University Life

Abstract

Under this head I find it convenient to mention certain words of which I learnt the full practical significance in the actual conduct of my work. The elements of committee English which I had picked up in the Debating Society were soon reinforced by the constantly heard expressions: standing orders, terms of reference (defining the scope of a committee’s labours), to refer back (to a committee for further consideration), and I gradually got to know the differences between, and relative importance of statutes, ordinances, and regulations. It is regrettable to have to confess that it was not until coming here that I attached any precise meaning to words I had seen before, of the type of log-rolling, lobbying or caucusing for ‘combinations for mutual assistance in political action’, all I think originally American and the first derived from the proverbial phrase ‘You roll my log and I’ll roll yours’. Selection committees to University posts first familiarised me with the meaning of the short list (engere Wahl).