C.O.E.
Sounds like three distinct letters. C-O-E .
Definition: Abbreviation for Cornell Outdoor Education ñ a special category of gym classes offered here at Cornell
Attested: First encountered this word at freshman registration when someone handed me a pamphlet and encouraged me to pick a C.O.E as my gym class.
Example: ìWhy donít we do something more exciting than bowling and take a C.O.E class next semester. Itíll be awesome!î
Etymology: The term C.O.E is definition a synonym for excitement and fun, but along with the good comes a heavy price tag. If you have deep pockets and are ready to spend 6-9 hours on weekend activities or trips, then C.O.E. might be the way to go. It is obvious that C.O.E is unique to Cornell. Not many schools have such an easy access to lakes, ski-slopes as Cornell. Being in the middle of nowhere has its ups and downs, and Cornell students better exploit it and have some fun.
- Kenneth Cheung

C-Town (noun)
see-town
Definiton: Collegetown- a neigborhood bordering Cornell, home to many students and shops.
Attested: I first saw this word on a campus map made by one of my RA's.
Example: "My friends and I went out to dinner in C-Town after class."
Etymology: Although this abbreviation may be used in other places, when used a Cornell it specifically refers to Collegetown. It is an abbreviated form of the word Collegetown. Since Collegetown is the center of off- campus activity, students refer to it very often in speaking, and thus a shorter form of the word developed to make things easier.
- Kathy Voutsinas

Cash Op (noun)
Kashe Ah-p
Definition: An option service provided by the Cornell university dining halls around campus allowing students to purchase food items up to a set price limit in place of dining in.
Attested: I first encountered this term August 1999 during my first week at Cornell when a upper classman informed me that I could purchase food items in place of using a meal plan
Example: "Since I have a lot of meals I didn't use this week, I think that I'll used the Cash Op"
Etymology: I've never heard of this term until I arrived to the Cornell campus. All Cornell students on the meal plans are familiar with this term and this is evident by the long lines at Bear Necessities on Wednesday nights when the time period is over to use up the meals per week. Perhaps this concept is not necessarily unique to Cornell University. Other universities around the country may have a similar plan but may be referred to as something else. This term probably was derived from the option of setting a cash limit instead of dining in. The price limit was probably arranged on an estimate of the cost of a regular meal.
- Julia Park

Cayuga's Waiters (noun)
Ky-you-gaz way-terz
Definition: one of Cornell's all-male a capella singing groups
Attested: I first encountered this term at "Cornell Night" during Freshman Orientation. Many of Cornell's performers put on a show for the freshmen class, including the talented Cayuga's Waiters.
Example: "Did you hear Cayuga's Waiters' rendition of the song 'We Didn't Start The Fire'? It was so funny!"
Etymology: do not know the history of this singing group's name, why they call themselves the "Waiters," although it is clear where "Cayuga" comes from. However, what is interesting about this title is that one who does not attend Cornell, upon hearing the term "Cayuga's Waiters," would assume that it refers to actual waiters, perhaps those who serve the food to the students at Cornell.
- Courtney Berman

Chalking (Verb)
chÛk-king/ rhymes with "blocking"
Definition: This word is used to describe an action where Cornell students inscribe important messages or news on the pavement with colorful chalk.
Attested: First encountered this word while walking down from north campus and hearing someone close to me describe the action.
Example: "Hey, why don't we go chalking tonight down at Willard Straight so everyone will know about the dance next Friday?"
Etymology: This word might be in use in other Universities but I first encountered it here in Cornell. However, I know for a fact that this word is not used in city Universities such as NYU where the campus very restricted. Chalking is a very useful form of communication among the students on campus who donít usually have contact with each other. The messages are very often interesting and aesthetically pleasing. It is an art to use instruments such as chalk to compose vivid images that catch the attention of any passerby. One major setback about chalking is that the messages quickly fades when it rain, snow, or sleet. (All of which make up 90% of Ithaca weather.)
- Kenneth Cheung

Chef Wang (noun)
[_Êf-wÊ_]
Definition: A Chinese cook, of late middle age. Works in the dining hall, Okenshield's, at Willard Straight Hall. His specialty is stir-fried lo-mein.
Attested: I first saw this term in Okenshield¼s during my first meal there. One of my seniors recommended to me the stir-fried lo-mein, hence I joined the long queue for it. It was then that I discovered the 'famous' name ‚ Chef Wang ‚ and his 'famous' quote "Welcome, my friends."
Example: "Let¼s have Chef Wang's stir-fried for lunch today!"
Etymology: åChef Wang¼ is definitely a term unique to Cornell. Since Chef Wang cooks in Okenshield's, where many students frequent, I would say that a large proportion of them would have at least heard of him, even if they did not eat his stir-fried lo-mein. Chef Wang originated from Taiwan, and has been in the States for the past twenty years. Sometimes while he is cooking, he will talk about himself. He revealed that he had a son studying in Harvard. He had set up a restaurant somewhere in the States a few years ago. When he wanted to retire, his son did not want to take over the business, thus he sold the restaurant for close to a million dollars. He works only 8 months a year (while school is on) and spends the rest of the year in Paris where he owns a house. There are also rumours about him: he graduated from Cornell with a degree in Bioengineering.
- Alan Lim Tze Jiat

