The unique vocabulary at this prestigious boarding school in Malaysia is steeped in over a hundred years of history
Our language today is peppered with hashtags, abbreviations and other tropes, courtesy of the digital age – yet it’s impressive to note that a community of students and teachers over in Iskandar Puteri, Johor follow a different standard when it comes to describing aspects of school life.
While terms like ‘Common room’ and ‘Tutor’ are familiar enough to most of us, only a true-blue Marlburian knows the meaning of words like ‘Exeat’, or ‘Remove’ by heart.
See also: Exploring Boarding Life At Marlborough College Malaysia
“Terms such as ‘Beak’ (meaning a teacher) and ‘Michaelmas Term’ (the school term from late August to December) are a daily reminder to pupils of how privileged they are to be studying in a school steeped in history,” says Marlborough College Malaysia marketing and communications head, Charlotte Duncan. “These words will link to memories they will make at the school, which last a lifetime.”
See also: The Best International Schools In Malaysia
While words like ‘Beak’ or ‘Shell’ may even be overheard in other boarding schools in the UK, Charlotte says, terms like these are not as extensively used as at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England and by extension, Marlborough College Malaysia.
Below, we look at some of the common terms that have made their way into this famed British boarding school and what they mean in context.
