Welcome to American University, and welcome to college. If you’re new to
AU, in your first few weeks here you will be bombarded with a litany of
acronyms, abbreviations, nicknames, slang and phrases that are unique to
AU or to the college realm. Here we bring together a brief collection of
the most important definitions – we present the Encyclopedia Americana.
If you're an upperclassmen who knows some terms we don't have, then tell
us via email.
2FIX - (n. too-fiks) - The extension to get ahold of
Physical Plant when something is busted. Usually it will take forever to
get them to do anything. You can also request a repair
online (must login), which goes faster.
ATV - (n. ay-tee-vee) -AU's student TV station. Frequently used in the phrase: I heart my ATV. Popular shows include SportsZone and WTF. Located on the second floor of MGC.
Artemas the Hawk - (n. art-ih-mus thuh hwok) - A hawk who lives in the trees above Kay. There are many stories about how he came to be at AU, including escapes from the DC Zoo, but he mostly provides grotesque entertainment to students on the Quad who witness him swoop down and gore a poor, defenseless squirrel.
Artemas Ward - (n. art-eh-mus war-d) - (Also Artie Ward)
The namesake of the circle where AU rests, and a Major General in the
American Revolution and second-in-command to George Washington. Also the
name of a weeklong celebration near the end of spring semester that
includes a big SUB concert, a carnival on the Quad, a movie shown on a
huge screen on the Quad (Screen on the Green) and several other free,
fun activities.
Beach, the - (n. thuh beech) - Also known as the Grassy Knole. The patch of grass between the SIS Annex, McKinley and the University Center where many students choose to study, nap, and most importantly, tan. Look for skimpy bathing suits the minute the weather gets warm.
Beer Pong - (n. beer pong [come on, do you need help on that
one?]) - Game of skill typically played during parties and long
evenings (depending on your beverage choice). A long table, with ten
cups on each side, and tasty beverages are needed.
Ben Ladner - (n. behn lad-ner) - Also just "Ladner" -- Ben
Ladner is AU's esteemed president, entering his 10th year at AU. He's
one of about 30 university presidents who is paid over $500,000,
somewhere around $560,000 a year, has a house just for show, as well as
another swank house up the street. He new salary information is still
secret, although it was raised last spring by the Board of Trustees.
Ladner is rarely seen on campus, and it is a big deal with he's spotted.
Bermuda Triangle - (n. bur-mu-da tri-angh-ul) - A mythical state of adminstartive purgatory that many students find themselves trapped in when attempting to resolve account issues. Students are often bounced from one office to the other as each claims that it is the responsibility/fault/problem of another office within the triangle. Financial Aid, Student Accounts and the Registrar make up the three corners of the triangle.
Blacklisting - (v. blahk-lihst-ing) - A rare version of the grey squirrel, black squirrels are easily recognized by their attractive shiny jet-black coat and scraggier tail, and seem to thrive in DC. Where the regular grey squirrels are fairly friendly towards people, the black ninja squirrels are fearless and completely insane. At one point in 1997, the black ninja squirrels controlled all of Leonard Hall, and it took Public Safety two months to displace the black ninja squirrel regime.
Black (Ninja) Squirrels - (v. blahk nin-juh skwer-rels) - A rare version of the grey squirrel, black squirrels are easily recognized by their attractive shiny jet-black coat and scraggier tail, and seem to thrive in DC. Where the regular grey squirrels are fairly friendly towards people, the black ninja squirrels are fearless and completely insane. At one point in 1997, the black ninja squirrels controlled all of Leonard Hall, and it took Public Safety two months to displace the black ninja squirrel regime.
Blue Card - (n. bloo card) - A form that allows you to get
into a class that is already full. You have to convince both the
professor and the department head to sign it, which is a rare occurance.
(v. bloo card) - The act of using a blue card to get into a
closed class.
Blue Lights - (n. blew līts) - The security poles
randomly placed across campus featuring a single button that activates a
two-way radio connection to Public Safety. Public Safety claims that you
can see a blue light from any standing location on campus, which is
debatable, but many complain that just because you can see it does not
mean you can reach it. Scandal surrounding their usefulness and
ridiculous response times arose during the issues in the 2003-2004
school year involving a mysterious boob-and-ass-grabbing man.