Chemie (noun, adj.)
kemi
Definition: chemical engineering class.
Attested: I first heard this term on October 4, 1999 in my dorm room as uttered by my roommate.
Example: "I have a Chemie prelim tomorrow."
Etymology: This term simply came about as an abbreviation for chemical engineering. "Chem" is the abbreviation for "chemical," and "E" (or "ie") is the abbreviation for "engineering." Ergo, "Chemie."
- Phil Mazo

Chordials (plural noun)
korjilz/; rhymes with "four Jills"
Definition: a delightful co-ed acapella group, only three years old, that consists of students from Cornell University.
Attested: I first heard of the Chordials when I was interested in trying out for a singing group on campus.Ý They had a sign posted outside of the Plant Science Building, Room 233, advertising tryouts.
Example: Randi was elated one evening when a group of girls and guys from the Chordials came into her room to announce that she had made the singing group.
Etymology: This word is typically used in the English language without an "h" and refers to someone who is friendly and polite.Ý Thus, this name that the singers gave themselves reflects the courteous nature that is common to them. The Chordials may be discussed by students attending both Cornell University and Ithaca College, due to their frequent "arch sing" appearances and other Concerts.
- Randi Dublin

Commons, The (noun)
the ka-mins
Definition: A popular shopping area in downtown Ithaca similar to an outdoor mall, where there are numerous stores and restaurants and which is also the main center of activity for the Ithaca community.
Attested: I first heard when I first arrived at Cornell. My family was looking for a place to have dinner, and someone told us that there are many restaurants in The Commons.
Example: "I spent my Saturday afternoon window shopping in The Commons."
Etymology: This is another term for "Ithaca Commons". It was probably shortened since we're all pretty much stuck in Ithaca and there is no other "Commons" we can easily get to. This term is unique to the Ithaca area in reference to this particular area. It is possible that other places may use this term, or they may use terms such as "downtown", "Main Street", etc., to refer to similar shopping areas.
- Kathy Voutsinas

Cornell Calves (noun)
Cor-nell calves; [kornel cÊvs]
Definition: This term is used to describe the muscles that will often develop in your calves as a result of walking up and down all of the hills at Cornell University.
Attested: I first heard this term being used when I was walking to one of the farthest buildings on campus from my dorm. I was walking with a friend, when I began to complain about all the walking I do here. She then responded by saying, "well, at least you will have your Cornell Calves soon."
Example: "After the hike everyday from North Campus to Central Campus, I will definitely have Cornell Calves by the end of the semester."
Etymology: This term is obviously used only at Cornell University. It was probably developed by those new students at Cornell who could not handle the extreme amount of exercise that one is forced to do everyday. Since the Cornell Campus is filled with hills, the calves are the muscles that receive the best workout. Therefore, the term Cornell Calves came to be used to describe the calves of those students at Cornell University who walk, instead of take the bus.
- Jessica Grauer

CORNELLCARD (noun/verb).
core-nel-card
DEFINITION: Used as a noun, the Cornellcard is a type of credit card unique to Cornell. The beauty of it is that the bill goes to your parents rather than to you, the user. As a verb, to \"Cornellcard it\" means to charge something on the Cornellcard.
ATTESTED: I first encountered this term in one of the many papers sent to us from Cornell over the summer.
EXAMPLE: \"Hmmm...I don't seem to have enough money. That's okay; I'll just Cornellcard it!\"
ETYMOLOGY: In my experience, this word is unique to Cornell, because the card itself is unique to Cornell. It was designed to work much like the way other credit cards work, except that the parents of the user receive the bill.
- Ana Law

Cornelian (noun)
Core- nel- ean/ rhymes with Chameleon
Definition: a clear red chalcedony color, (chalcedony is a waxy, translucent crypto-crystalline variety of quartz).
Attested: I first encountered this word when my friend who was going to be a sophomore, questioned me on what were the colors for Cornell. When I said red and white he said I was wrong because it was Cornelian and white.
Example: "The color of a Cornell football helmet is not red, but Cornelian."
Etymology: From my knowledge Cornell wanted to distinguish itself from other universities. Most other universities have normal colors as their team colors. For example, Michigan State has green and white. Cornell didn't want its colors to be just plain old red and white so they decided to use a shade of red called Cornellian. Cornellian has stuck and Cornell's colors are now Cornellian and white, rather than what is assumed to be red and white.
- Stephen Guijarro

Cornhell (noun)
korn-h_l
Definition: term used to associate Cornell University with hell.
Attested: I first heard this term used when I was walking behind two Juniors and they began complaining about the 3 prelims and 2 papers they had due next week. They joked that they were attending Cornhell University.
Example: I told my friends that I was so busy with homework that I was now attending Cornhell University.
Etymology: This word is obviously derived from this university¼s name. However, what is unclear is how this word came to be. My only assumption is the possible myth that Cornell University is the easiest Ivy to get into, but the hardest to graduate from. It is due to the workload that the students are given here that this university is labeled Cornhell University.
- Clark Huang

Crush Party (noun)
krush- par-ti
Definition: a party hosted by a sorority at a fraternity house or hosted by a fraternity, invitation only.
Attested: I first heard the term last year when visiting in April.
Example: There is a crush party tonight.
Etymology: It is doubtful that this term is used on other campuses, however, it is a possibility if Greek life plays a big role in certain campuses. Sororities or fraternities send out invitations to members of he opposite sex who they want to invite or crush. Crush is also used as a verb: She crushed (invited) him. The guests of these parties are supposed to dress up. Although these parties are invite only, most people can get in if they dress appropriately.
- Satch Sil