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TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Cambridge > Cambridge Slang

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1st-8th Week The eight weeks in a full term (when lectures are run – supervisions can be arranged outside this time), a system frequently used in place of calendar dates. A Cambridge week starts on a Thursday and finishes on a Wednesday.

Alumni Plural for alumnus. Former students, many of whom are famous and distinguished, including Issac Newton, Charles Darwin, Lord Byron, Sylvia Plath, Stephen Hawking, Douglas Adams, Germaine Greer, to name but a few.

APU Anglia Polytechnic University. Another university in central Cambridge, main campus on East Road, just opposite the Grafton Centre. Now Anglia Ruskin University or ARU, because they didn't like being thought of as a poly.

Arch n Anth Cambridge slang for the subject Archaeology and Anthropology, and anyone studying it.

ASNAC Cambridge slang for the subject Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic, and anyone studying it.

Backs, the The rear part of the big colleges (Queens’, Kings, Clare, Trinity Hall, Trinity, Johns mainly) which are next to the River Cam, which Queens Road runs along on. A beautiful part of Cambridge with magnificent view on the majestic architecture and beautiful gardens.

Ballot The draw deciding one’s position within a year group in choosing accommodation for the coming year. The method of selections varies between colleges.

Bank Holidays Public holidays not enjoyed by Cambridge students.

Baxter, the The internal inter-college academic league table, available for colleges and departments of the University only.

Bedders The cleaning and maintenance staff in some colleges who comes into students’ rooms in the mornings and clear out the bins/makes up the bed/hoover the room/etc. Also can become the gossip central.

Blades During the four days of bumps, if a crew bumps everyday, its crew members receive blades for the glory.

Blues The University’s first team for any sport. Also refers to the students who play in these teams.

Boatie Cambridge slang for someone who rows.

Book Grants Many colleges pay towards the cost of your textbooks.

Bop Equivalent of school discos at a Cambridge College, normally cheesy, but expanding to alternative scenes. Generally organised by ents. The most famous scenes in Cambridge include the Kings Cellar, Queens’ Bops, Johns’ Boiler Room, Clare Cellar and Churchill’s Pav. See individual colleges for more detail.

Bumps The most talked of Cambridge rowing race. A solution to the difficulty created by the narrow River Cam to a side by side race. All crews start at the same time, with a length and a half of clear water in between each boat. One wins the race by "bumping" (i.e. to make physical contact with) the boat in front. Currently two are held each year, one in Lent week 6 (Lent Bumps) and one in May week (May Bumps, or Mays).

Bursar Person responsible for a college’s finances.

Bursary Means-tested financial aid offered by all colleges and the University to reduce burdens of tuition fees or living costs.

Caius Gonville and Caius College. Pronounced "keys".

Cam The river in Cambridge. Home to the boaties.

Cambridge Union, the Or the Union. Primarily a debating society, also organises many other events and houses many great facilities. Events include talks from famous speakers ranging from global political leaders to powerful businessmen, to celebrities from the entertainment business; and of course the regular ents such as free Ben ‘n’ Jerry’s, wine tasting, Ann Summers Party, etc. Not CUSU.

Cantab Another name for Cambridge. Now only used in cantab.net, the website for Cambridge alumni. Also picked up on by the students from the other place, who calls the Cambridge students the "tabs". A "Cantabrigian" is the correct name for a Cambridge graduate, just as an "Oxonian" studied at Oxford.

Catz St Catherine’s College.

Cellar Posh name for underground college bars.

Chancellor When the "organisation" of what started the University of Cambridge, the chancellor was the voted representative of the organisation who held an active role within the University. Today the Chancellor is the titular head of the University, who has no executive duties any more and is essentially a fund-raising manager and could represent the University’s interests in court. Currently HRH Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Cindy’s One of the few Cambridge nightclubs, current official name Ballare (Italian for "dance"). Cindy’s was the name around 15 years ago; then named Fifth Avenue but due to sticky carpets the students nicknamed it Filth; refurbished and changed its name to Ballare during summer 2003. Currently the night club backed by CUSU hence has a high student traffic.