Chapter Rooms - (n. chah-ptur ruhms) - Rooms located on the “bridges” of the 2nd Floor in Anderson Hall. They are slightly larger than regular dorm rooms and were awarded to fraternities and sororities based on a system devised by the Office of Greek Life called GAP points, a system hated by Greeks. These rooms are used for meetings and to store “stuff”, which some large student organizations argue is unfair to them.
Chinatown Express - (n. cheye-nah-town eks-prehs) - A bus
featuring a $35 round trip to New York City that can lead to a great
trip to NYC.. There used to be two companies that left at late
night hours for NYC from DC's Chinatown, but now there are a dozen. A new one, Vamoose Bus, leaves from
Tenleytown.
Davenport - (n. da-vin-port) - A student-run co-op coffee
shop location in the SIS building. Moderately overpriced, closes too
early to be a popular spot for students on campus.
Food for Fines - (n. fewd for fihnes) - From the middle of November to the middle of December, the Library runs a program where fines and fees can be paid for with canned goods. For each eight-ounce or larger can, you can clear away a dollar owed to the library, although you’re limited to 20 cans per person. Students wait until this period to pay off library fines.
Floorcest - (n. flor-sest) - Having sexual relations with
an individual who lives on your floor. Popular for its ease of location,
but a known cause of floor drama.
FSE - (n. ef-ess-ee) - Also see Freshman Slave Experience. Several days devoted to turning ideas into action, and action into service! The experience can lead to long-lasting friendships, but more frequently it will result in odd looks from "that kid who was in FSE with you" and a horrible case of poison ivy.
Housing Alphabet Soup - (n. whatever) - The resulting
effect from being overwhelmed by the sheer number of acronyms used by
Housing and Dining Programs. The important ones are: DR = a person who
works the front desk, RA = the person in charge of your floor, RD = the
person in charge of your whole dorm. We won’t even start into the GA, SC, RHA…
Kiki - (n. key-key) - Kiki Ladner (A.K.A. Nacy Bullard
Ladner) is the wife of Ben Ladner. She is beloved by the student body
and often lusted after by particular youths.
LA Quad - (n. el-ay qwad) - The big square between Letts
and Anderson (hence LA) where Southsiders meetup before parties, hang
out and shmooze. Popular place for smokers now that the halls and
entrance areas are all smoke-free. During pledge weeks numerous
indiscernable chants can be heard from new pledges, along with heckling
from Anderson and Letts rooms that face the LA Quad.
Letto, the - (n. let-oh) - An endearing name for Letts
Hall from its old reputation as a dorm in bad shape. The name has stuck
despite the rennovations completed over the summer of 2003.
Library Amnesty - (n. li-brah-rie am-neh-stie) - The Library offers a 3 day grace period after a due date, during which a book can be returned for no extra fine. Books returned after the grace period has ended will be subject to fines accrued from the date the book was due.
Metro Bingo - (n. meh-tro bing-oh) - A silly game played on Metro Rail platforms by who knows how many Metro riders. When a train is approaching each player selects a blinking light. A player with a blinking light where the doors stop wins. A variant can be played without the lights, just picking spots, or standing between two lights. Often the train conductors will honk at you either in recognition of the game or to get you out of the way.
Nest, the - (n. nehst) - Also known as "The Breast", The
Eagle's Nest is the campus convinient store. Students often balk at the
high prices, but it's on campus. accepts EagleBucks, and is open 24
hours during the week. For some reason, the Nest is closesly relatively
early on Friday and Saturday nights. It's also a popular location for
Southsiders in exile during the inevitable fire alarms.
Norma - (n. nor-muh) - Norma is the sweetheart of TDR. She
can often be found at the entrance to TDR swiping students in with her
partner in crime, Trenita.
North Side - (n. north seyed) - The residential area made
up of Hughes, Leonard and McDowell halls. Generally considered to be the
more quiet, academic housing area. Fewer students live in each hall and
on North Side in total compared to South Side.
