Glossary of Texas A&M University terms

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Many terms are unique to, or hold a special meaning connected with, Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The University, often called A&M or TAMU, is a coeducational public research university and is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. It opened in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the first public institution of higher education in that state. In 1963, the Texas Legislature renamed the school to Texas A&M University to reflect the institution's expanded roles and academic offerings. The letters "A&M" no longer have any explicit meaning but are retained as a link to the university's past.

As a Senior Military College, Texas A&M is one of three public universities with a full-time, volunteer Corps of Cadets. It provides more commissioned officers to the United States Armed Forces than any other school outside the service academies.

Texas A&M University's history as an all-male military institution has led to a unique traditions and terminology. Some phrases come from traditions that include Aggie Bonfire and the athletics program. Others phrases are locations and landmarks around the campus. While most of these terms are used exclusively by Aggies, some are used by the university's rivals. Some terms exclusively used by the Corps of Cadets are not included to narrow the list size.

Video Glossary of Texas A&M University terms

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2 Percenters

Aggies who choose not to participate in Texas A&M traditions.

12th Man

The student section in athletics events.

Maps Glossary of Texas A&M University terms

A

A&M

The initials are part of institution's original name, the "Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas". Term no longer has any explicit meaning in the modern institution's name, but it remains as a link to the institution's past.

Aggie (or Ag)

A student, alumnus, or supporter of Texas A&M University. Several other land grant schools use "Aggie", such as New Mexico State and UC Davis. Adding the name of the state at the beginning of the term (i.e. "Texas Aggie") is often used to distinguish between the different schools.

"Aggies never lose, though they may run out of time"; "Aggies never lose, they just occasionally get outscored"

These quotes or variations of them are said after losing efforts. It gives voice to the idea that the team would have eventually won if the game would have gone on longer.

Aggieland

• Name for Texas A&M and the surrounding metropolitan area, Bryan-College Station, Texas. The phrase, "Welcome to Aggieland", is on the watertower in the middle of campus and on one of the decks of Kyle Field.
• The school's official yearbook.

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B

Bad Bull

Anything not in keeping with Aggie traditions or the Aggie spirit.

Batt

Short for the school newspaper, The Battalion.

Beat the Hell Outta (abbreviated BTHO)

One of the Aggie yells. The phrase is followed by the name of the opposing team or an event or time such as finals or freshman year.

Aggie Bonfire (or Bonfire)

A large bonfire built before the annual college football game against The University of Texas at Austin. Bonfire symbolizes a "burning desire to beat the hell outta t.u." Aggie Bonfire at one time held the world record for the height of a bonfire at 109 ft, 10 in (33 m) tall. Due to the 18 November 1999 collapse of a Bonfire that killed 12 and injured 27, recent non-university sanctioned Bonfires, called Student Bonfires, are now performed off-campus.

BQ

Member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, colloquially Band Queer, etymologically Band Qualified.

Bull

Active duty member (usually officer) in one of the U.S. armed services. (This term should not be confused with the terms "Good Bull" or "Bad Bull")

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C

The Chicken

Short for a popular bar frequented by A&M students, Dixie Chicken, in the entertainment district, Northgate.

Aggie Code of Honor

Texas A&M's honor code: "Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor do they tolerate those who do." The code is similar to the Cadet Honor Code used at the United States Military Academy.

Corps

Short for the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M's military college program. Though Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is mandatory for the first two years, military service is not.

Cut

The initial phase of Aggie Bonfire construction where students cut down logs.

CT

Member of the Corps that are not in the band. Colloquially "Corps Turd," etymologically "Cadet in Training".

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D

Dead (or Dead Elephant)

Senior undergraduates during their last semester. The use of the word is a senior privilege.

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E

Elephant Walk

A tradition where the senior class walks around campus to remember the times they had at Texas A&M. Juniors have a version called E-Walk.

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F

Fable

• noun - legendary narrative of comedy or supernatural happenings effected by an Aggie with unique Promethean consequences, intended to enforce a useful truth about that Aggie
• verb - to tell Aggie fables, call from crowd inspiring speaker to tell Aggie fables

"Farmers fight"

Phrase used in several Aggie Yells. "Farmers" comes from the original nickname of the sports teams associated with Texas A&M. "Aggies" officially replaced the nickname in 1949, but the word "farmers" remains a part of a few Aggie traditions.

Fightin' Texas Aggie

Common prefix used for things related to A&M. For example, the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.