Citi 4 The old name for the Uni4 bus service. This name is now given to the replacement to the old 14 bus, which follows the same route through the City centre to the West Cambridge site, but then continues to Cambourne. University Card holders currently have to pay full rate on this service, running every 20 minutes during the week day, although this may change if the University provide a subsidy for University Card Holders for the whole Citi bus network as previously suggested.

Clare Novice Regatta Novice rowing regatta held by Clare College Boat Club at the end of November.

Classes Larger-scale supervisions, typically from five to twenty students. Generally used in numerate subjects to cover topics quickly where more interaction than a lecture is required but a supervision would be a waste of resources.

CMS Centre for Mathematics Sciences. Situated on Wilberforce Road, near Churchill College and Wolfson Court of Girton College.

College The centre of your student life. Cambridge is not a university itself but rather a collection of colleges, which serve as halls of residence, academic bases and centres of student support. It provides everything a student would need, especially tutorials and friendship, except lectures. It is also the basis of traditions and rivalries, and forms a central part of many students' sense of identity.

College Parents The JCR of many colleges organises a college parenting system, where each first year student is allocated two upper year students, normally one male and one female, "married" together at the end of summer term. They are there to look after their college "children", answer any queries and introduce them to Cambridge life.

Computing Service See CUCS below.

Cox (Rowing). The small one who yells at all the rowers but doesn’t have an oar.

CUCS Cambridge University Computing Services. Situated at the back of New Museum Site on Pembroke Street. In charge of the University’s IT services and offers university members free courses in IT and computing.

Cuppers The inter-college cup match (knock-out) run in Lent, available in many sports.

CUSU Cambridge University Student Union. Affiliate of NUS. One is automatically a member on becoming member of the University. Provides welfare and other services such as ents, and campaigns on the students’ behalf. But unlike other universities does not provide a central student venue (although one is being planned).

Dean The name for official responsible for discipline in some colleges.

Domestic Bursar Person responsible for a college’s all domestic affairs.

DOS Director of Studies. This is the head of your subject at your college. He/She will be your primary contact for any academic affairs during your study at the University of Cambridge. You will see him/her at least twice a term to review your progress.

Drinking Societies Most colleges of Cambridge have at least one drinking society of its own – some have one for each year. In the years when drinking was regarded to be "illegal" by the University, these were the underground societies which gathered the students to drink "merrily" behind the officials. Since drinking has become openly acceptable, those have become register societies to organise formal swaps and cocktail evenings.

Easter Term The last term of an academic year, also known as the exam term. Runs from mid April to end June.

Emma Emmanuel College.

Emma Sprints Novice rowing race held by Emmanuel College Boat Club at the end of November. Crews are to row in fancy dress.

Ents The Cambridge slang for "entertainment". Refers to the event being organised, such as Bops. Also refers to the entertainment officers (ents officers) on the JCR or MCR.

Ergo, or Erg The official name for the rowing machines that you generally find in a normal gym. More commonly used than the phrase "rowing machine" due to the heavy boatie culture in the University.

Ethernet The network currrently employed by most big organisations. Here it refers to the university or college network: the access point for shared disk space, college printers and the Internet.

Example Sheets Encounter by mathmos, engineers and natscis mainly. Worksheets which are worked through and handed into the supervisors to be discussed in supervisions.

Fairbairns The rowing race at the end of Michaelmas Term, organised by Jesus College Boat Club. Total length around 4.2k for senior crews and 2.7k for novice crews.

Fenners University Cricket Ground, located behind Kelsey Kerridge.

Finalist Anyone taking their Final Tripos exams at the end of the academic year.

Finals The degree-awarding examinations at the end of the degree course.

Fitz Fitzwilliam College.

Formal Hall A formal dinner held at least a week in most colleges of the University. Senior members of the College sit at the high table, the students and their guests fill the remaining of the hall. Gowns have to be worn over a smart attire (suits for men and smart casual for women) and a three-course meal is generally served. Generally cheaper than eating out. Lots of societies in Cambridge do formal swaps.

