When coming to Oxford to study for the first time, everyone is met with that jargon of abbreviations and odd terms (and even completely ordinary concepts that are still unintelligible) which makes life more complicated than necessary, until you become acquainted with the local slang. To alleviate some of this, and because we think it's a neat way of presenting a whole bag of facts without linking them, here's a small A-Z of Oxford slang that could be relevant to MCR members.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
A top	ABC Oxford's biggest cinema, showing the most popular (mainstream) films just around the corner from St Peter's. For an alternative, try the Phoenix on Walton street
B top	Barbeque In the MCR there are two traditional BBQs: One nice and behaved with the St Peter's Society just after the end of Trinity term, and one more frivolous and light-spirited at St Margaret's Road. Playing ball during a BBQ in St Margaret's Road. Bar The College bar is situated next to the JCR, in the Matthews building. Can be a nice place to go either before or after the Inner sanctum has been emptied. Battels College bill. This appears in your pigeon-hole sooner and more often than you'd like it to, and asks for payment by 5th week of rent, meal charges, tuition fees (for those of us who have to worry about that) and other sundry charges the College sees fit to levy on us. Besse One of the old staircases at St Peter's, named after Antonin Besse, whose statue is in its entrance hall, and who probably paid for the staircase to be raised. More importantly, this is where the MCR had its first rooms (approximately where the bursary is now). The most important people living in Besse nowadays are the chaplain and the dean. Black tie Refers to a type of clothing, and the type of dinner where you wear such clothing. Black tie is about the most formal wear you'll be asked to bring to Oxford, and requires for men: a dinner jacket (tuxedo for Americans) or black suit and a black bow tie. If you're foreign to this concept, do not make the mistake of assuming that you can bring an ordinary tie, as I did :-). Women dress up as nicely as they can, often in evening dresses. Blackwell's Oxford's academic booksellers situated opposite the Sheldonian. This is where you'll go for most of the books for your course, cause it's huge, and stores masses of books you never knew existed, and because they've got a nice second-hand section at the top and a coffee shop on the first floor. See also: Blackwell's home page. Blues Any sports team that's university-wide, really. Mostly for really dedicated people who make it past their College teams. Why blues? Oh, dark blue is the Oxford colour. Bikes, bicycles Extremely useful to have in Oxford, as the city is flat and small enough so that you'd think it was purpose-built for cyclists. (Maybe, if you're from Holland you'll think it's a bit hilly.) If you can't bring one, then consider buying one, either new or second-hand. Bodleian library (Bodley, The Bod) Oxford's University and main research library. Houses most books printed in Britain during the past four or five hundred years (it's a copyright library), and quite a number of others as well. You have to sign an old oath before you are admitted as a reader to the effect that you will not light a fire in the library, and books can only be read on site. But the buildings are beautiful, so if you're fond of architecture you'll get really distracted reading there. See also: Bod card, Radcliffe Camera, The Sheldonian. Bod card Name used by most students about the Reader's card for the Bodleian library, which must be displayed on entering the library. Doubles as your university card and student id. Bops This is the local term for a party. The JCR has more of them, and theirs may be sweatier, but are still incomparable to the MCR bops, generally held at least three times a term, for the beginning and end of term as well as after Guest Night. Brunch Some say this is the best meal of the week, and they may be right. Sundays brunch replaces breakfast and lunch in Hall, and it might just be the Sunday atmosphere that creates a special atmosphere. If you're a bit stressed, brunch followed (or preceded) by a healthy walk in the meadows are doctor's orders. Bulwarks lane Narrow and murky lane running behind St Peter's. Bursar Head of College administration and financial matters, the bursar is still quite a nice bloke, really. Bursary 1. Not to be confused with the Bursar's office, this is where you go to hand in/collect cheques, ask questions about your battels or other financial details. 2. Wish the College had a few more of these, or that there were more available for students in your subject area? That ususally being the case, bursaries are grants and stipends offered by the University and most Colleges to students.
