"hivey" (quick to learn; U.S. Military Academy slang)--Origin?

[Cohen, Gerald Leonard]

   HDAS lists "hivey" (quick to learn) in U.S. Military Academy slang, with the first attestation from 1931. Would anyone know its etymology? And how about "spoon up" (put in order)?

Gerald Cohen
P.S.: Barry Popik (12/19/04 ads-l message) reprints a 23 Dec. 1956 item from the Chicago Daily Tribune titled: "West Point's Slang..." "Hivey" (as "hivey army brat") and "spoon up" appear in the article:
        "The low ranking plebe, who has to brace (assume correct military carriage), spoon up (put in order), tour (hour's walk), might be a hivey (quick to learn), army brat (son of officer), but he must not get B. J. (bold before June)."

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