Dave from Okenshields (Proper noun)
dave from o'-ken-shields/dayv frum ohkensheelds/his name rhymes with "cave," and, as far as I know, "Okenshields" doesn't rhyme with or sound like anything
Definition: A cheerful, blond, curly-haired employee who swipes cards at the co-op dining hall inside Willard Straight Hall.
Attested: I first met Dave from Okenshields when visiting Cornell in March 1998 and, I believe, he remembered my face the first time I ate at Okenshields as an actual Cornell student.
Example: "After eating my dinner, I was leaving when Dave from Okenshields started up a conversation about when my first prelim was going to be."
Etymology: Just as most people have first, middle, and last names, the person described above is known as Dave from Okenshields. He has become famous about campus because of his bouncy attitude and weird little giggle. He tries to learn students' names and actually has conversations with them on topics ranging from classes to personal life. It is quite impossible to exit Okenshields without receiving a ostentatious "See ya later" or "Hey, have a good night" from Dave. (Since "Dave from Okenshields" is his full name, it can be shortened to "Dave") Most people who work the cash registers on campus seem to be devoid of personality, so Dave from Okenshields, with his never-ending smile has become a legend at Cornell.
- Josh Finberg

Diesel (adj)
rhymhes with wiesel
Definition: Means something is cool or well liked
Example: "I like pete alot, he's diesel."
Attested: I first heard this word uttered by Matt, the guy down the hall. He says it all the time actually, it is kinda getting annoying.
Etymology: I have no idea how this meaning of diesel initiated. "Diesel" usually reffers to a type of motor not using normal gas. These types of motors are used in big trucks and rigs. Maybe someone thought these things are cool - so they coined the term.
- Steve Terry

Dijon (noun)
dI(carrot)z(upsidedown)cn
Definition: A cheeseburger with bacon on Italian bread with a special "Dijon" sauce only found at the Ivy Room, in Willard Straight. Short for Dijon burger.
Attested: I was getting lunch with a friend, when he asked me if I liked dijons. Not knowing what they were, I ordered one and enjoyed it
Example: "Does the dijon platter come with my favorite curly fries?"
Etymology: The name of this burger originated from the sauce, which is a dijon sauce, probably because it uses (or once used) a minimal amount of mustard from Dijon, a city in France made famous by its mustard. This burger is different from all others, which therefore differentiates it from the rest, giving it the name "dijon".
- Naim Darghouth

Double 0 classes
classes to supplement the introductory biology and chemistry courses.
Definition: These classes give extra-help to students who so choose to attend weekly sessions.
Attested:I first heard of these during my first week of classes when my professors informed the class of their existence and the details about attending them.
Example: "If you aren't understanding the material, you should go to double 0 for some extra help"
Etymology: The name came from the numbers of the courses. For example, chem 208 and bio 109...the double O classes are chem 008 and bio 009. From these names, they acquired the general name, "double O classes".
- Sandy Tushingham

Dragon Day (noun)
drag-on day, /dragen da/; rhymes with "wagon bay"
Definition: a day in April devoted to demonstrating the mild rivalry that may exist between Cornell engineering students and architecture students through an on campus ritual, enacted as a form of entertainment.
Attested: I first heard this term a few days after arriving at Cornell in the Fall 1998 as I listened to a friend described the background of this special day. He had heard about Dragon Day a few months prior from a university tour guide.
Example: I can't wait until Dragon Day to see the paper-mache dragon that the Cornell architecture students create go up in flames!
Etymology: Students and faculty acknowledge this day and the acts that take place as entertainment for all on campus. I believe Dragon Day started at Cornell because of a mild rivalry that may have existed between the Cornell engineering and architecture students. Dragon Day demonstrates this now friendly competition between the two. A ritual takes place in which architecture students create a large, paper-mache dragon and march through the engineering quad with it. Then, a designated engineering student lights the dragon on fire, destroying the architecture students' creation. Many people gather around to watch the ceremony and throw toilet paper into the flames to make them larger. When the celebration is complete, toilet paper lines the trees of the engineering and arts quads as remnants of the grand ritual that had taken place earlier that day.
-Heidi Nguyen