Updated by Hansen Lian and Liam Scott
Over a year has passed since we have all been together on campus, but it’s never too late to start talking like a Hoya! Learn Georgetown University’s jargon with these essential terms.
Alumni Square
n. The formal name for Village B, an apartment complex outside the front gates where many juniors, seniors and members of the Georgetown basketball teams reside.
ABP
n. The Alternative Breaks Program, in which students spend their vacations on service-oriented trips, is run through the Center for Social Justice, Research, Teaching & Service.
Blue and gray
n. The colors of Georgetown, as well as the namesake for the Blue and Gray Tour Guide Society. Eighty-six percent of Georgetown students fought for the Confederacy, and blue and gray are intended to represent American unity following the Civil War.
Booey’s
n. Booeymonger, a delicatessen on Prospect Street that serves a variety of sandwiches and pitchers of beer, is a popular eatery among students.
The Black House
n. A student house on 36th Street sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access whose handful of residents are selected to host programming that fosters community for students of color.
The Bookstore
n. The Georgetown University Bookstore is located in the Leavey Center. You probably already knew that if you’re on their mailing list, always notifying us about their seemingly perpetual 50% off sale.
Burleith
n. The neighborhood to the north of campus, located adjacent to the medical school and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Burleith is home to many upperclassmen in off-campus housing — and a fair share of cranky neighbors.
CAPS
n. Georgetown University Counseling and Psychiatric Services, a mental health clinic on the north side of campus in Darnall Hall. CAPS provides students with services such as evaluations, consultations, referrals and individual, couples or group psychotherapy. CAPS services have been free during the pandemic, but it is unclear how long that will continue.
Consulting
n. A word that everyone loves to throw around, despite not knowing what it means.
La Casa Latina
n. A student house on 36th Street sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access whose residents are selected to host programming and house club meetings geared toward Latinx students and minority student organizations.
The Chimes
n. The Georgetown Chimes, an all-male a cappella group known for singles such as their Billy Joel parody song “Georgetown Girl” and the most-downloaded version of the Georgetown fight song on Spotify, as well as for counting Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) (SFS ’09) as a former member.
CMEA
n. The Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, which supports Georgetown students of color with programming, counseling and other resources and oversees the Community Scholars Program, the Black House, La Casa Latina and Hoya Saxa Weekend.
The Corp
n. The student-run business that operates coffee and snack shops throughout campus. Locations include The Midnight MUG in Lauinger Library, Uncommon Grounds and Vital Vittles in the Leavey Center, More Uncommon Grounds in the Intercultural Center, The Hilltoss in the Healey Family Student Center and Hoya Snaxa in the Southwest Quad. The Corp also offers IT, catering and accounting services. All locations are cashless, so remember to use your Flex dollars, debit dollars or credit card!
Crop Chop
n. The meal-swipe-friendly salad location on campus located in the Leavey Center. Reserve at least an extra 30 minutes to wait in line for a make-your-own salad during literally any peak dining time.
CSJ
n. The Center for Social Justice, Research, Teaching & Service. Whether you’re accessing it online or on the corner of 37th and P Streets, it’s home to many of Georgetown’s community service opportunities, advocacy initiatives and community-based learning programs.
CSP
n. The Community Scholars Program, which supports first-generation college students through a summer program, mentorship, classes and workshops.
Dahlgren Chapel
n. Church behind Healy Hall, which boasts a picturesque courtyard perfect for picnics and photoshoots.
DMV
n. Region comprising Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, not to be confused with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Dupont Circle
n. A neighborhood home to many restaurants, bookstores and a Sunday farmers market, as well as a drop-off location for the GUTS bus and a convenient place to hop on the Metro.
East Campus
n. The area outside the front gates between 36th and 35th Streets and from N to Prospect Street, which is home to the Nevils and LXR living communities, as well as the Car Barn and Edmund A. Walsh class buildings, the latter of which also has an art gallery.
Einstein
n. Einstein Bros. Bagels, located on the second floor of Car Barn, is home to one of the best meal swipe deals on campus.
Epi
n. Epicurean and Company, the restaurant in the basement of Darnall Hall that is acclaimed for late-night quesadillas and onion rings.
The Esplanade
n. Located on the second floor of the Leavey Center, this outdoor area and popular study spot offers good views and seating areas. The Esplanade is a great spot for picnics that also acts as a shortcut to Yates Field House.
Exorcist Steps
n. The stairs next to Car Barn that connect M Street and Prospect Street, made famous by the climax of the film “The Exorcist” and frequented by runners looking for an extreme workout.
