Diesel (adj.)
dee-zull; rhymes with "weasel"
Definition: muscular; physically built; buff; large (body size)
Attested: I first heard the term used in this context when a fellow Cornell student used the term to describe a well-built young man wearing a tight shirt.
Example: "Look at that guy-- he is diesel!"
Etymology: This term is most likely used only to describe males, as it brings to mind images that are traditionally considered masculine. The term probably originated from the comparison of a large, muscular body to a diesel truck. It is used in a complimentary sense. While the use of this term may not be limited to the Cornell region specifically, I had not heard the word before coming to this area from the Midwest, so the term is probably not commonly recognized on a national level.
- Kathryn Hupfer

Don-lon-ites (n)
Definition: a group of residents living together in Mary Donlon Hall at Cornell University on North campus.
Attested: I first encountered this term on Aug. 20 when i moved into Mary Donlon Hall and was referred to by the resident hall director as now a Donlonite.
Example: The Donlonites grouped together to form the most powerful intramural soccer team.
Etymology: As far as I can tell, this term was developed here at Cornell probably by the first residents to occupy Mary Donlon Hall. This term is unique to Cornell and would not be understood by outsiders.
- Eric Eisenhart

Donuts (noun).
dough-nuts
Definition: a course in the hotel school,(HA 102- "The Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series") in which students dress nicely, listen to speeches for about an hour, and then attend a reception with coffee and donuts.
Attested: I first encountered this word in the lounge on a Friday afternoon when I asked why people were coming back from class so dressed up.
Example: "I can't go out until later because I'm going to donuts this afternoon."
Etymology: This word is only used in this context at Cornell University. It is used most often by hotel school students who are taking this course. The students are graded as follows: 85%- attendance, 10%- two page paper, 5%- appropriate dress, but it seems that most people think that the donuts are also very important. This may be why the the course has this nickname.
- Kathy Voutsinas

Double 0 Class (noun)
Definition: a supplementary class that is given in several disciplines in order to help students with course material.
Attested: I was acquainted with this term at one of the first Biology 109 classes I attended at Cornell University. The assistant teacher announced that there would be a Biology 009 class that evening so as to help students who may have questions with the current curriculum.
Example: Tonight I went to the Biology 009 class because I had problems with the topic of photosynthesis.
Etymology: To the best of my knowledge, this is a term common only to the Cornell University campus. Other classes that have double 0 supplementary courses include chemistry and possibly physics, as well. These courses are not given for credit, just simply to make the course material more comprehendible.
- Randi Dublin

Double-oh-seven (Noun)
Definition: Another name for a bio-supplement class. It is called double-oh-seven because the course number is Bio007.
Attested: First encountered this word when I heard someone use it to describe the next class shežs going to.
Example: "Ižm going to be at double-oh-seven tonight so I canžt meet you for dinner"
Etymology: One of the things that are definitely unique to Cornell are nicknames for courses such as "double-oh-seven" and "donuts." Special words such as these fit perfectly into the university lingo and are commonly use. They certainly add much more fun into boring course names and is generally understood by most students. They also help build a bond between students that are in the same class. Even though making nicknames for all the courses would be good in theory, but nicknames donžt easily come along. The only reason that 007 is there is because of its obvious James Bond connotation.
- Kenneth Cheung

Dragon Day (noun)
Dr-gun Day
Definition: an annual event / day in which the engineering and architecture students of Cornell University compete in their skill to build stronger structures and models.
Attested: I first encountered this term in May 1997 when a representative came to my high school from Cornell University. As she was telling us about some of the unique events of Cornell, this term arose.
Example: Another parade through the Cornell University occurred today with the appearance of the dragon along with the students of engineering and architecture in celebration of the Dragon Day.
Etymology: In my experience, this term is unique to Cornell University only where all the students know what it is about and how exciting this event is every year. Perhaps it's not only unique to the students of Cornell. It can be an exciting event for the towns people of Ithaca to bring their children to watch. Other institutions do not have this term nor event. Yet, in Cornell, this is a commonly used term and an event that everyone looks forward to. This is the day in which the long-lasting rivalry between the Architects and the Engineers comes to the surface as a battle between good and evil, the Knights and the Dragon. The Architects spend the weeks before Dragon Day building a huge, elaborate dragon, which they parade through the streets of campus, taunting the Engineers all the way. The Engineers take their part by returning the taunts, throwing things at the dragons, and even engaging in "friendly" wrestling matches with the Architects. The day climaxes in the dramatic burning of the dragon by the Engineers.
- Julia Park

Dragon Day (Noun)
Drag-on Day; Rhymes with wagon and bay
Definition: Dragon day is a holiday which the engineering and architecture student started to 'celebrate' their rivalry. It is a festive event where the architects spend their time and effort to construct a dragon which the engineers aim to destroy. One would know that it is dragon day by the toilet paper covered trees around campus.
Attested: First encountered this word during my visit to Cornell last spring when the tour guide told the group about the very unique holiday.
Example: "I think today is dragon day! Just look at all the toilet paper around. Let's skip class and try to smash the dragon up."
Etymology: This holiday is definitely one that is only present here at Cornell. No other university in the country has the bright idea to create a day which the stressed out students can have fun and unwind. However, the holiday doesn't only serve to be pure entertainment but it also brings students in opposing colleges closer together. Oftentimes people in different colleges who take different classes don't get a lot of chance to interact, and dragon day serves as the magnet to bring them together. Even though it's a day based around destroying the dragon, the actual violence and destruction is minimal.
- Kenneth Cheung