I suppose the term is in contradistinction to an honourable degree, which is obtained by pale men in spectacles and cotton stockings, after thirty-six months of intense application.
I do not exactly remember how I spent my time at Cambridge.

I had a piano-forte in my room, and a private billiard-room at a village two miles off; and between these resources, I managed to improve my mind more than could reasonably have been expected.

To say truth, the whole place reeked with vulgarity.

The men drank beer by the gallon, and eat cheese by the hundred weight--wore jockey-cut coats, and talked slang--rode for wagers, and swore when they lost--smoked in your face, and expectorated on the floor.

Their proudest glory was to drive the mail--their mightiest exploit to box with the coachman--their most delicate amour to leer at the barmaid.
It will be believed, that I felt little regret in quitting companions of this description.