McLLU (Noun)
`Mick-L-L-U; /m¥kElElyu/
Definition: The Multicultural Living and Learning Unit.
Attestation: I first heard of McLLU during orientation week 1998.
Example: "Lucinda and Pablo live in McLLU.
Etymology: This shortening of the longer phrase is unique to Cornell University. I would guess that it was abbreviated with the Mc in the beginning because of the effect of McDonalds restaurants on society. Also, this makes it more easy to pronounce. This abbreviation is used in conversational speech about as much as the longer version is used from my experience. It probably came into use when the unit was established.
- Ed Cabic

Mechies (Noun)
`Meck-ees; /mE@kiz/
Definition: Mechanical Engineers
Attestation: I first heard this phrase in an engineering banquet during orientation week 1998.
Example: "All the mechies hang out at Upson Hall."
Etymology: The nickname is a combination of the words Mechanical and Engineers. The only place that I have heard it used was at Cornell University, however, it may be used elsewhere. It follows the same naming conventions as other engineering nicknames. It seems to be well accepted in the Cornell community.
- Ed Cabic

Midnight Scream (noun)
/mI@dnayt skrim/
Definition: A cornell tradition that occurs each year on nights before final exams. Everyone exits their dwelling and releases their frustration through screaming.
Attested: I first encountered this word during final exam week last year when someone said they were looking forward to the midnight scream.
Example: "The Midnight Scream was so loud last year that we could hear WestCampus from all the way up on North."
Etymology: The Term is basically self explanatory and non-creative. Just how old the tradition is is unknown.
- Krista Bendig

Morgue (noun).
morg/morg
Definition: a study lounge on the first floor of Mary Donlon Hall.
Attested: I first heard this at a floor meeting during orientation week, spoken by one of my RA's
Example: "I'm going down to the Morgue to study."
Etymology: This word does exist as a homonym in the English, and has acquired a second meaning here at Cornell. I think this term originated because the study lounge is very quiet, cold, and dark, because of the air conditioning and the fact that it is poorly lit. These characteristics make the study lounge much like a typical morgue, and that is probably why this study lounge was named 'the morgue.' I don't think the use of this meaning of the word extends beyond the limits of Cornell University, or even perhaps beyond the residents of Mary Donlon Hall. I think people use this word so much because is it a concise, easy-to-say word for study lounge.
- Jessica Robertson