Glossary

This glossary should help clear up any questions about Cambridge slang, which can seem a bit opaque at first.

  • Arch ‘n’ Anth – Archaeology and Anthropology
  • The Backs – the grassy lawns by the river behind colleges like Clare and King’s
  • Bedder – a cleaner
  • Boaties – people who row
  • Catz – St Catharine’s College
  • Cindies – a popular night club in Lion’s Yard (officially named Ballare)
  • Clareif – a magazine published by students at Clare
  • Compsci – Computer Scientist
  • CUSU – Cambridge University Students’ Union
  • Easter Term – the third term of the academic year
  • Fitz – Fitzwilliam College (may also refer to the Fitzwilliam Museum)
  • Full-term – the 8-9 weeks you must be physically in residence in Cambridge to qualify for a degree
  • Gyp – a small kitchen in student accommodation
  • Mathmo – Mathematician
  • May Ball – an all-night black tie event held by many colleges in June
  • MCR – Middle Combination Room (the graduate common room, located in Old Courti n Clare, as well as the name for the graduate students’ union)
  • Pidge – pigeonhole (in the Porter’s Lodge where your post gets delivered)
  • Punting – cruising down the river, propelling a flat boat (a punt) down the river with a pole
  • Supo – a supervision (where an academic discusses a piece of work one-on-one or in a small group) or a supervisor (the academic leading the supervision who usually also marks your work)
  • Undergrad – Undergraduate student (a student who hasn’t yet achieved their first degree)
  • Van of Death – kebab van on the south side of the market