Formal Swap Societies may invite each other to a formal hall at a college. A great social event and especially active between sports societies and drinking societies.

Freshers New students admitted to the University of Cambridge. Technically only students who have not yet been matriculated but typically referred to as first years.

Freshers Fair Aka Societies Fair. Organised by CUSU and normally held in Kelsey Kerridge on the Tuesday and Wednesday just before lectures start. Where hundreds of University/College organisations, societies and sports teams try to recruit new freshers and generally new members. Lots of businesses have stalls there too and it generally becomes a freebies’ heaven.

Gardies The nickname given to the Greek Kebab shop named The Gardenirs on Rose Crescent. Much beloved by the Cambridge student community.

Girton A little village several miles north of Cambridge town, home to Girton College (half an hour cycle ride).

Gown Every college has its own type of gowns. Must be worn on formal occasions such as the formal hall in some more traditional colleges; all wear them for matriculation [except King's] and graduation.

Grad Graduate.

Grad Pad Officially known as the University Centre, situated at the Granta Place, just around the corner from Mill Lane. A central building for graduates mainly, but welcomes any members of the University.

Grafton Centre The City Shopping Centre complex, situated on East Road. Has cinema (Vue) and restaurants.

Half Blue Awarded to students chosen to represent the University in the "lesser" sports.

Hawks The Hawks’ Club is the club of male blues. A "hawk" refers to a student who is a blues player.

Hill, the Generally referred to the tiny hillock on Castle Street leading up to Huntingdon Road, where Fitz and New Hall are found. Originated because Cambridge is generally flat and it is an easy job to cycle around, "up the hill" becomes a lot more hard work in comparison.

ICMS Inter-College Mail Services. Internal mail service between the colleges.

JCR The Junior Combination Room. The public lounge within a college where undergraduates relax and socialise. Also the organisation that represents the undergraduates and holds activities within a college (also called the JCR Executive).

John’s St John’s College. to the tune of 'she'll be coming round the mountain': 'oh we'd rather be at oxford than st johns we'd rather be at oxford than st johns...'

June Event A more modern version of the May Ball, held in May week. Generally less expensive and of shorter time, but just as fun. An approach started by Kings College, and is now taken up by several Cambridge colleges.

Kelsey Kerridge The central Cambridge Sports Centre.

Kitchen Fixed Charge, or KFC Most colleges (at Undergraduate level at least) charge a Kitchen Fixed Charge. This goes towards the subsidised college canteen and kitchen facilities and utilities.

LBG, or LesBiGay Lesbian, Bisexuals and Gay. A community openly accepted at Cambridge, and there is a JCR post available in most colleges which looks after the welfare this community.

League The inter-college league match run in Michaelmas, available in many sports.

League Tables The inter-college league tables ranking each college in its academic brilliance.

Lent Term The second term of an academic year, runs from mid January to mid March.

Living Out Not living in college. Usually due to not being offer a room in college.

Market Square The town centre. In front of the City Guild Hall.

Master The name for official responsible for discipline in some colleges.

Mathematical Bridge, The The Wooden Bridge (real name) linking the two parts of Queens’ College. Legend has it (told by the tour guides) that Sir Issac Newton built the bridge without a single nail or screw; then the students and fellows of the college dissembled it and were unable to put it back together. Legend in this case is unfortunately untrue. The bridge was built in 1749 by James Essex the Younger (1722-1784) to the design of William Etheridge (1709-1776). Sir Issac Newton died in 1727 and hence has nothing to do with the bridge. The bridge was then rebuilt to the same design in 1866 and 1905.

Mathmo Cambridge slang for someone who studies Mathematics.

Matriculation A College ceremony attended by freshers, normally conducted by the figurehead of the College, to signify the official admission of the students as a member of Cambridge University and the College. Ceremonies vary between colleges, some being a simple signing and some involving the chapel, Latin, cap-doffing etc. Different from the Oxford ceremony which is done centrally.

