ABEN (noun)
/e@ybEn/
Definition: An acronym for Agricultural and Biological Engineering, which is the study of Engineering in relation to biological systems. It is a joint degree program at Cornell between the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering.
Attested: I first heard the term when I moved into Mary Donlon Hall and met students who were ABEN majors.
Example: "I have to hand in my ABEN lab by 11:30 tonight."
- Joanna Jackson

Aggie (noun).
ag'e; /Q@gi/
Definition: a student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Attested: I first heard this term spoken by the host of an information session for Cornell that I attended last year.
Example: "There are a lot of Aggies enrolled in freshman biology."
Etymology: I think this term may have arisen from the shortening of the word agriculture, and changing it to a form for a person of that field. This term is probably not used outside of Ithaca, and is most likely unique to Cornell. However, this word might be used at another college or place that has people associated with the word agriculture. I think that this word is probably used at Cornell because it is a concise word for a student of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Jessica Robertson

All about (adv)
/Al¥bawt/
Definition: To be extremely enthusiastic about something, to be devoted to it with momentary passion.
Attested: I heard this phrase occasionally before coming to Cornell, used by friends from NYC. It is possible that it originated there, but has become widely popular with Cornellians from every part of the country.
Example: When Lori asked if anyone was interested in catching a movie, Sam replied, "I'm all about seeing a movie tonight."
Etymology: The English language did not previously have a phrase which truely captured the idea of having a great urge to do something. The phrase "all about" is very similar to the dutch "Ik heb zin om te..." Now that this idea has become something Americans wish to express, I think young people shall continue to use the phrase "all about" until another way of expressing the same feeling comes into use. This phrase gives the feeling of entire (all) ownership (about) of an activity or a type of food, for example, which appeals to the speaker's sense of self.
- Joanna Jackson

All good (adj)
/AlgUd/
Definition: When circumstances have changed, but the speaker still considers the situation to be positive, she would describe it as "all good."
Attested: This phrase also probably originated in NYC, and was brought to Cornell and adopted by the students here.
Example: Mike apologized to Sara for not inviting her to the ska concert, and she replied, "That's okay. I was finally able to finish my research paper, so it's all good."
Etymology: "All good" is very similar to "okay," but not exactly synonymous. To say that something is all good implies that the speaker has made a specific effort to be easy-going about the outcome of a situation, and to have a positive attitude as well. This is a very pleasant phrase to have added to the spoken English language. The superlative "all" is used to encompass every aspect of the situation, and "good" to convey a feeling a satsfaction and finality, such as is found in the opening chapter of Genesis.
- Joanna Jackson

All over (adv)
/Alo@wv¥r
Definition: Not to be confused with all about, it is having the intention of thoroughly completing a certain task.
Attested: Once again, this phrase was brought to Cornell from an outside source, but adopted by the community as a favorite slang.
Example: We needed someone to look up the number for a local pizza place on the Internet, so Jim jumped up and declared, "I'm all over that."
Etymology: To be "over" a task gives the impression of control and capability. The superlative "all" gives a sense of the completeness of your control or the entirity of the efforts that will be made toward doing this thing.
- Joanna Jackson

ARME (Noun)
`arm-ee; pronounced like "army"; /a@rmi/
Definition: Agricultural, Resource, and Managerial Economics.
Attested: I first encountered this acronym on my residence hall floor when someone who is an ARME major mentioned it.
Example: "I'm an ARME major in the Ag school, it's a great program that saves me money."
Etymology: The term is believed to have been created when this major was first offered at Cornell. In my experience this major is unique to Cornell University and seems to be quite popular. ARME is used primarily in conversational speech. The word most likely was derived from the first letters of each of the words in the title of the major. This abbreviation seems to be the preferred way to abbreviate the name of the major. I know of no other abbreviation for Agricultural, Resource, and Managerial Economics.
- Ed Cabic

Arts and Crafts
rhymes with 'bats canned rafts'; /A@rts¥nkrQ$fts/
Definition: Arts and Crafts is the nickname often implied to the College of Arts and Sciences here at Cornell University.
Attested: I first heard this nickname during first night, most often it was during attempts to desperately remember peoples names and majors.
Example: "Is he an Aggie or is he Arts and Crafts?"
Etymology: Arts and Crafts probably arose as a way to poke fun at the College of Arts and Sciences. The word is often used lightly and is not intended to be rude or cruel. Even memebers of this college often use it when asked which school at Cornell they attend.
- Ryan Rapp

Artsie (noun)
/A@rtsi/
Definition: a student in the school of Arts and Sciences at Cornell.
Attested: I first encountered this term in September of 1998, spoken by a Cornell student.
Example: "Everywhere you look you can find Artsies at Cornell."
Etymology: This term comes from the word "art" and is a shortening of the term "Arts and Sciences."
- George Durham

Arts-Quad (noun).
rhymes with "police squad"
Definition: rectangular grassy area located at Cornell University enclosed by Morril Hall, McGraw Hall, White Hall, Sibley Hall, Lincoln Hall, Goldwin Smith Hall, and Olin Library
Attested: This term was used as a reference point in directing me to several locations upon my arrival at Cornell in the summer of 1998.
Example: I have to go to Goldwin Smith Hall this afternoon. Its located by the Arts-Quad.
Etymology: I have not heard this term outside of Cornell and therefore assume it is exclusive to Cornell. The origins of this term most likely come from its surrounding buildings. The buildings which enclose and make up the Arts-Quad are mostly buildings from the Arts and Science College. Thus the term "Arts" come from the College of Arts and Sciences, and "Quad" is in reference to the general location of these buildings. The term is most commonly used as a reference point for other locations on campus.
- Brian Montenegro

ATS (noun)
a-t-s; /eytiEs/
Definition: a service that offers computer help for students; stands for Academic Technology Services.
Attested: I first heard this term when I was having trouble with my computer and called someone for help.
Example: "I called ATS because my computer was having problems."
Etymology: This term most likely came about because its is an acronym. This term provides a concise, practical way to say Academic Technology Services. I think this term is probably confined to Cornell, because it provides free assistance to students of the university. However, maybe other colleges have the same name for their computer help desk too.
- Jessica Roberston