Campus Terminology & Slang
American college students speak colorful, idiomatic English that may be quite different from the vocabulary you studied in school. Even a native English speaker may be confused at times by the combination of slang, technical words, and academic terms that characterize campus conversation.
There are too many slang words to thoroughly list here (some we won't mention at all!) but the following is a short list of some of the words and expressions you may hear from American students. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask someone the meaning of a particular word or phrase.
Academic/Campus Terms top>>
- to ace: To earn a grade of "A". Example: "I'll ace the exam."
- a college: A division of the University where a group of related academic departments are administered as a unit by a dean.
- to cram: Frantic effort to learn neglected lessons right before a test. "I crammed all night for that exam."
- Dead Week: The week before final examinations. Professors are not permitted to give unannounced tests or papers during Dead Week.
- Drop/Add: The process of withdrawing from some courses and adding others to your class schedule during the first few days of the semester.
- an exam: A test or examination on which students usually receive a grade.
- feedback: A response or reaction. "The issue is very controversial. There will be a lot of negative feedback on it."
- finals: Final examinations given at the end of the semester.
- to flunk: To fail a test or subject. "I flunked English."
- Gators: The nickname of the school's athletic team and UF students in general. The alligator, or 'gator', is the school's mascot. "Go Gators!"
- Greeks: Members of organizations called fraternities (for men) and sororities (for women).
- to hit the books: To study. "I can't go out tonight. I've got to hit the books."
- Homecoming: A University of Florida festival held in late October or early November, coinciding with a home football game. Classes are cancelled the Friday of Homecoming week.
- I.D.: Identification card. You'll need to show your student I.D. to check out a library book.
- incomplete: An "I" notation appears on a transcript in place of a grade if a student is unable to complete the class requirements and needs more time to finish. It becomes an "E" (or failing grade) if the student doesn't complete the work by the following semester.
- mid-term: An examination given in the middle of the semester.
- to petition: The process of making a formal request for a change in some academic regulations applied to you. "I had to petition to drop that class."
- Plaza: The park in front of the Library West and Smathers Library that is called the "Plaza of the Americas." "I'm going to eat lunch on the Plaza."
- quiz: A short test.
- Registrar's office: The office that deals with all student records. The Registrar organizes registration for students, processes grades, transcripts, drop/add requests, change of addresses, and many other aspects of a student's academic record. UF's Registrar's Office is located in Criser Hall.
- red tape: Bureaucratic delay and paperwork. "There is so much red tape involved in withdrawing from a class!"
- seminar: A small class involving open discussion among the students and professor.
- term paper: A research report written for a class.
- to withdraw: To voluntarily resign from the University or from a particular course.
Other Slang Terms top>>
- burned out: To be exhausted and lacking enthusiasm. "After exams, I feel totally burned out."
- bucks: Dollars. "You can save a couple of bucks by buying something on sale."
- guts: Courage. "It takes guts to register for 18 credit hours!"
- into: Intense enthusiasm for something. "She's really into playing tennis."
- jerk: An obnoxious person. "He's a real jerk!"
- jock: An athlete.
- on the ball: Alert, quick to respond. "You must be on the ball if you get a good grade in that class."
- to rip off: To steal or cheat. "Someone ripped off his bike."
- take out: To order food from a restaurant but pick it up and take it home rather than eat it in the restaurant. (Almost the same as "to go").
- to go: To order fast food and take it "to go" instead of eating it at the restaurant.