Cake (adj)
Pronunciation: rhymes with fake
Definition: Something that is extremely easy, or done with extreme ease.
Example: "Hey Phil, wasn't that last prelim cake?"
Etymology: The word originated from the process of baking a cake. Apparently baking cake is very easy, so the word cake was used to define easy.
- Manish Trivedi

Cashop (noun).
rhymes with "rash shop?
Definition: A dining hall at Cornell that accepts cash instead of meals in exchange for food. It's not all you can eat like the Coop dining halls.
Attested: I first encountered this word when I went to a cashop dining hall and then attempted to enter a Coop dining hall.
Example: "Going to a Cashop dining hall and then a Coop dining hall locks you out of the system."
Etymology: This word originated from "cash option". These dining halls are options you can choose to go to and use cash as opposed to the dining halls where you the majority of the people only use meals to enter.
- Jesse Yao

Catered (adj)
k-terd, rhymes with waitered
Definition: A adjective relating to frat parties that are catered by a company.
Attested: I first encountered this when, at my first Cornell frat party, I had to pay to get in.
Example: "This party is catered, so it is unresonably expensive."
Etymology: The concept of a catered party was introduced in to the Greek system to try and curb underage drinking. The caterers also serve as party monitors, throwing the unruly partygoer out. The caterers have also been known to drink quite a bit with the partygoers. Students from other colleges are often shocked that the parties are catered, and you have to pay to get in.
- Dave Britton

Cayuga Waitors (noun).
pronounced as "my-you-gu wayters"
Definition: A group of singers at Cornell
Attested: I first heard of this group on a MP3 I received.
Example: "Cayuga Waitors - We didn't go to Harvard."
Etymology: These singers probably named themselves this because they are from the vicinity of Cayuga. They are all men dressed up. So from afar, they may resemble waitors. Then again, who knows why musical artists title themselves the way they do.
- Jesse Yao

Chalking (noun).
ch·w-keeng, /chaÌking/; rhymes with "walking"
Definition: A message on often-used sidewalks written using Crayola chalk in an array of pastel colors.
Attested: I trod over my first chalking outside the Field House during fall registration. It was a message inviting me to join the marching band.
Example: "I didn't remember the time of the Cayuga's Waiters auditions, but, luckily, there was a chalking outside Willard Straight Hall which had all the information."
Etymology: This is an event that occurs on many college campuses, but, from conversations with my friends, I have decided that Cornell is the chalking capitol of the world. Particularly popular among the diverse clubs found at Cornell, chalkings are popular for a variety of reasons. First, they effectively get needed information to a large group of people. Second, there is no cleanup involved. Unlike posting fliers, weather will eventually take away the mess, and no one will be charged with littering. Finally, chalking is extremely cheap. To make fliers, a group needs to pay a printer to make hundreds of pages describing their event. To make chalkings, though, a group needs only to buy a tub of chalk and send its members scurrying around campus. Students appreciate all of this greatly as it breaks the monotony of walking by filling their journeys with constant tidbits to read and keep their brains occupied.
- Josh Finberg

Chef Wang (noun).
shef wayng.
Definition: An old and eccentric millionaire who ventures the stir fry at the Okenshield's dining hall.
Attested: I first encountered this term in September 1998 in a Cornell Dining Hall named Okenshields. Apparently one of the employees there's last name is Wang. He is the head of the stir fry section which is conveniently named Chef Wang.
Example: "Yo, let's get food from Chef Wang's."
Etymology: This word was originally the name of a man. However, he named a stir fry station after station at one of the most popular dining halls at cornell. Now he is widely refered to as "Chef Wang". It has basically become everyday vocabulary for Cornellians.
- Jesse Yao

Clara Dickson and Balch Halls
Definition: Two residence halls on North Campus.
Attested: I fist learns of these dorms when I was appointed to Donlon Hall. They are directly outside my window.
Example: "Dickson and Balch are not nearly as social as Donlon Hall."
Etymology: When you fly over the campus, Dickson and Balch spell the letters CU. Each of the dorms are named after someone who made a change at Cornell. Dickson is known as the largest dorm east of the Mississippi River, and has many singles. Balch is only for women, and each room has their own sink. However, there is a story of one man who was assigned to Baclh but his room wasn't changed for two weeks! (But he probably wasn't complaining, though!) Balch is only female for the reason that the person who provided the funds for the building said it could only be used to house women. At one time, North campus was all women, and men lived on west.
- Katie Cody