C top	Cafetière The most prominent piece of modern architecture in the College, this staircase in the New Building gives immediate connotations to a certain kitchen utensil. Carfax Oxford's central crossroads and also the highest point in the city centre. As a graduate student you are required to 'reside' within 25 miles of Carfax (quite an allowance really, as undergraduates have to reside no further away than 6 miles). Canal house A classical building with a stylish facade behind the College which actually belongs to St Peter's. Some tutors have rooms here, but most prominently it is the residence of the Master. Like the Linton house it was originally built by the Oxford Canal Company. Chavasse The building facing the Middle Common Room in St Peter's. Used to be the main building of the Oxford Central Girls' School, but now bears the name of one of the College benefactors. Contains the Theberge, Miles and Davis rooms. Cherwell 1. River winding through Oxfordshire until it meets and adds to the Isis down at the boat houses. Forms the natural eastern boundary of the city centre. 2. Independent student newspaper. Published weekly and delivered to the Porter's lodge or the JCR. Competes with the Oxford Student. Chocolate cupboard Centrally located in the MCR TV room this treasury contains your everyday necessities such as Snickers, Kitkat and Bounty, and are signed out by members at the bargain price of 30p a piece. (Prices correct at time of going to press.) Committee That band of brave people (five in number) who were foolhardy enough to take on the responsibility for running the MCR. Always relying on input from their beloved fellow graduates, they live and die for the welfare of the members. Computer room One of the most central MCR-only facilities, stocked with six PCs, a printer, scanner and a photocopying machine. Printing and copying is free of charge for members, a favourite feature for many. Next door is the JCR computer room. Collections Mock exams the undergraduates have to worry about at the start of each term to prove they have been good boys and girls revising. Graduates don't need them, cause most of us spend the large chunks of the vacations in Oxford anyway. See also: Master's Collections
D top	Dean Officially the Junior Dean, but not all that junior compared to the rest of us, as she/he is the College's own police and prosecution service, making sure that we don't break any rules, and that if we do, proper action is taken. The Dean is also part of the College welfare team, and is usually a DPhil student or Post-doc. researcher. Degree If you're lucky (or good) you may get this by the time you leave Oxford. Remember that Oxford's PhD is called DPhil, and that the MA degree is what undergraduates get automatically four years after graduation! Degree days Days when graduation ceremonies are held. Graduation ceremonies take place in the Sheldonian, and you will almost certainly have to travel to Oxford several months after you've left if you want to experience this show. Distinction Postgraduate degrees in Oxford generally don't have classes or marks, you either pass or you fail. (Quite comfortable for most of us, really). But then there is a distinction to be had if you are really top of your class. Only for the very studious.
E top	Eights Big inter-collegiate boat race (with 'eights' boats, hence the name) in Trinity term. EMOS key Every member of St Peter's gets one of these. It's practically essential for your survival here, as it opens doors to rooms such as the library and the computer rooms, lets you in to College at night and stores money to be used in the bar and in Hall. Since most of them are orange, that's what we call it, the Orange key. Encaenia The University's official end-of-year party and honorary degrees ceremony. Turn up in the Broad Street together with all the tourists to see all the longest and flashiest gowns in Oxford parading to the Sheldonian some time in June.
F top	Fellows The most senior teachers in College are fellows. They sit on Governing body and are members of the SCR. Fixed meal charge This is the marvellous catering scheme in operation at St Peter's, giving you every meal in Hall for an entire term (8 weeks) for bargain prices. Beats anything you can find elsewhere. Formal hall Contrasts with informal hall, and is dinner the old-fashioned and Oxford way. Three days a week you can have formal dinner in Hall, served at candle-lit tables, gowns worn, and with wine and guests on Thursdays. Sign up for formal hall about a day in advance in the MCR.
G top	George Street 1. The most lively/rowdy street in Oxford on a Friday night. This is where all the townies and the undergrads go out for a brawling night out. Just around the corner from St Peter's. 2. Also a St Peter's property on the aforementioned street where you may be accomodated in your first year as a graduate. Going down Leaving Oxford, either permanently or just for a break. See also: Send down. Going up, coming up Arriving at, alternatively returning to Oxford. Governing body The College's Governing body, where decisions are made by all the fellows. The MCR President and Vice-President have observer status, but may not vote. Gown Something you will definitely need in Oxford. Worn at ceremonies (along with sub fusc), at formal hall, Master's collections and exams. Graduate 1. v. Undergraduates graduate when they pass their final exams and become graduates of Oxford University. 2. n. A graduate is thus both a person who has graduated from with a first degree from any university, and someone who's here now to read for a post-graduate one. Guest Night This is the MCR's termly black tie dinner in Hall, with a fabulous party in the MCR afterwards. Always held on Friday of 5th week. Guest table This is a weekly affair at formal hall. The MCR gets a separate table for itself and its guests. Gym There are two gyms that Peter's people can use: a college gym behind the JCR, and a University gym on Iffley road, south-east of the city centre.
