Phenomenon (noun)
Definition: a Cornell dance step group that creates rhythm using various parts of their body
Attested: I first encountered this term in August 1999 at Cornell Night when they were the first group to perform.
Example: "Phenomenon's incredible rhythm and synchrony is a phenomenon!"
Etymology: In my experience, this term is unique to Cornell University. Similar groups do exist elsewhere in the country, and even perform on Broadway. The group probably got its name because of the talent and skill it possesses. It takes a lot to make the team Ò one must be athletic, agile and have good rhythm. That is why the group makes such an amazing impression when it performs. The audiences are usually dumbfounded, and the group always receives a big round of applause.
- Tejal Shah
Pipes (noun)
Pronunciation: payps
Definition: Upper arm muscles; biceps
Attested: I first heard the term here at Cornell used
by a fellow student.
Example: "I've been working out - check out my pipes."
Etymology: This is a colloquial term that may or may
not be used throughout the nation. It is more likely to
be used by a person who lifts weights or works out.
Since speakers may be aware that this term might not be
universally recognized, an arm flexing gesture to
reiterate its meaning often accompanies the usage of the
word.
- Kathryn Hupfer
PMP (noun)
PMP; pronounce each letter as it is said [piempi].
I. Definition: It is an abbreviation for "Poor Man's Pizza." It can be
described as something like a pizza-sandwich. It is sold at The Hot Truck,
which is located on West Campus on Stewart Avenue. It is made primarily of
bread, sauce and cheese.
Attested: I first heard this term being used when I took my first trip to
The Hot Truck. When I was waiting on line I was asked if I wanted to split
a "Double PMP." Since I had never heard this term before, they explained
to me that it was a Poor Man's Pizza. It was created at Hot Truck many
years ago and is still being eaten at Cornell.
Example: "If you go to The Hot Truck late at night and you want something
good to eat, you should definitely order the PMP."
Etymology: As far as I know, this term is only used at Cornell University.
It is an abbreviation for Poor Man's Pizza. This term was obviously
created because it is a form of pizza that had not been known to anyone and
is sold out of truck. The abbreviation probably developed over the years
of the sandwich being eaten because it is difficult to say "Poor Man's
Pizza." This is how the sandwich that is eaten by many students at Cornell
came to be known as the PMP.
- Jessica Grauer
II. Definition: This is an abbreviation for one of the Hot Truck¼s best selling sandwiches, the Poor Man¼s Pizza. It consists of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese served in a French bread sandwich, which is heated until the cheese has melted.
Example: "Di, after the party let¼s stop by Hot Truck for a PMP."
Etymology: This term has been around since 1960, and is called a Poor Man¼s Pizza, because of the low $3.00 cost of this sandwich.
- Jessical Glass
POP (noun).
pap; rhymes with "mop"
DEFINITION: cola/soda.
ATTESTED: I discovered this term by asking a Cornell alum whom I know well. She told me that when she was at Cornell, she asked for a soda at one of Cornell's dining halls and was given an icecream soda, because plain cola was referred to as "pop."
EXAMPLE: "I'll have a basket of fries and a pop, please."
ETYMOLOGY: This term is also used in some midwestern states, but it is unique in the northeast. I'm not sure why Cornell University would use it. Maybe it is a reflection of Cornell's diversity and unique-ness.
- Ana Law
Prefrosh (noun)
Pree-frosh
Definition: a high school senior who visits Cornell as a prospective Cornellian; some people say that a prefrosh has to be an accepted high school student while others say that a prefrosh can be any senior who has either applied or is thinking about applying to Cornell, and is visiting to see how they like it
Attested: I first encountered this term last April when I visited Cornell during Cornell Days. My host introduced me to her friends as the "prefrosh staying with her."
Example: "Let¼s show the prefrosh a such a good time that they¼ll apply to Cornell early!"
Etymology: Freshmen are commonly referred to as frosh, so prefrosh is a pretty logical term; they are students who are not yet freshmen yet. I have not heard this term elsewhere, but it would make sense at any college. However in my experiences, outsiders to Cornell are totally unfamiliar with the term. Last weekend, two of my friends from high school who are currently seniors came to visit, and they wondered why everyone kept referring to them as prefrosh.
- Tejal Shah
Pre-Frosh (Noun)
Definition: A perspective student that comes to visit Cornell University
Attested: I first encountered this word when my roommate told me he was
going to eat with one of his friend's who had a pre-frosh staying with her
Example: A student and her pre-frosh went on a campus tour to see all that
Cornell University has to offer.
Etymology: Pre-frosh follows in the steps of nicknames for freshman. For
example, there is J-frosh for those students that are first year freshman
in the spring semester. Therefore pre-froshes obtain there name because
there have not been a freshman yet at Cornell, but they are thinking of
attending. They get treated likes kings and are shown everything about
Cornell. They are spoiled in a way so that maybe they will decide to
attend Cornell which would then make them part of the heralded Cornelian
froshes.
- Stephen Guijarro
Pregame (noun)
[pri ‚ gem]
Definition: this term refers to a small party thrown just before a major party, at which all people present are exclusively invited by those hosting it. Pregame is a closed event, that occurs from about 7-9:30 PM, whereas, the main party, that takes place after pregame is an open event, that anyone may attend.
Attested: I heard this last weekend, "Jess, are you going to pregame tonight?"
Etymology: This term is not part of standard language and has been in existence for quite a while. As far as I know is used exclusively at Cornell University.
- Jessica Glass
Pumpkin Tower (noun).
pump-kin touh-er; rhymes with dump gin
Definition: alias the Clock Tower
Attested: I first heard this term on August 20, 1999, the first day of
oreintation. My oreintation counselors told our group to meet them at the
Pumpkin Tower at 10:00, if we wanted a ride into college town.
Example: "Meet me at the Pumpkin Tower."
Etymology: This term originates here at Cornell, and may be understood by
the locals. However, those who have no affiliation with Cornell or Ithaca
would not understand the term. The Clock Tower is now also known as the
Pumpkin Tower because last Halloween, a pumpkin mysteriously appeared
on the top of the Clock Tower. The authorites have no definite proof of how
the one hundred pound pumpkin made it to the top. One theory is the
pumpkin was stored in the bell room of the tower, and rock climber
visiting from RPI scaled the tower, got the pumpkin, and placed it at
the peak of the tower. Then there were doubts if pumpkin was organic or
man-made because it did fall until late January (?).
- Satch Sil
Pure Battle Cat (noun).
Definition: an individual who is regarded highly, esp.
for the individual's ability to rap methodically.
Attested: I first encountered this term in September
1999 as it was written on a dry erase board on the door
of a Cornell student's room, to describe that particular
student's taste in music.
Example: "When I heard that song, I realized that Dr.
Dre raps like a pure battle cat."
Etymology: This term is usually accompanied by a number
of similar slang terms. These terms originate in the
so-called "hood," as explained by the user of the
expression "pure battle cat." According to the user, a
pure battle cat might also be described as "having tight
rhymes" or "rhymes tighter than Urkel's pants." A pure
battle cat might also be exalted as a "ghetto
superstar." It should be noted that many of these
expressions grow from stereotypes of inner-city culture
and have become clich» due to overuse by mostly white
youths who dwell outside city limits, namely in suburban
or rural areas.
- Kathryn Hupfer