ILR (abbreviation, noun or adjective)
ay l r; Each letter is pronounced individually
Definition: Abbreviation for Industrial and Labor Relations, one of the
undergraduate schools at Cornell. Offering courses in labor economics,
collective bargaining, and organizational behavior, it is a popular choice
for prospective lawyers and those entering the private sector.
Attested: The first time I came across this term occurred when looking at a
Cornell viewbook in the fall of 1998.
Example: Required courses in ILR include economics, statistics, and labor
history.
Etymology: The school of Industrial and Labor Relations was established in
1944 by the New York State Legislature and is still funded by the state.
The first of its kind, it was established due to the labor strife that
occurred in the United States in the earlier part of the twentieth century.
As stated in the law creating ILR "the object of such school shall be to
improve industrial and labor conditions in the state through the provision
of instruction, the conduct of research, and the dissemination of
information in all aspects of industrial, labor, and public relations
affecting employers and employees." Cornell still offers the only four-year
degree program in the United States. Based in Ives Hall, ILR is one of the
smaller undergraduate schools at Cornell, consisting of 720 undergraduates.
- Michael Senra
Ithacating (noun)
Iq
¶
ketih/ rhymes with myth abating
Definition: To be raining, to have water falling from the sky
Attested: I first heard this term in April of 1999 when I visited Cornell and my tour guide remarked,
Example: Oh look, it's Ithacating again.
Etymology: This is a term that would totally mystify anyone who has never been to Ithaca. It is used in joking situations to help the population of Ithaca deal with the frequent rain showers. The term most likely originated from the unique weather in Ithaca, suggesting that rain is so common that it is no longer simply raining, but Ithacating. Also, the overcast skies and drizzle that often cloak the Cornell campus support the suggestion that a rainstorm may belong solely to Ithaca. The term is used more often in the spring because rain is much more common at this time of year. Anyone who uses the term cannot speak merely of Ithacat (rain), only of Ithacating (raining). Therefore, the term cannot be used to talk about the rain outside, but instead to say that it is raining outside.
- Steve Glasgow