. Glossary .
TermDefinition
Arch 'n' AnthShort for Archaelogy and Anthropology
AsnacAnglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic
The BacksBig grassy areas behind the colleges on the river
BedderThe lovely people that clean your room, and empty your bins each day. Once upon a time they used to make the beds (and some still do) - hence the name!
BoatiesPeople who row, and generally seem to have to get up early in the morning to do it
BopAn ent, more often than not dedicated to the latest and greatest or at least 'most mature' cheese
CatzSt Catharine's College
CheeseFrom 70s disco hits to the latest Steps releases, the staple musical diet of university nightlife.
Cindy'sA local night club in Lion Yard - Officially called Ballare - but everyone knows it as
Coming up Arriving in Cambridge at the start of term - at the end of term you "go down"
CompsciComputer Scientist
CuppersTournament between colleges in most sports
CUSUCambridge University Students' Union
DoSDirector of Studies - you will meet yours at the beginning of term
Easter TermAlso known as Exam Term - the term between Easter and the Long Vacation
ECSUEmmanuel College Students' Union
EmmaEmmanuel College
EntsEntertainments - most often musically based and in the evenings (good work avoidance)
ExecThe Executive - a group elected by the members of ECSU who take on specific responsibilities
FellowAn academic affiliated to a college usually to do teaching and or research.
FitzFitzwilliam College
FreshersNew students - usually in their first year
Full termThe 8-9 weeks that you must be in residence in Cambridge to qualify for a degree
GradGraduate
Gyp roomRoom in which the (now extinct) College manservants (Gyps) sat. Name given to the kitchens on the staircases.
JCRJunior Combination Room - refers either to a common room, or to the student representative body (ECSU)
JesterThe Jester is the smiley sculpture in the Emma Paddock
'Keys'Gonville and Caius College
LEALocal Education Authority
Lent TermThe term between Christmas and Easter.
MathmoMathematician
MatriculationBecoming a member of the college and the university.
May BallAll-night decadent black tie event put on by many of the colleges in June
May WeekWeek in June given over to enjoyment after the exams have finished
MCRMiddle Combination Room - refers either to the graduate common room, or the representative body for graduate students.
NatsciNatural Scientist
NPRNormal 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)
NUSNational Union of Students
P'holePigeonhole - where you pick up your post
PlodgePorters' Lodge
PuntingExploit 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
ReporterThe Cambridge University Reporter - lecture lists galore in this black and white directory. Available at the University Press Bookshop or any other bookshop in Cambridge.
Roar!Weekly Emmanuel College newsletter
SPSSocial and Political Sciences (or as an insult to someone who does no work)
SquashSociety event at the beginning of term to try and make you join them, usually with free drinks
Tit HallTrinity Hall College
UndergradUndergraduate
Van of LifeThe kebab van on the North of Market Square - visit at your peril!
Van of DeathThe best kebab van in Cambridge, on the South side of Market Square