A Crappy Test (“ACT” backronym)
The ACT (originally "American College Testing") is a test that helps students enter college. The ACT test has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname "Another Crappy…
Algebro (algebra + bro)
An "algebro" (algebra + bro) is a friend (usually male) who likes math (usually algebra). The term was popularized by the 2008 videogame Math Kickers: Featuring the Algebros. An Urban…
All But Dissertation (ABD)
A graduate student who is in a Ph.D. program often completes all the requirements, except for a dissertation. Such a student has been nicknamed an ABD -- "All But Dissertation." The term…
Always Seek Knowledge (“ask” backronym)
"Always Seek Knowledge" is a backronym (back acronym) of the word "ask" that has been printed on many posters. "A$k: Always seek knowledge" was cited in a 1987 book.…
Asiantation (Asian + orientation)
The term "oriental" is often regarded as an ethnic slur. Some people jocularly believe that a school "orientation" should be called "Asiantation." "Orientation…
Bachelor of Fuck All (Bachelor of Fine Arts or BFA backronym)
The "B.F.A." degree usually stands for "Bachelor of Fine Arts," but it has been given, by some, the backronym (back acronym) of "Bachelor of Fuck All." "I…
Bears (New York Institute of Technology teams)
The New York Institute of Technology has three locations: Manhattan (near Lincoln Center), and Old Westbury and Central Islip on Long Island. The NY Tech teams are named the "Bears"…
Beavers (CCNY teams)
"Go Beavers!" No, that's not porn coming back to Times Square. "Beaver" is the nickname of the City College of New York's sports teams. New York, historically, was a…
Beducator (bed + educator)
Beducator = Bed + Educator. This word comes from the New York (NY) Post -- a newspaper that often runs sensational stories. 14 April 2005, New York (NY) Post, pp. 1-2:Second HS beducator exposedIt…
Big Apple Awards (New York City public school teachers)
The annual Big Apple Awards by the New York City Department of Education began in 2013 and honor the best public school teachers. Teachers receive a classroom grant for their student and schools.…
Big Man On Campus (BMOC)
A "big man on (the) campus" (BMOC) is a male student who is highly popular. He could be a star athlete, a star student, a wealthy celebrity, a class president or popular in other ways.…
Bir Zeit on the Hudson (Columbia University)
Columbia University has become known for outspoken professors, many of whom are agressively anti-American and anti-Israel. "Bir Zeit on the Hudson" has become (to some critics) a nickname…
Blackbirds (Long Island University teams)
It is not known when or why Long Island University called its sports teams the "Blackbirds," but the nickname had been used since at least 1935. In 2019, the "Blackbirds"…
Blue and White, Cubs, Lions (Columbia teams)
There are the Princeton Tigers and the Harvard Crimson. Columbia's nicknames would have both an animal (lion) and a color (blue and white). "Blue and White" came first, around 1900.…
Bowen’s Rule (Bowen’s Law; Bowen’s Revenue Theory of Cost)
Howard Bowen (1908-1989) wrote about the "revenue theory of cost" in regard to higher education; the theory has been called "Bowen's Law" and "Bowen's Rule"…
Brooklyn-Queens Day
"Brooklyn-Queens Day" is best known simply as a day off school. It originally celebrated the birth of Brooklyn's Sunday School Union in early 1800s. The day was also known as…
Bull Shit (Bachelor of Science or BS backronym)
"B.S." has been used for "bull shit" since at least the 1910s. "B.S." also stands for the "Bachelor of Science" degree. There is no exact date for when the…
C.C.N.Y. (Christian College Now Yiddish)
This nickname for CCNY (City College of New York) doesn't have much circulation now, but is perhaps worth recording. http://www.jewishpress.com/news_article.asp?article=1972(Posted 1-8-2003 -…
Capeesh (Italian for “understand”)
"Capisce" (also spelled "capeesh" or "kapeesh") is Italian for "understand." The slang spellings and pronunciation have long been a part of New York…
Capisce (Italian for “understand”)
"Capisce" (also spelled "capeesh" or "kapeesh") is Italian for "understand." The slang spellings and pronunciation have long been a part of New York…