Fightin' Texas Aggie Band

Official band of Texas A&M since 1894. Members are cadets in the Corps and comprise an entire major unit of the Corps. The band is most noted for its straight line military marching and intricate close quarters drills.

Fish

A freshman student. In the Corps, the term is used in place of freshmen cadets' first names and is always written in lowercase, e.g. "fish Jones."

Fish Camp

An optional student-led four-day retreat for incoming freshmen held before the student's fall semester that introduces them to the traditions of Texas A&M University. Transfer students can attend a separate retreat called "T-Camp", and first time Texas A&M students coming in spring semester can attend "Howdy Camp".

Fish Pond

A fountain on the Texas A&M campus that is the part of several traditions, located in front of Sbisa Dining Center.

Former Student

Aggie graduates refer to themselves as "former students" rather than alumni because not all Aggies graduated due to military needs during the World Wars. Another reason why Aggies use "former students" is that it is felt that "alumni" implies that graduates are "ex-Aggies". Aggies believe in the concept "once an Aggie, always an Aggie", and thus "alumni" would not be appropriate. The Association of Former Students is the university's equivalent of an alumni association.

FOW (Freshman Orientation Week)

Mandatory first week in the Corps just before school starts in the Fall semester for incoming freshmen cadets or Fish.

Frog

A Transfer student that joins the corps and condenses their whole freshmen year into one semester, usually to stay on track with their graduation date. Company K-1 is the first Frog outfit. : Company K-1 carries a rich tradition in bringing well trained leaders of character into the United States Military and the civilian sector.

"From the outside looking in you can't understand it, and from the inside looking out you can't explain it"

Phrase used to describe the difficulty outsiders have understanding Texas A&M culture, and Aggies have articulating their passion for Texas A&M.

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G

Gig 'em

Both a saying and the thumbs up hand gesture of all Texas A&M University current and former students as sign of affiliation. Gig 'em also is the name of an Aggie yell. This hand signal tradition began at a 1930 Midnight Yell Practice held before the football game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. In an attempt to excite the crowd, Pinky Downs, a 1906 Texas A&M graduate and member of the school's Board of Regents, asked the crowd "What are we going to do to those Horned Frogs?" Using a term for frog hunting long used by Texas A&M in connection with the TCU rivalry, he answered his own question, "Gig 'em, Aggies!" and demonstrated how, creating the hand signal which became the first in the Southwest Conference.

Good Bull

Anything that conforms to the traditions of Texas A&M. Members of the Corps of Cadets also use this term to signify approval of virtually anything.

Grodes

The jeans and T-shirts worn by students who worked on Aggie Bonfire. Grodes were typically not washed until Bonfire burned, if ever.

Grode yells/stories

Non-sanctioned or approved yells "grode yells" and stories "grode stories" that are typically intended to offend or rouse. (Hooligan yell, Beers, Northside, etc...) many dorms have dorm specific grode yells. Normally led by yellow pots or crew chiefs.

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H

"Highway 6 runs both ways"

A contractarian argument used in response to complaints made about Texas A&M, meaning that those who do not like the university are free to leave. Highway 6 refers to the major highway within the Bryan-College Station area.

Hiss (or horse laugh) 

Rather than "booing", Aggies "hiss" to express disapproval. Aggies are not supposed to boo as a "sign of class", and are not supposed to hiss a fellow Ag. Hissing is a part of a yell called a horse laugh, and usually is accompanied with a hand signal that consists of one's fingers open and palms clasped together, shaken backward and forward.

"Holler House on the Brazos"

Another name for G. Rollie White Coliseum. Term rarely used after basketball and volleyball games moved to Reed Arena and the building was demolished in 2013.

Howdy

Texas A&M University's official greeting. Students are encouraged to greet everyone they pass on campus with a smile and a howdy. Howdy is the preferred method for a speaker to get a large group's attention, as the members of the group are expected to return the "Howdy" back to the speaker.

Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck!

Beginning phrase of the Aggie War Hymn. The lyrics are an onomatopoeic representation of the sound a cannon being loaded, or also the sound of a train rolling through town since there is a train track that splits the campus.

Hump it (or Humping it)

During a yell, the crowd leans forward and places their hands on their knees to maximize the amount of air displaced during the scream. The stance forces the diaphragm to assist the lungs.

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J

Johnny Football

The nickname of the Aggie Heisman trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Aggie jokes

Jokes used against Texas A&M and Aggies, similar to jokes used against ethnic minorities usually with a connotation of a lack of intelligence or unsophistication.

