The Freshman Dictionary: G - M

Garden Theatre, Princeton, n. Community theater, shows mostly artsy films as well as a few big-budget flicks. Good first date. Free movies for students on weekends.

grade deflation, n. University policy to limit A’s in courses to 35 percent of grades per department. Extremely controversial and a source of many a dining hall debate.

graduate student, n. An individual smart enough to translate Kierkegaard into 14 languages but mostly isolated from campus life since many are forced to live close to a mile from central campus. Often characterized as “sketchy.” Likely is.

Honor Code, n. Institution through which University exams are policed. Students sign pledges agreeing not to cheat on exams and to turn in those who do. Taken very seriously. See “Committee on Discipline.”

hose, v. To render helpless. Most often done to rejected Bicker prospects, who are hosed at their doorstep. Fraternities, a capella groups and even the ‘Prince’ hose.

Houseparties, n. Pseudo-bacchanal scheduled for the weekend after the end of spring semester classes. Theses are complete and exams are two weeks distant. The only ones who have it bad are juniors finishing (starting) their JPs and freshman males, who aren’t invited.

ICC, abbrev. Interclub Council. Group made up of the 11 eating club presidents. Coordinates relations between Prospect Avenue, the Borough and the University.

ICE, abbrev. Integrated Course Engine. An online tool that presents your class schedule for the semester visually. You can also friend request people on the site and stalk their schedules.

independent, n. Upperclass student who joins neither a club nor a University dining facility. By graduation, is either a great connoisseur of Princeton’s restaurants, a great cook or a great mooch. Many live in Spelman Halls.

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Intersession, n. 1. Week off between fall finals and the start of spring semester. The only week of true freedom you will ever have at Princeton. 2. Jolt of fear for seniors who haven’t started their thesis research.

junior slums, n. Upperclass dorms located up-campus; Princeton’s version of slums. Don’t be fooled by the Gothic stone.

kiddie lit, nickname. ENG 385: Children’s Literature. Perennially over-enrolled course that people think will be an easy LA. But beware — it’s quite large and grades are heavily deflated.

late meal, n. The only thing that makes upperclassmen jealous of freshmen. Theoretically, an option for students who miss dining hall meal times. In practice, free noms and mixers. See “Frist.”

Lawnparties, n. Afternoon drink-a-thon and dance-a-thon on the lawn of each eating club, held in early fall and at the end of spring Houseparties. Known for importing great bands and recruiting girls in sun dresses to Prospect Avenue. Time of year to wear your preppiest clothing — small animal print and pastels encouraged.

lectures, n. pl. Oft-missed speeches by professors that constitute the foundation of the Princeton education. Try and go to a couple so you can tell your parents that you are making the most of their tuition dollars.

master, n. Faculty member who acts as den mother or father for the freshmen and sophomores in the residential colleges.

McCosh Health Center, n. Isabella McCosh Infirmary, located just south of Frist. You go here when you’re too drunk to go to your room but not drunk enough for the hospital. Areas of expertise: mono and asking women if they’re pregnant.

McCosh Walk, n. Walkway extending from University Place on the west to Washington Road on the east. If there weren’t hills, you’d be able to see clear from one end of campus to the other. Features many puddles. See “Dean’s Date.”

Click here for dictionary entries N - S.