The story
From torpid + -s, since the boats used were slower than those in other races.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
torpids
Today it means: A series of annual boat races held at Oxford University in Hilary Term. Full definition →
Today it means: A series of annual boat races held at Oxford University in Hilary Term. Full definition →
From torpid + -s, since the boats used were slower than those in other races.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.