Phil Bender - (n. fil behn-dur) - A name associated with a
sporting event where extra effort is focused on generating student
turnout and enthusiasm, based on the concept of completely filling
Bender Arena. These events usually include free t-shirts citing a
variation on the phrase “I did Phil Bender” (“I did Phil Bender in the
Pool”, “I did Phil Bender on the Field”, etc.).
PB - (n. pee-bee) - Park Bethesda is the large apartment
complex that AU leases in Maryland. It's open to students that have
"taken college courses for at least two years" (which means sometimes if
you're a sophomore) and has 258 apartments that vary in size. Mixed
gender apartments are permitted, and it costs about $800 per month
(including parking, utilities, etc.). Also, drinking is allowed, so
parties are plentiful.
Primal Scream - (n. pry-muhl screem) - A North Side
stress-relieving tradition that occurs each semester between Hughes and
McDowell near the Moai statue. The track teams runs naked, girls flash
the gathered crowd, over-worked students scream. Generally occurs at
midnight on the night before finals begin
Quad, the - (n. qwad) - Officially named the Eric A.
Friedheim Quadrangle, the Quad is where most of the academic and main
campus buildings are located. It's grassy patches and tree shaded areas
are popular locations for major campus events, and studying, frisbee
playing and ball kicking (yes, ball kicking) on warm, sunny days of
early Fall and late Spring semesters.
Sexile - (n. sek-sile) - The condition of being forced
from one's room by one's roommate for the purpose of sex, or a sexual
activity. Sometimes roommates OK it ahead of time, sometimes they have a
system of informing (sock on the door), but most often it is unannounced
resulting in an unpleasant interruption, and ensuing awkwardness (and
sleeping in the lounge). - (v. sek-sile) - The act of placing
one's roommate into a state of sexile.
South Side - (n. sowth seyed) - The residential area made
up of Letts, Anderson and Centennial halls. Generally considered to be
the more social part of campus, due in part to the significantly larger
number of residents (especially the high percentage of freshmen in
Anderson), upperclassmen who live in Centennial, and the L-A Quad which
serves as a central meeting place.
Steak ‘n’ Egg - (n. stayke-n-ehg) - Officially named “Osman and Joe’s Steak and Egg Kitchen”. The place for late night eats for AU students. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days week, and always serving delicious foods prepared as near inhuman speeds. Exceptionally busy between midnight and 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays, but the new outdoor seating should help alleviate the crammed interior. An AU student who has not yet made the late night trek up Wisconsin to Steak ‘n’ Egg is no AU student at all.
Tav, the - (n. thu tav) - Home to American Pie, Jamba Juice and Chik-fil-a and open until 11pm. Meal plans can be used at American Pie all day, and at the other two after 6pm. Went through a controversial makeover during the Summer of 2003 including bright neon chairs that led some AU students to coin the nickname "The Max" in reference to the teen hangout in "Saved by the Bell", but the name died quickly.
TDR boyfriend/girlfriend/crush - (n. tee-dee-ar boi-freend/girhl-freend/kruh-sh) - That kid you always see in TDR, or that special someone you hope you always see in TDR. See the TDR Culture page for more TDR definitions.
Teeder - (n. tee-dur) - (Also "TDR" and "Teeder-feeder")
The common name for the Terrace Dining Room, the all-you-can-eat central dining area for campus. Beware of long lines on chicken tender night(Saturday) and the Sunday night dinner rush.
Tenley Vodka - (n. tehn-lee vod-cuh) - The cheapest, nastiest vodka around and sold by Tenley Liqours in Tenleytown. Commonly seen being smuggled into the dorms under shirts or jackets.
Terrace - (n. tare-ass) - Terrace is the word AU uses to
refer to basements (ex. Ward Terrace, Letts Terrace, Terrace Dining
Room). In dorms it results in many confused freshmen who are looking for
room numbers that begin with "T", like T15.
Walk of Shame, the - (n. wok uv shaym) - Having to walk
back across campus or through your hall the morning after a random
hook-up. Yesterday's clothes and general dishevelment are good
indicators of the shame level.
WVAU - (n. duhbuhlewe-vee-ay-ewe) - The acronym for AU's student-run online radio station. If you’re wondering where that music is coming from while on the second floor of MGC, it’s WVAU. Or SUB.
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