Add-drop (verb, adjective)
Add-drop (pronounced as two words)
Definition: 1. (verb) To include or remove classes from a Cornell studentÌs course schedule. 2. (adjective) [add-drop form] Describes a written application to take on more classes or to stop attending certain ones.
Attested: I first heard of this term during orientation in Cornell. One of the orientation counselors were talking about the academic life. When she was talking about classes, she mentioned this term several times.
Example: 1. "I cannot stay on with this windsurfing class anymore. The wind is too strong and the water too cold. I have to add-drop this class soon." 2. "If you want to take that psychology class, you got to fill in an add-drop form."
Etymology: This term is used specifically in universities and may be unique to Cornell. Professors, school administrators and especially students use this term most frequently during the start of a semester when students are busy adding and dropping classes from their course schedules. Add-dropping is something that all Cornell students will have to go through during their stay here. For some, this may be one of the most hectic experiences they may encounter, given the running all over school for signatures of professors and course administrators. The add-drop form is also widely seen during the add-drop frenzy during the start of school. A record number of students will be holding this white and pink piece of paper in their hands during the Grand Course Exchange held during orientation.
Alan Lim Tze Jiat

After Hours (noun)
aff-ter ow-ers; rhymes with laughter sours
Definition: fraternity sponsered parties that begin late at night.
Attested: I first heard the term Saturday, September 11, 1999. My friends informed me we were going to after hours at DU.
Example: Alpha Delt is having After Hours.
Etymology: This term could also be found at other campuses, however, I have only heard of it at Cornell. The reason that after hours exists is because fraternity parties that go through the Universtiy must be catered by an independent caterer that must required 21 ID to drink. Most of these parties stop serving alcohol at 1:00 am. Many students wish to continue drinking, and fraternities realize this and supply alcohol for these students "After Hours," no ID required.
- Satch Sil

Ag (noun)
ag; rhymes with "tag"
Definition: the Agriculture and Life Science school at Cornell University.
Attested: I first encountered this term in late August 1999, as uttered by fellow students.
Example: "I¼m in the Ag school."
Etymology: "Ag" is simply an abbreviation for "agriculture", and hence it is easily understood to stand for the only school at Cornell with "Agriculture" in its title.
- Phil Mazo

Aggie (noun)
rhymes with Maggie
Definition: a nickname for a person attending the Agriculture and Life Sciences school at Cornell University.
Attested: My first day at Cornell, during my OC meeting, we all introduced ourselves. When I told the group what school I was in, one of the counselors remarked, "Another aggie."
Etymology: This term is used only at Cornell by its student and faculty, and is not in the standard language. It derived from the name of the school that these students attend.
- Jessica Glass

The Arch (Noun)
Arch (it's phonetic); Rhymes with march
Definition: An area at Balch hall where an arch acts as an overhead canopy to shield students from sun and rain alike
Attested: First encountered this word when my friend named the arch as a place to meet up.
Example: "It's going to rain tomorrow so I'll meet you at the arch at 9 so I won't get wet if you're late."
Etymology: Since this word specifies a place in Cornell, it's pretty much only used here. The arch is a major meeting place on campus. Nearly everyone who lives on North campus has to pass by the arch when returning to their dorms. Since this is the case, a lot of chalk messages are also located their for everyone to see. Anyone who is behind on the news can just walk down to the arch and see what activities are taking place in the next few days. No matter the time, there seems to be always a group of people standing around the arch chatting or hanging out for no reason at all. The shading definitely makes the arch an attractive place to be at any time of day.
- Kenneth Cheung

Arch Sing (noun)
rc s ; rhymes with "march ring"
Definition: an event performed under one of Cornell's famous arches in which acapella groups on campus sing in front of an audience. The arch provides for excellent acoustics.
Attested: I first heard this term used during one of the first few weeks of School. My friends asked me if I wanted to go listen to Last Call (one of the all-male acapella groups) under the Balch arch.
Example: "Come on you guys," Randi cheered, "you have to come to the Arch Sing tonight! You know that the Chordials are the greatest group of singers on campus!"
Etymology: I assume that this term is not commonly heard off the Cornell Campus because when I told a friend (who attends Columbia University) about the Arch Sing I would be performing in, he did not understand what I was referring to. Therefore, this term is well know only around Cornell and it is popular among the fans of acapella groups on campus. I do not believe that the surrounding town of Ithaca is familiar with it either.
- Randi Dublin

ARME (noun)
Ar-mee; rhymes with Marni (the name)
Definition: a major in the school of Agriculture and Life and Cornell University, it stands for Applied Resources and Managerial Economics (similar to a business major).
Attested: I first heard this term being used when my friend and I were discussing possible majors. He said that he was considering an ARME major and I assumed that he was talking about going into the army. Once he realized that I had never heard this terminology used before, he explained that it was simply an abbreviation commonly used at Cornell University.
Example: "According to my application, I am an ARME major, but that could change depending on the difficulty of the classes."
Etymology: As far as I know, this abbreviation is only used at Cornell University. This is probably due to the fact that most other schools would simply call this a business major, or something more simplistic that actually explains the students' interests. Once you have arrived at Cornell, you will begin to use this term as well. ARME majors are generally respected at Cornell University, despite the rumors that all of the introductory ARME classes are ridiculously easy. After spending two weeks at Cornell, I am now under the impression that ARME is an extremely common major. It is almost as common for first year students at Cornell as pre-med.
- Jessica Grauer