Aggie Vocabulary

 

Aggie:

A Texas A&M student

 

Add/Drop:

The process during registration where courses are added and dropped; only lasts for the first few days of class

 

Aggie Honor Code:

All students are expected to adhere to the code that says:  “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

 

Aggie Spirit:

Indefinable until you experience it, but essentially it is the overwhelming feeling of pride and unity that Aggies (current, former, and future) feel for each other, and for their university.

 

Aggieland: 

Home of the Fightin’ Texas Aggies

 

All-U Night:

All-University Night - the first Yell Practice of the semester; this event includes introductions of men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic teams, coaching staff, and yell leaders.  Usually held on the evening of the first day of classes. 

 

Association of Former Students: The alumni association - there is no such thing as an ex-Aggie; there are only Former Students.  You don’t even have to graduate to join the Association.  Once an Aggie always an Aggie.

 

Bad Bull:

Anything that does not promote the Aggie Spirit.

 

The Batt:

The Battalion, Texas A&M’s student newspaper.

 

The Big Event:

The largest one-day student-run service project in the nation. The Big Event takes place on a Saturday morning in the spring semester. Thousands of students go out into the Bryan/College Station community to perform various service projects to say “thank you” for all of their support.

 

Elephant Walk:

A tradition in which seniors celebrate their place in A&M’s history by walking together to various important places on campus, which is similar to how elephants behave when they are about to die. 

 

Fish Camp:

 four-day student-led orientation program that teaches freshmen the traditions of A&M, prepares them for college life, and gives them the opportunity to meet fellow freshmen as well as the upperclassmen who run it.

 

Gig ‘Em: 

Both a saying and the official hand sign of Texas A&M.  The hand sign is made, usually in conjunction with the saying, by current and former students of Texas A&M as a sign of affiliation.

 

Hiss:

An Aggie sign of disapproval.  Aggies do not “boo” because it is not classy.  Also, Aggies never hiss another Aggie.

 

Howdy!:

The official greeting of Texas A&M.  “Howdy” is what sets Texas A&M apart as the friendliest campus in the world!  If someone says “howdy” to you, you are expected to return a “howdy.”

 

Hullabaloo: 

The first word in the Aggie War Hymn

 

Hump it:

During a yell, students bend over and place their hands on their knees to maximize the crowd volume.

 

MSC:

Memorial Student Center.  At the heart of campus, it serves as a living memorial to those Aggies who have served and are currently serving our country in a war.

 

Mug:

Kissing your date when the lights go out at midnight yell, when the team scores, or whenever else you feel like it.

 

Muster:

Held annually on April 21, Aggies “muster” (come together) to honor those Aggies who have died in the last year. The largest

Muster ceremony takes place in Reed Arena in College Station, but hundreds of smaller ceremonies are held worldwide on that day.

 

“Off the Wood”:

During sporting events, Aggies step off of the bleachers when players on any team are injured, and during the Aggie War Hymn.

 

Reveille:

The official mascot of Texas A&M.  She is the highest-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets and is a Five-Star General.

 

Silver Taps:

A ceremony held in Academic Plaza on the first Tuesday of every month to honor graduate and undergraduate students who have died in the previous month. Students gather at the Sul Ross statue while the Ross Volunteers march into the Plaza and fire a 21-gun salute. Buglers then play a special rendition of Silver Taps three times for the fallen Aggies.

 

T.A.:

Teaching Assistant.  A graduate student who instructs one or more classes.

 

t.u.: 

The Aggie term for the University of Texas (Austin)

 

Twelfth Man: 

The entire student body.  The 12th man represents the spirit of readiness to support and serve their team. This is why students stand during the football games; we are ready to be called upon if needed.

 

Whoop!:

An exclamation of approval or excitement.  Juniors and seniors are the only classes allowed to “whoop.”

 

Wildcat: 

another Aggie expression of approval; each academic class has its own wildcat:

Freshman: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Sophomore:  A-A-A-A-A!

Junior: A-A-A-WHOOP!

Senior: A-WHOOP!

 

Yell Leader:

Texas A&M does not have cheerleaders. Instead, we have yell leaders who are the official spirit organization of the university; they lead Aggie fans in “yells” during athletic events and other school events.

 

Yell Practice:

Held at Kyle Field at midnight the night before a home football game, and at the Quad arches the Thursday before an away game. The yell leaders lead the crowd in old army yells, the school’s songs, and tell fables of how the Aggies are going to beat the everlivin' hell out of our opponent. Finally, the lights go out, and Aggies kiss their dates. If they don't have a date, all they have to do is “flick their Bic [lighter].” The flames make it easier for two dateless people to find a kiss!