Jollie Rollie

Nickname of the G. Rollie White Coliseum. The building was demolished in 2013.

K

Kyle Field

The Texas A&M football stadium.

L

Load

The second phase of Aggie Bonfire construction where the newly cut logs were brought back to campus.

M

Maroon

The official color of Texas A&M along with white. The University's specific trademark color is a custom Pantone color, Aggie Maroon (Hex #500000). Maroon Out is an official university tradition. Each year, one football game each season is dubbed an official Maroon Out event and discounted maroon T-shirts are offered for sale to fans to fill the stadium with the Texas A&M color. The word "maroon" is used in other contexts, such as the name of the student publication, the Maroon Weekly.

Mug down

Kissing one's date during yell practices and football games (the latter after each Aggie score).

Muster

Tradition on 21 April, San Jacinto Day where Aggies from all over the world meet with each other and honor those Aggies who have died that year.

MSC

Short for the Memorial Student Center, Texas A&M's student activity center. It is also a living memorial, dedicated to all Aggies who have given or will give their lives in wartime.

N

New Army

Used to represent Texas A&M's current state and student body. The phrase is often used in conjunction with complaints about changes that have happened to the institution and the attitudes of younger Aggies.

Non-reg

A student who is not in the Corps of Cadets.

Northgate

The entertainment district-mainly targeting A&M students-located north of the Texas A&M campus.

Northside

Location of residence halls on campus near Northgate.

O

"Off the wood"

During sporting events, Texas A&M students get off the bleachers when players on any team are injured. "Wood" is only stated because it is a tradition because Texas A&M stadiums no longer have wooden bleachers.

Old Ag

Synonymous for a former Texas A&M student.

Ol' Army (or Old Army)

Texas A&M's past. Often used in the sense of "the good old days."

Ol' Lady (or Old Lady)

Corps of Cadet member's roommate.

Ol' Rock (or Rock)

A character who is meant to represent the prototypical Aggie used in the fables told at yell practices.

Ol' Sarge

An unofficial mascot of A&M that is portrayed as a tough-looking corps drill sergeant.

Other education

What Aggie students learn outside the classroom through extracurricular activities and through living life.

P

Pass back

A hand signal, initiated by the Yell Leaders, which informs students which yell to do next.

Passdown

An object of some significance that is given from an upperclassmen to a fish, and passed through several generations of students in the Corps.

Pisshead

A nickname for a sophomore, primarily in the Corps of Cadets. Refers to the stern demeanor of sophomore cadets in training their freshmen.

Poor Aggies

Used to taunt Aggies after an athletic loss from opponents.

Pots

Hard hats worn by Aggie Bonfire builders. The color of a student's pot identified their role in bonfire construction.

Privilege (SP, JP, ZP)

A ranking system based on one's class year which determines what traditions an Aggie student is allowed to perform. The privilege levels are, SP, JP, and ZPs: sophomore, junior, and senior privileges, respectively. Freshmen have "fish privileges". In the Corps, one's privilege level has an enormous effect on a cadet's lifestyle. Some rules like wildcatting or whooping extend to non-regs.

Pull out

Using a privileged word not available to your class; for example, sophomores saying "Whoop."

Push

a) A form of punishment consisting of pushups, especially after pulling out. Cadets in the Corps typically do a "class set" of push-ups, one for each year of their class. The Class of 1945 did only 45 pushups, and while for a few years cadets did "old Army class sets" (counting from 1900 and not reseting at 2000), the Class of 2021 now does 21.

b) The last phase of Aggie Bonfire construction, where students worked around the clock in rotating shifts to finish stacking the logs.

Q

The Quad

Location of the dormitories of the Corps of Cadets.

R

Ram

(n) Demerit issued to a cadet by either a ranking cadet or a bull for a major rule violation. (v) To receive demerits.

RAggies

Aggie baseball fans.

Red Ass

Students who closely follow the Aggie traditions and rules.

Reed Arena

The university's arena.

Reed Rowdies

Official fan club of Texas A&M basketball teams.

Reveille

The Texas A&M mascot, a purebred American collie. Reveille is the highest-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. Freshmen cadets are required to address her as "Miss Rev, ma'am."

Ring dunk

A non school sanctioned tradition performed after a student receives an Aggie Ring; usually involves chugging a pitcher of beer, or a non-alcoholic substitute, with their Aggie Ring in the bottom then catching the ring in their teeth.

