POLLOI. [Greek:  Hoi Polloi], the many.  In the University of Cambridge, Eng., those who take their degree without any honor.  After residing something more than three years at this University, at the conclusion of the tenth term comes off the final examination in the Senate-House.  He who passes this examination in the best manner is called Senior Wrangler.  “Then follow about twenty, all called Wranglers, arranged in the order of merit.  Two other ranks of honors are there,—­Senior Optimes and Junior Optimes, each containing about twenty.  The last Junior Optime is termed the Wooden Spoon.  Then comes the list of the large majority, called the Hoy Polloi, the first of whom is named the Captain of the Poll, and the twelve last, the Apostles.”—­Alma Mater, Vol.  I. p. 3.

2.  Used by students to denote the rabble.

  On Learning’s sea, his hopes of safety buoy,
  He sinks for ever lost among the [Greek:  hoi polloi].
    The Crayon, Yale Coll., 1823, p. 21.

PONS ASINORUM.  Vide ASSES’ BRIDGE.

PONY.  A translation.  So called, it may be, from the fleetness and ease with which a skilful rider is enabled to pass over places which to a common plodder present many obstacles.

One writer jocosely defines this literary nag as “the animal that ambulates so delightfully through all the pleasant paths of knowledge, from whose back the student may look down on the weary pedestrian, and ‘thank his stars’ that ’he who runs may read.’”—­Sophomore Independent, Union College, Nov. 1854

And stick to the law, Tom, without a Pony.—­Harv.  Reg., p. 194.

  And when leaving, leave behind us
    Ponies for a lower class;
  Ponies, which perhaps another,
    Toiling up the College hill,
  A forlorn, a “younger brother,”
    “Riding,” may rise higher still.
    Poem before the Y.H.  Soc., 1849, p. 12.

Their lexicons, ponies, and text-books were strewed round their lamps on the table.—­A Tour through College, Boston, 1832, p. 30.

In the way of “pony,” or translation, to the Greek of Father Griesbach, the New Testament was wonderfully convenient.—­New England Magazine, Vol.  III. p. 208.

The notes are just what notes should be; they are not a pony, but a guide.—­Southern Lit.  Mess.

Instead of plodding on foot along the dusty, well-worn McAdam of learning, why will you take nigh cuts on ponies?—­Yale Lit.  Mag., Vol.  XIII. p. 281.

The “board” requests that all who present themselves will bring along the ponies they have used since their first entrance into College.—­The Gallinipper, Dec. 1849.

  The tutors with ponies their lessons were learning.
    Yale Banger, Nov. 1850.

We do think, that, with such a team of “ponies” and load of commentators, his instruction might evince more accuracy.—­Yale Tomahawk, Feb. 1851.