The official unofficial University of Michigan dictionary
Ever find yourself lost in a conversation with a U of M student? This (un)official dictionary will guide you through any conversation struggles
Nearly 45,000 students call the University of Michigan hoMe, and we are 100 percent the passionate wolverines everyone thinks we are. Not only do we pride ourselves on school traditions, established exactly 200 years ago, we have a fierce loyalty to one another, outstanding academics, and social culture that influences our lingo.
It’s hard to talk to people who are unaware of our particular vernacular, which leaves them completely confused. For the uninformed, communication can be a slightly difficult task so here is a complimentary (un)official dictionary for the University of Michigan.
Fishbowl
EVERYONE ELSE: n. a bowl you keep fish in.
UMICH: n (thing, place). a large alcoholic mixed tea drink served in a giant Mason jar thing at Charley’s OR the computer lab in Mason Hall
Maize
EVERYONE ELSE: n. another name for corn
UMICH: adj. the only shade of yellow that matters
Maize Rage
EVERYONE ELSE: ?????
UMICH: n. the student section at home basketball games (everyone wears maize)
Garage
EVERYONE ELSE: n. normally a place to park your car
UMICH: n. Church St.’s newest bar, conveniently connected to Pizza House and kept toasty warm with cute fireplaces
Pop
EVERYONE ELSE: adj. perhaps a genre of music
UMICH/MIDWEST: n. soda
Ugli
EVERYONE ELSE: adj. something physically unattractive
UMICH: n. the one & only 24/7 library on campus where every student lives in during finals szn
The Pit
EVERYONE ELSE: n. a large hole in the ground
UMICH: n. a giant, crowded backyard of like four tailgate houses where everyone ends up at on gamedays
Study Lounge
EVERYONE ELSE: n. a place to study and get homework done
UMICH: n. a club on S University, usually rented out for mixers and such, no cover fee!!!
The Dude
EVERYONE ELSE: n. a really cool guy, something you call a friend
UMICH: n. the Duderstadt Center, a library on North Campus
Squad
EVERYONE ELSE: n. a close group of friends
UMICH: n. South Quad, usually where all the athletes live
Dirty Burs
EVERYONE ELSE: *stares blankly*
UMICH: n. the infamous dorm in the mythical land of North Campus, where all the unlucky freshmen are stuck
Sava’s
EVERYONE ELSE: n. a cute name
UMICH: n. the only place you make your relatives take you for brunch when they visit
Diag
EVERYONE ELSE: adj. diag = diagonal?
UMICH: n. basically the epicenter of campus, where the infamous ‘M’ is located
Little Brother
EVERYONE ELSE: n. a younger, male sibling
UMICH: n. the “other” Big Ten school in Michigan, a.k.a. Michigan State
The Stacks
EVERYONE ELSE: n. stacks of paper
UMICH: n. tiny study rooms in Hatcher Graduate Library