Class Halls (noun)
rhymes with "mass" "calls"
Definition: a group of dormitories located on west campus
Attested: When I arrived here, I met someone who told me she lived in a class hall.
Example: I want to live in one of the class halls next year.
Etymology: This word is used to describe the group of buildings in west campus, all with the name "class of" and then a year (e.g. Class of '17). Instead of naming a particular building, people can simply say they live in the class halls. This is also easier for someone unfamiliar with each specific building to remember.
- Heidi Nguyen

Cocktail Lounge (noun)
Pronunciation: Rhymes with the words "cot" "ale" "lownj"
I. Definition: A study lounge found in the depths of Uris. One must descent 3 flights of stairs to reach this mystical place. Upon entry, one will find comfortable couches and rather new wooden desks to study at.
Attested: My friend first told me of the cocktail lounge during finals my first semester here.
Example: "The cocktail lounge is packed!"
Etymology: This name probably arose from the lighting of the room. Each wooden desk has a small desk lamp. Over these desks, there is little or no overhead lighting. However over other comfortable couches, there is overhead lighting. This contrast in lighting and furniture arrangement may have caused it to be named the cocktail lounge.
- Jesse Yao
II. Definition: An area in the Uris Library with big comfy chairs that has adopted this name from being known as a very comfortable and social area of the library.
Attestation: I first heard this area called this when one of my friends told me to meet her there. Since then I have heard this area referred to by this title quite often.
An example: "Meet me in the cocktail lounge at 3pm tomorrow so I can get the notes from you."
Etymology: This area probably acquired this name from its social nature and shape, resembling a cocktail lounge. Its roundness and social characteristics are well depicted by this name. Students at some point probably decided that the area needed a title, so chose this name as a way of describing it. The word "lounge" has the connotations of being comfortable and cozy, just as this area of the library is. Usually a cocktail lounge is thought of as being like a bar with a nice area to sit, but at Cornell, students that study at Uris library, know that no drinks are served at this cocktail lounge, but rather that they can find nice chairs to study in.
- Sandy Tushingham

Collegetown Cleanup (noun)
Definition: A day each semester in which various groups participate in cleaning up Collegetown.
Attestation: I first read about this event when reading the Daily Sun. There were pictures of students picking up garbage from the street in Collegetown.
An example: This Saturday is Collegetown Cleanup, so we have to collect brooms and garbage bags to bring with us.
Etymology: The title of the day really just seems to come from what it is. The gesture probably began when store owners complained of college students making a mess around the area, so students thought they should get together each semester to clean up Collegetown.
- Sandy Tushingham

Commons, The (noun)
rhymes with combination of the words "tom" "mins"
Definition: an hangout area located in downtown Ithaca with a long stripe of stores.
Attested: I first encountered this term when I came to Ithaca and a friend asked me if I had ever been down to The Commons.
Example: "I went to The Commons yesterday and bought these black shoes."
Etymology: This term must be particular to the Ithaca area. The name may have come about because this is a common place for people to walk around and go shopping.
- Heidi Nguyen

Concentration (noun)
rhymes with combination of the words "con, cent, trait, shin"
Definition: a major or focus of studies chosen by a Cornell student.
Attested: I first encountered this term when I heard my friends discussing their majors.
Example: "They don't have majors here at Cornell. They are called concentrations."
Etymology: This term probably arose due to the fact that "major" is a rather misleading term for "area of study". Cornell must have caught on to this and renamed "major" to "area of concentration".
- Jesse Yao

Coop (noun).
rhymes with toe top.
Definition: A dining hall at Cornell at which one can must use a "meal" for entry. Once entered a coop, one can eat as much as he or she wants. There are drinks entrees and usually a grill and a deli.
Attested: I first encountered this word during orientation week.
Example: "On your left is a Coop dining hall."
Etymology: Honestly, I can only hazard a guess as to the origins of this word. This word may come from Co Option. The Co may stand for the fact there are several dining halls working together to provide a food service.
- Jesse Yao

Cornell Card (noun,verb)
cor-nell card
I. Definition: a method of payment; similar to using a credit card.
Attested: I first encountered this in the campus store. I overheard my roommate use it.
Example: "How're you gonna pay for it? Dude, I'll just cornell card it."
Etymology: The origin of this word stems from the idea of credit cards. Cornell University created ID cards that had a metallic strip on the back. Students are credited up to six-hundred dollars, and are able to pay for anything on campus with it.
- Manish Trivedi