May ball The end of year ball held by a lot of colleges in May week.

May week The week when most May Balls and June Events are held, just after all undergraduate exams are finished. Generally in mid June.

MCR The Middle Combination Room. The public lounge within a college where graduates relax and socialise. Also the organisation that represents the graduates and holds activities within a college (also called the MCR Executive).

Michaelmas Term The first term of an academic year, runs from early October to early December.

Mill Lane Sits the Mill Lane Lecture Rooms and the Careers Service. Parallel to Silver Street and opposite Pembroke College.

Mill Road Other side of Cambridge town to Mill Lane, housing lots of students living out. Lots of food shops, Kelsey Kerridge and Grafton Centre are nearby. Home of a "proper chip shop", i.e. one that sells proper chunky chips, not the crap you get in town.

MML Modern & Medieval Languages.

Natsci Cambridge slang for someone who studies Natural Sciences. Sometimes pronounced 'natski'

New Museum Site A main lecture and department site for most first year lectures and houses the University Computing Service and several scientific departments.

Newnham Short Course The rowing race in Lent Week 3, organised by Newnham College Boat Club.

Newton Trust Bursary A University-wide bursary scheme set up by Trinity College in an attempt to use its wealth to help the entire University. Works by contributing to a percentage of an individual college’s Newton Trust Bursary fund taking account of the college’s finance, and the college contributes the rest. Trinity College itself does not receive any contribution from this fund and contributes 100% under this scheme.

Organ Scholarship Most college have one or two Organ Scholars in residence each year. They are chosen by competitive audition in September when they apply. Standard of organ playing and sight reading have to be high-between Grade 8 and diploma level. To be an Organ Scholar in most colleges it means that you’d play the organ for services, direct the college choir and organise some sort of music society. Anyone can apply to Organ Scholarships in August before the main application deadline.

Open Application An application which does not specify a first-choice college, which results in the applicant being allocated a college by the central Admissions Office (normally one with lower application rate in your chosen subject).

Osprey The female version of the hawks.

P’hole See Pigeon Hole below.

Pembroke Regatta The rowing regatta in Lent Week 5, organised by Pembroke College Boat Club.

Personal Tutor Your welfare contact during your time at the University of Cambridge. Usually a fellow in a different subject.

Pigeon Hole A space in the plodge or the College mailroom, of which there is one for each student. Generally the "letter box" during one’s time at Cambridge.

Plodge Cambridge slang for Porters Lodge.

Pool When a candidate is rejected at his/her chosen college due to limitation of places at a particular college, the Director of Studies may place him/her in the winter pool for consideration at another college with a place for his/her subject. When a candidate fails his/her offer by a small difference, or due to reasons such as illness or family crisis, he/she can be placed in the summer pool to be considered by another college with a place for his/her subject.

Porters Multi-functional college staff who act as receptionists, administrators (to an extend), mailmen and sometimes porters. Generally known as the "grumpy old men" in Cambridge – however there are occasionally nice ones in few colleges.

Porters Lodge Generally at the front gate of a college which houses the porters.

Prelims Preliminary exams. Held in some subject such as History, where the Part I lasts two years and is not divided into Part IA and IB like many other subjects.

Principle The name for official responsible for discipline in some colleges.

President Mainly the one who runs any club or societies. Also the name for official responsible for discipline in some colleges (e.g. Queens’ College).

Proctor Officials presiding over a number of aspects of university life including discipline, societies and examinations.

Provost The name for official responsible for discipline in some colleges.

Punting A punt is a flat-bottomed boat, typically used in small rivers and canals. It is propelled by pushing the riverbed with a long pole. Punting is a popular tourist and leisure activity on the River Cam, especially for students as an escape from the pressure of exam term, and celebrations when exams are over. An option for a possibly romantic, or possibly hilarious trip on the River Cam.

RAG Raising And Giving. A university-wide charity organisation with RAG reps in every college, working closely with the CRs. It organises event throughout the year, and runs a RAG total for each college to encourage participation.

