1825–27. HONE, The Every-day Book, Feb. 22. Shutting my room door, as if I was ‘sported in’ and CRAMMING Euc.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, chap. li., p. 446. ‘He CRAMMED for it, to use a technical but expressive term; he read up for the subject, at my desire, in the Encyclopædia Britannica.’
1844. Puck, p. 13. Though for Great Go and for Small, I teach Paley, CRAM and all.
1872. BESANT and RICE, My Little Girl. The writer of one crushing article CRAMMED for it, like Mr. Pott’s young man.
2. (general).—To lie; to deceive. [Literally to stuff with nonsense.] For synonyms, see STICK.
1794. Gentleman’s Magazine, p. 1085. Luckily, I CRAMMED him so well, that at last honest Jollux tipped me the cole [money].
1822. SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xviii. A thousand ridiculous tales … with some specimens of which our friend Richie Moniplies had been CRAMMED … by the malicious apprentice.