II. Definition: To charge an item or multiple items sold by Cornell University using one's Cornell ID.
Attested: I was buying my books for first semester, and I forgot to bring my checkbook. Thinking I had to go home and begin the buying process later, the cashier informed me that I could "Cornell Card" it.
Etymology:I forgot my regular credit card, but because I had my Cornell ID, I decided to Cornell Card my books.
Etymology: The actual program that Cornell has set up is the Cornell Card, that is used much like a regular credit card, only Cornell gives the credit. It's frequent use is most likely the reason that the noun has become interchangable with a verb.
- Amy Gorman

Cornell Chimes
Definition: a set of organs which are played every hour on Cornell's campus. They are presently under construction, and will be back in place for next semester.
Attested: I first heard the chimes when I was a prospective Cornellian, during an infamous campus tour.
Example: "Too bad the chimes aren't playing anymore, I used to depend on them to tell the time."
Etymology: The chimes are located in McGraw Tower. They are played by "chimemasters" and spectators can climb the tower to watch them perform. They have bee known to play such songs as Sesame Street and Beverly Hillbillies theme songs. Heard all over campus, they are distinct to Cornell. Though the word chimes is in no way specific to Cornell, the Cornell Chimes have certainly earned a spot in the memories of many Cornell students past and present. They are commonly pictured for propaganda sent to prospective students, and are a landmark to the university. They original chimes were the first to go off from an American University.
- Katie Cody

Cornell Tradition Fellows
Definition: a scholarship program rewarding work, leadership, and academics.
Attested: I first learned about this program when I heard I had been selected as a Cornell Tradition Fellow.
Example: "This program is great: it rewards work, scholarship and leadership."
Etymology: Started in 1981, this program gives scholarships of up to $3,500 a year. To remain in the program, a student must complete 250+ work hours and 75 hours of campus leadership and community service. Most people at Conell are familiar with this program, as 6% of incoming freshman are selected as fellows each year. Students with Cornell Tradition are typically looked favorably by many people, and there are no negative connotations of the term. Additionally, the program is well respected and known across the country.
- Katie Cody

CourseEnroll (noun)
rhymes with "horse N roll"
Definition: The preenrollment program on Bear Access used by Cornell students to preenroll in the coming semester's classes.
Attested: I first encountered this word last semester when I was asked if I used CourseEnroll yet.
Example: "Hey, did you use CourseEnroll yet? I still haven't picked my classes."
Etymology: This word is simply the same of a program that people use to refer to preenrollment. It's a very obvious name for a program used in preenrollment. The program, "enrolls you in courses."
- Jesse Yao

Crush Party
Pronunciation: rhymes with "brush" "car" "tea"
Definition: a party where it requires semi-formal dress and is sponsered by either a fraternity or a sorority. Usually, the brothers and sisters invite certain people to the party, who in turn, then invite a certain number of people. This number can range from one to several. If it is only one person, then one would usually invite someone of the opposite sex.
Attested: I first heard this term when a girl on my floor got an invitation to a crush party at a frat
Usage: Oh what are you going to wear to that crush party?
Etymology: I think this term started because these semi-formal parties require an invitation to go. And many times, people are allowed only one date and so they are expected to invite their crush. Hence the word crush party. It could also have been started because these parties usually become extremely crowded. And in the past, whenever someone's party was a success and was crowded, people would comment that it was such a "crush".
- Dorrie Tong

CS
/si (shwa)s/, sounds like CS
Definition: an acronym for Computer Science.
Attested: when visiting Cornell as a senior in high school I learned that students in the engineering school had to many hours writing computer code for CS. It took me a long time to figure out what CS really stood for.
Example: "My CS program just took my partner and I nine hours to finish."
Etymology: It is unsure exactly how CS came to be but many think that it is from taking the first letter of each word in "Computer Science." CS.
- Matt Fellman

Cut-throat (adjective)
rhymes with "gut" "boat"
Definition: to be very determined no matter the consequences; willing to sacrifice the good of others for ones own benefit
Attested: I first heard this from a friend on my floor when we were talking about his neighbor earlier in the school year.
Example: Andy is very cut-throat about dart games. He is willing to cheat in order to win.
Etymology: Obviously the two words go together to denote the idea of cutting someone elses throat. The idea became an expression to describe a person who will sacrifice others for his/her own good just as one would be doing if they cut the throat of the competition.
- John Moyer