Robinson Head The rowing race in Lent Week 4, organised by Robinson College Boat Club.

Rowed Over During bumps, if a crew doesn’t get bumped or bump, it has "rowed over".

Room-draw See Ballot.

Scholar Academic high-flyer recognised by the University or College, usually for achievement of a First Class in their non-final tripos exams.

SCR The Senior Combination Room. A public lounge for the senior members of a Cambridge college.

Seeley The History Library situation on Sidgwick Site, Sidgwick Avenue.

Senate House Situated on Kings Parade, next to Kings College main entrance and opposite the Kings College Chapel. It is where Cambridge students graduate, and tripos results are posted outside this building at the end of the academic year.

Senior Tutor The head of academic affairs in a college.

Sidgwick Site A main lecture and department site on Sidgwick Avenue, housing the departments of most arts subjects, including ASNAC, Classics, Divinity, Economics, English, History, Law, Linguistics, MML, Music, Oriental Studies, Philosophy and Theology and Religious Studies.

Spoons During the four days of bumps, if a crew gets bumped every single day, it gets "spoons" (of the wooden variety). The opposite of Blades - an utter shame and all crews try to avoid it.

SPS Social Political Sciences.

Squire The Law Library situation on Sidgwick Site, Sidgwick Avenue.

Suicide Sunday The Sunday just before May Week. Usually the day where there is no more exams for the year. Lots of celebrations on this day.

Super Supervision, see below.

Supervisions Sometimes referred to as "supers". A unique teaching system where students are taught in small groups (generally two to four students). Makes up at least half of the Cambridge learning experience, apart from lectures, and labs for science students.

Supervisors Departmental staff or postgraduate students who give supervisions.

TCS, the "The Cambridge Student". A student run newspaper by CUSU. See also Varsity.

The Other Place Oxford University, and are referred as the "Fordies."

The Vans The Van of Life and the Van of Death, the two mobile food suppliers open in the Market Square every night from around 8pm until 3am, manna from the gods just after a night out.

Tit Hall Trinity Hall, a Cambridge college.

Tompkins, the The unofficial league table started by a Mathematics undergrad by the name of Peter Tompkins in 1981. Published on student newspapers (the Varsity and the TCS) and national newspapers such as the Independent. See related article.

Travel Grants Some colleges pay for or towards foreign travel. Usually a trip report is expected.

Tripos The Cambridge degree exam system. Divides an undergraduate degree into blocks of one or two years, and examinations are held at the end of each part. Transfer between subject is possible after completion of earlier parts.

UL The University Library. A Copyright Library with an extensive collection of books and indeed anything ever published in Britain and around the world. Located between the Backs, the Sidgwick site and Grange Road. Looks like a factory.

UMS University Mail Services. Internal mail service between departments of the University.

Uni4 A bus service that runs from Addenbrooke's Hospital in south of Cambridge to Madingley Road, northwest of Cambridge, where Churchill College, the Maths dept, the Computer Lab, Science Park and the Veterinary Hospital can be found. The service is run every 20 minutes during week day and is 50p to all members of university on showing of one’s University Card. source

Vacation The university's preferred alternative word to 'holiday', meant to remind you that it should be spent on degree work rather than relaxation - as if.

Varsity Inter-UK university, usually referred to between Oxford and Cambridge. Also a classic restaurant on Regent Street.

Varsity, the An independent student run newspaper. See also TCS.

Vice Chancellor The principal academic and administrative officer. Currently Professor Alison Richard.

WAGN The main train service operating in Cambridge. Operates the one-stop train from Cambridge to London Kings Cross, which only takes around 45-50mins. If you're unfortunate enough to live in the Midlands, train services to there are run by Central and are much less speedy.

Week 5 Blues When the beginning-of-term partying dies down a little bit and work piles to the level that’s pulling your heart strings. It is said that Cambridge students find 5th week a tough week with mounting work pressure, and naturally the Union and societies organise parties and relaxing sessions to "cure" those Week 5 blues.