The Farmers Market
n. Georgetown University Farmers Market is student-organized and held in Red Square on Wednesday afternoons in the fall and spring. Popular treats include wood-fire pizzas, fresh empanadas, crepes and bubble tea.
First Bake
n. Available at Georgetown waterfront restaurant Farmers Fishers Bakers, First Bake is a cheap, grab-and-go weekday breakfast option for things like pastries and breakfast sandwiches, if you’re willing to get up early.
Foggy Bottom
n. The neighborhood where George Washington University is located, about a 40-minute walk from Georgetown. Home of good food, a Metro stop and the apartment of that person you met on Tinder.
Freshman Crawl
n. The act of walking through campus and the neighborhood in a pack in search of parties. Most commonly done with your entire freshman floor. Don’t be embarrassed — it’s a rite of passage during your first semester on campus.
Georgetown Day
n. A campuswide celebration that takes place on the last Friday of spring classes when campus is transformed into a giant party with free food, inflatables and revelry.
Georgetown Mutual Aid
n. An initiative launched by several Georgetown students at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that accepts donations and redistributes the funds to Georgetown students in need.
Georgetown Flea Market
n. A weekend outdoor market located by the Safeway several blocks north of campus, where local vendors sell everything from vintage clothes and jewelry to posters and books.
Georgetown 14
n. The 13 Georgetown priests and one nun who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse.
GU272
n. The 272 enslaved people whom the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus sold in 1838 to keep the university financially afloat. In recent years, student activism led to the passage of a 2019 student referendum that called on the university to provide reparations to the descendants of the 272. The university has refused to implement the referendum.
GERMS
n. The student-run Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service acts as the ambulance system on campus that operates under an amnesty policy. Call when you or a friend has sprained an ankle, broken a bone or — in the most likely case — is having alcohol-related issues.
Derivatives: to be GERMS-ed: v. to have had GERMS called on you.
GUASFCU
n. Possibly the most complicated of Georgetown acronyms, the Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union, a student-run bank, is known for its competitive application process. Pronounced “GUAF-skoo” or “GUAS-ff-koo.”
GUGS
n. Pronounced “jugs” for some reason, this acronym stands for the Georgetown University Grilling Society. Can be found grilling its signature round burgers in Red Square on Fridays throughout the school year. While Venmo is often a payment option, plan to bring cash if you want to purchase a burger. Pro tip: They also grill up veggie burgers!
GUSA
n. Stands for Georgetown University Student Association, pronounced “guss-uh.” GUSA is Georgetown’s student-run political body composed of an executive and a senate whose members are annually elected by other students.
GUTS Bus
n. Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle. Its most popular routes run to the Dupont Circle and Rosslyn Metro stops. Other routes go to Wisconsin Avenue, Arlington and the Georgetown University Law Center in downtown D.C.
HFSC
n. Short for the Healey Family Student Center. A student lounge space situated beneath New South, equipped with meeting and conference rooms, dance studios, a movie theatre and Hilltoss and Grounded, a salad bar and coffee bar run by The Corp.
HoyaLift
n. A new student-run service that, as a pilot program this fall, will offer shuttles for Georgetown students with injuries or disabilities in order to improve campus accessibility.
Hoya Saxa
n. Georgetown’s school chant, meaning “What rocks!”
HFC
n. H*yas for Choice, the reproductive justice group that provides free condoms and emergency contraception on campus. It isn’t officially recognized by the university, hence the asterisk in the name.
ICC
n. Officially the Bunn Intercultural Center, the brick building in Red Square where most language, government and economics classes take place. It is also notorious for its confusing layout.
Lau
n. Lauinger Library, the main library on campus; a brutalist — read: ugly — building where fun goes to die. Everyone has a preferred floor and finding yours is practically a Georgetown personality test.
Derivatives: Lau 2, n. The second floor of Lau and the only floor on which talking is allowed. While theoretically perfect for group projects, productivity is elusive here. It is also home to The Midnight MUG, one of The Corp’s coffee shops.
Leo’s
n. Short for Leo J. O’Donovan Hall, the on-campus dining hall. If you say its full name, you’ll sound like a high schooler touring campus.
Derivatives: O’Donovan’s on the Waterfront, n. the name to be used when feeling #fancy.
Jack the Bulldog
n. The ostensibly immortal university mascot who is always accompanied by an entourage.
Map
n. Nickname for “Map of the Modern World,” a rite of passage, pass-fail course every SFS-er must pass to graduate. You’ll learn the location of every country in the world, in addition to a surprising amount about plate tectonics. Sporcle quizzes make for great study tools.
Georgetown meme page
n. Officially titled “georgetown memes for non-comforming jesuit teens,” this Facebook group is filled with relatable Georgetown-themed meme content created by procrastinating students like you.
