The Shop
Navy & army illustrated v.2 (1896)
The Royal Military Academy is known throughout the Services as “The Shop,” but the origin of this term is uncertain. Up to quite recently there were many quaint customs and rules of etiquette, which, though entirely unofficial, were strictly observed by the cadets according to seniority of standing. As an example of this the last-joined cadets or “snookers” on appearing at the school-of-arms on band nights had to sit in the gallery until told to come down by the (cadet) band corporal, usually after the first piece had been played, when they remained standing by the doors unless asked to walk round by a cadet of senior term. Second term cadets were excused these formalities, but could not invite “snookers” to walk round nor to sit down, and had to appear in uniform; while “third termers” and upwards might attend in flannels and enjoy themselves at their ease generally.
A snooker seen wearing his chin strap up was considered to have been guilty of irregularity, and another old institution which died very hard and is worthy of a passing remark was the “Snooker Concert.” Shortly after the commencement of a term, a notice would be passed round in hall that “the last joined gentlemen proposed to give a concert on a certain date, and that all were cordially invited to attend.” This was accompanied by a programme on which every snooker’s name was down for a song in character, and each had to take his “turn” whether he had a note of music in his composition or not. The concert hall was a passage in one of the front houses, the platform a barrack-room table. These concerts were usually organized by the second term cadets, and the preparations included a liberal supply of sponges and “tosh cans” full of water, the former being hurled with more or less accuracy of aim at the performers, according to the fancy of the audience, but usually with strict impartiality. When the numbers on the programme were exhausted, certain of the senior cadets would condescend to oblige with a song, and the company generally broke up a few minutes before “rounds” with the impression of having spent a pleasant and profitable evening. Offences against the social etiquette of “The Shop” were also punished by “running up,” or “turning up,” as it was previously called. The barrack-room beds were provided with a hinge about three feet from the head to admit of their being folded up when not in use, and this fact was often taken advantage of to express disapprobation when the occupant was asleep in bed.