Tcat (noun)
ti-kÊt
Definition: A public bus company, serving tompkins county. Tcat actually stands for Tompkins County Area Transit.
Attested: I first heard of this term when I was introduced to the public bus service in Ithaca. My seniors were orientating me to the town when I first came. They mentioned the Pyramid Mall, Ithaca Commons, Wagmen's, etc, as places we could go to during the weekends. It was then that I asked them how we could get there, and subsequently found out that there are buses to these places.
Example: "This weekend, we are planning to go to the Pyramid Mall for a show by Tcat. Do you want to join us?"
Etymology: I can safely conclude that "Tcat" is a term that is unique to Ithaca since "Tcat" was named after the area it serves -- "Tompkins County." Of course, the term need not be used at all, since one can simply see that he or she is taking the bus to a certain place. However, it seems more stylish just to say Ï"I'm taking the Tcat to Pyramid Mall today." Not all Cornell students may recognise this term though, because they either stay within the campus all the time, or they walk to places, or they own cars, for which they do not need to get to know the bus services in Ithaca.
Alan Lim Tze Jiat

TEAGLE (noun). tigl; rhymes with "legal"
DEFINITION: an article of clothing given out to Cornell athletes, such as team sweatpants, shirts, etc. It is basically your unofficial ticket into the athlete weightroom.
ATTESTED: I just encountered this term last week when I joined the winter track team and was going into the weightroom for the first time with a teammate.
EXAMPLE: "Let's ask Coach to put out an order for more teagles. Some of these shirts are getting pretty old."
ETYMOLOGY: I believe this term is unique to Cornell University, because it sounds as though it was made up because of Teagle Hall, which is one of the main athletic buildings on campus.
- Ana Law

Teagles (noun)
Definition: a gray shirt and navy blue shorts issued by the Cornell Athletic Department to be worn by athletes to practce. They are labeled "Cornell Athletics."
Attested: I first heard the term at the first varsity softball practice. They were discussing the new teagle policy, where athletes will be issued teagles once in their freshman year and will keep them until the end of their senior year. Several of the girls were wearing teagles, so there was reference to what they were talking about.
Example: The dining hall was filled with smelly athletes still in their teagles.
Etymology: This term has stemmed from Teagle Hall, the athletics and physical education building. Much like a gym uniform, everyone in Teagle Hall probably wore this, and soon they ere referred to as teagles. Now, it is easy to tell who is an athlete because the spend 80% of their day in teagles. Teagles come in a one-size-fits-all variety, and are the same for almost every sport, male or female.
- Lori Homa

Traditions (n.)
Definition: The Cornell Tradition, Cornell Tradition Fellowship, a group that promotes and rewards work, scholarship, and service.
Attested: I first heard the term before I decided to come to Cornell in a letter telling me that I had won a Cornell Tradition Fellowship.
Example: Did you get a job for Traditions yet?
Etymology: The term comes from The Cornell Tradition, and can be related to the common definition of "tradition." Work, scholarship, and service have been important to Cornell University from its start. Ezra Cornell began the emphasis of working to reduce the financial cost of college. It is a tradition at Cornell. The group is called Traditions because it supports these values of work, scholarship, and service all at the same time.
- Lori Homa

Traying (verb/noun)
tr·-ing
Definition: Noun: The act of sledding with a tray. Verb: To go sledding with a tray.
Attested: I first heard the word "traying" during Cornell Days where a student tour guide explained some of the favorite past times here at Cornell.
Example: "During the first snow fall I went traying with my friends at the notorious big hill on West Campus."
Etymology: This word is unique to the area at Cornell where traying actually occurs. At Cornell, the steep slopes provide an excellent atmosphere where traying can occur. The word, "traying" is actually derived from the noun "tray," which is a plastic apparatus used to carryfood. The smooth surfaces of trays along with the steep hills at Cornell provide a near frictionless ride and a great rush for Cornellians seeking a good time and some adventure.
- Clark Huang