Midnight
n. Short for Midnight MUG, The Corp’s coffee shop on Lau 2.
Monumenting
n. Going to the monuments late at night with friends, when the tourists are gone and the monuments are lit up.
MSBro
n. A male undergraduate student in the McDonough School of Business who fits the stereotypes associated with the school. Often doesn’t have class on Fridays and makes the most out of three-day weekends. Most often spotted in Vineyard Vines button-downs and/or Patagonia pullovers.
Patrick Ewing (CAS ’85)
n. A Hoya basketball star turned NBA legend turned Georgetown men’s basketball head coach.
The Quad
n. The nickname for the Southwest Quad, also known as “SWQ,” where the McCarthy, Kennedy and Reynolds dorms are located. A popular spot for beach volleyball, grilling and hammocking.
Rangila
n. “Colorful” in Hindi, a distinctly Georgetown tradition, this annual show organized by the South Asian Society brings together more than 500 Hoyas for a weekend of dancing in Gaston Hall.
Robert Groves
n. Familiarly referred to as “Bobby G,” our provost has staked his claim as a relevant admin by sending emails with bad news. His name frequents the meme page as often as it appears in your inbox.
Rooftops
n. The term used to describe the topmost Village A apartments with large rooftop balconies, though the building-wide LXR rooftop is also an underrated spot for hanging out. The Vil A rooftops are a frequent spot for parties and darties alike in warmer weather.
Rosslyn
n. A Virginia neighborhood serviced by the GUTS bus, located just across the Potomac with plenty of shopping and dining options, as well as a Metro stop.
Royal Jacket
n. Royal Jacket Deli, a popular meal swipe destination for sandwiches, smoothies and yogurt bowls, located in Leavey Center.
SafeRides
n. Georgetown’s van service that picks students up in West Georgetown and Burleith late at night throughout the week. Beware: The service is safe but slow.
Sellinger
n. Sellinger Lounge. The space just outside of the bookstore in the Leavey Center with many tables where students can study or eat their Chick-fil-A.
SNAP
n. Student Neighborhood Assistance Program, a volunteer group of university officials and private security officers who patrol the neighborhoods surrounding campus on weekends, breaking up parties and loud noises.
Tombs Night
n. The night before your 21st birthday when you invite everyone you’ve ever met to celebrate your existence. At midnight, your 21+ friends escort you to the popular Georgetown bar The Tombs where you can have your forehead stamped by the bouncer and enjoy your first legal sip of alcohol.
University President John J. DeGioia (CAS ’79, GRD ’95)
n. Our supreme ruler. Also goes by Daddy DeGioia.
Waterfront
n. The area on K Street by the Potomac River, about a 20-minute walk from the front gates. Good for runs and romantic walks.
Wisey’s
n. What most students call Wisey’s is actually Wisemiller’s Grocery and Deli, the deli and convenience store on 36th Street. The choice between the “Hot Chick” and “Chicken Madness” sandwiches is known to start fights.
Yates
n. Yates Field House, the campus gym, is located at the top of a hill, which provides students with a short preworkout workout.
General College Terminology
Andre
n. Cheap champagne popular for making mimosas at brunch.
Beerlympics
n. A drinking event often hosted by a club or organization during which members split up into “countries” and hold their own in a series of drinking games. Often features fantastic costumes.
Burnett’s
n. Cheap vodka available in a mind-blowing number of flavors, from cucumber lime to whipped cream.
Darty
n. A day party. A party during the day.
DFMO
n. Dance floor makeout, a makeout session that occurs at a party in the middle of a dance floor rather than in a private room. Typically, the participants are not dating, and they may even be strangers. Whether or not this constitutes a hookup is the subject of contentious debate.
Drunch
n. A drunk brunch. A brunch at which you are drunk. Most often hosted before basketball games, on homecoming and on Georgetown Day.
Floorcest
n. A pejorative term for a hookup between two floormates, making floor meetings awkward and tension-filled for both parties. Because of the close-knit nature of most freshman dorms, these relationships are often fodder for floor gossip.
Jungle Juice
n. A homemade, fruit-flavored punch with questionable ingredients usually served in a plastic bin. A batch can be deceptively strong, causing you to become drunk without realizing it.
Natty
n. Colloquial for Natural Light, a low-cost beer of exceptional quality.
Pregame
v. To drink before you go out, ensuring a baseline level of drunkenness.
Postgame
v. To hang around with your friends after the party and continue to drink. May include cheap pizza.
Sexiled
adj. The state of being exiled from your room because it is … occupied. “Sexiling” is usually signaled via a late-night text from your roommate asking if the dorm room will be free that night.