Ross Volunteers

The ceremonial honor company of Texas A&M University, and the official honor guard for the Governor of Texas

S

"Saw Varsity's Horns Off"

A verse from the Aggie War Hymn, it refers to defeating the Texas Longhorns, who use a Longhorn steer as their mascot.

Sbisa

Sbisa Dining Hall is on North campus near most of the north campus dorms. It was opened in 1912 and named after Bernard Sbisa who was in charge of feeding the corps during the late 19th century. It is frequented by many freshman and is one of two dining halls on campus.

Sea Aggies (or Sea Ags)

Students or alumni of the school's branch campus, Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Senior Boots

Distinctive brown leather boots worn by Corps seniors, or Zips.

Serge Butt

A nickname for a junior. Refers to the "serge" material used in making pants for junior cadets pre-1960. Usually abbreviated as just "butts."

Singing Cadets

An all-male choir, one of the three Choral Activities choirs at A&M, called the "Voice of Aggieland". While Corps members may join the Singing Cadets, one does not have to be a member of the Corps to join the Singing Cadets.

Silver Taps

A ceremony, held monthly, to honor all enrolled students who died in the previous month.

"Sit down bus driver"

An Aggie Yell used in athletic events to taunt opposing team's coaches when they are arguing with an official or otherwise holding up the game. "Bus driver" refers to the fact that coaches used to drive the buses for road games.

Southside

Residence halls on the far southeast portion of campus.

Aggie Spirit (or Spirit of Aggieland)

Describes the unity and devotion Aggies have for their school and to each other. "The Spirit" also refers to the school song, The Spirit of Aggieland.

Stack

The third phase of Aggie Bonfire construction, where students would wire the logs together in their final shape.

Sully (or Sul Ross)

Short for former Texas A&M President, Lawrence Sullivan Ross. Modern usage generally refers to the prominent statue of him on campus, often covered in pennies from students as a "good luck" tradition.

T

TAMC (or Texas AMC)

Refers to the university's former name the "Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas". While the institution has been renamed Texas A&M University with the initials TAMU, the initials AMC are still used in several Aggie traditions including Aggie yells and the Spirit of Aggieland."

Tea-sip (or t-sip)

A student of Texas A&M's archrival, The University of Texas at Austin. The term is intended to be derogatory (the origin being that while Aggies were off fighting wars, students of UT Austin were "sipping tea" at home).

TexAgs

An independent Texas A&M website, one of the largest collegiate independent websites in the country. "TexAgs" has been used colloquially in relationship to the use of the site's internet forum.

t.u.

What Aggies call The University of Texas at Austin, normally abbreviated UT, the main rival school to Texas A&M University. Term is intended to be derogatory. Aggies maintain that UT is a university "in" Texas not the university "of" Texas. The t.u. therefore stands for "texas university", with the lowercase letters being an added insult.

W

Aggie War Hymn

Texas A&M's fight song.

Whip Out (or Whipping Out)

The tradition of freshmen in the Corps of Cadets introducing themselves to upperclassman in the Corps. Sophomores whip out to juniors and seniors while juniors only whip out to seniors.

White

The second official Texas A&M color. White Out is a basketball tradition. Unlike football games, where Aggie fans wear Maroon, the basketball crowds wear white.

"Whoop"

An exclamation of approval and excitement, especially used at the end of a yell. This is a junior and senior privilege.

Wildcat

A noise and a hand motion made after an Aggie yell. Each class uses a different wildcat based on seniority.

Wrecking Crew

Name given to defenses of the football team. The term became popular during in 80s and the 90s. Many fans, coaches, and sports analysts feel that recent Aggie defenses have not "earned" the title.

Y

Aggie Yells

Synchronized yells done at Aggie sporting events.

Yell Leaders

Texas A&M's equivalent of cheerleaders - These elected students, three seniors and two juniors, lead the student body in synchronized yells throughout all sporting events and yell practices. While all yell leaders on the main campus have been male, a female has served as one at the school's branch campus in Galveston.

Yell practice

A Texas A&M event that is similar to a pep rally. The most notable yell practices, Midnight Yell, occurs the night before home football games.

Z

Zip (or Zipper-Head)

A nickname for a senior, named so for the black and gold braid on the garrison caps of seniors in the Corps of Cadets, which resembles a zipper.

ZP

Short for senior privileges. These can be given to underclassmen by seniors and allow the underclassmen to do the senior wildcat and whoop.

References

External links

• Corps dictionary - An archived web page which was in depth dictionary of Corps of Cadets exclusive terminology
• Texas A&M University

Source of article : Wikipedia