Glossary
Here you’ll find a (non-exclusive) list of terms used by students at Cambridge.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Arch ‘n’ Anth | Short for Archaelogy and Anthropology |
| The Backs | Big grassy areas behind the colleges on the river |
| Boaties | People who row, and generally seem to have to get up early in the morning to do it |
| Catz | St Catharine’s College |
| Cindies | A local night club in Lion Yard - Officially called Ballare - but everyone knows it as Cindies |
| Compsci | Computer Scientist |
| CUSU | Cambridge University Students’ Union |
| Easter Term | Also known as Exam Term - the term between Easter and the Long Vacation |
| Emma | Emmanuel College |
| Exec | The Executive - a group elected by the members of ECSU who take on specific responsibilities |
| Fitz | Fitzwilliam College |
| Full term | The 8-9 weeks that you must be in residence in Cambridge to qualify for a degree |
| Gyp room | Room in which the (now extinct) College manservants (Gyps) sat. Name given to the kitchens on the staircases. |
| Jester | The Jester is the smiley sculpture in the Emma Paddock |
| LEA | Local Education Authority |
| Mathmo | Mathematician |
| May Ball | All-night decadent black tie event put on by many of the colleges in June |
| MCR | Middle Combination Room - refers either to the graduate common room, or the representative body for graduate students. |
| NPR | Normal Period of Residence - the ten weeks of term that you pay for room rental (even if you are not there for the full 10 weeks) |
| P’hole, Pidge | Pigeonhole - where you pick up your post |
| Punting | Exploit this in the summer, as you may well get very wet; involves propelling yourself along the river with a wooden pole, whilst standing on a flat wooden boat |
| Roar! | Weekly Emmanuel College newsletter |
| Squash | Society event at the beginning of term to try and make you join them, usually with free drinks |
| Undergrad | Undergraduate |
| Van of Death | The kebab van on the South of Market Square - visit at your peril! |