H top	Hall College dining hall, in the Hannington building. Hannington The oldest building in College, on the site of New Inn Hall, a mediaeval hall often reckoned to be the predecessors of St Peter's. Hannington hall houses both the College kitchen, Dining hall and the Senior Common Room High table In hall, the table standing on an elevation at the top of the room. This is where the SCR members dine, and, on Tuesdays, where graduates are invited to dine with the SCR, preceded by drinks in the SCR. Hilary Winter term.
I top	Inner sanctum Hidden away in the MCR kitchen, this is where you can get your alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments for the MCR, apart from coffee and tea. Take part in the termly competition to have the most ticks in the inner sanctum ledger. Isis The Thames runs through Oxford, and for some reason (do we need one?) that particular stretch of the river is called Isis. How an Egyptian godess came to name an English river must be a good topic for a DPhil in local history. The Isis is the place college eights row endlessly up and down in preparation for the two annual regattas (torpids and eights).
J top	JCR (Junior Common Room) Corresponding to the Middle Common Room for graduates, this is the undergraduate common room. The room itself is large and spacious, and has both games, sofas and a large TV. Next to the bar. Graduates are also members of the JCR.
K top	Kitchen The MCR's own kitchen, where you can make your own tea or coffee, do some light cooking or roam the inner sanctum.
L top	Latner Another building in College named after some benefactor. Contains the Latner seminar room, the College table tennis table, and is generally regarded as quite ugly (although it isn't really!). But it is modern. Law centre St Peter's houses the Oxford Centre for Intellectual Property Law, which attracts law students from all over the world to study trade marks, copyright law etc. In the old probate house, next to Canal House is the College Law Centre, housing the IP Centre and a library especially for Law students. The front quad with the Latner building and the Linton house. Linton Linton House is the College main building, and like Canal House it was built by the Oxford Canal Company. It has been accused of looking like a hotel lodge, but has quite an attractive georgian limestone facade. Today it houses e.g. the Library, the MCR Computer room and the Porter's lodge. Long vacation This is the period of summer between Trinity and Michalmas terms when undergraduates go away on vacation, whilst graduates stay in Oxford to continue sweating over books and reports throughout the summer. Maybe that is why it is called long?
M top	Master Other colleges have presidents, provosts, wardens and even deans, but the head of St Peter's is the Master. Masters are elected for 10-year terms of office, and have various managerial functions (but leave most day-to-day administrative matters to the permanently employed bursar. Master's Collections Every term the Master arranges to meet every undergraduate to discuss their progress with tutors present, and at regular intervals graduates are requested to do so as well. Does not involve any rigorous academic examination, but rather gives the Master a chance to talk to all students in College, and thus keep better in touch with those he is supposed to head. Matriculation Sounds like a medical procedure, but is only the University's invocation ceremony in the Sheldonian, at which sub fusc must be worn and all new students are admitted officially by the vice-chancellor reading out a Latin formula to that effect. Great event if the weather is nice, but watch out for the waiting afterwards when the matriculation photo is to be taken: Matthews The block containing the JCR and the bar, along with study bedrooms for undergraduates. Morris A now vintage car make. The factories were located in Oxford's Cowley district, and the owner, William Morris (later Lord Nuffield) donated huge sums of money to the city and the University. He established Nuffield College, just down the road from St Peter's, and also contributed substantial funding for St Peter's in its early years. S/C IV was built with Morris' money, and is consequently named the Morris building. MCR lectures Every term the MCR hosts a series of lectures given mostly by Oxford academics or graduate students. For more information, see the social schedule. Michaelmas See: term. Mortar board Funny hat that must be worn with sub fusc clothing ('may' for women). The flat square top makes it look like a mason's tool, hence the name. Music room The College music room is located in the Pastry School, directly above the MCR. Here is a grand piano, some percussion equipment and lots of space to practise on for students who wish to pursue music in their spare time.
N top	New Inn Hall Street The street on which St Peter's College is located. Post code: OX1 2DL. Named after New Inn Hall, the mediaeval college-like institution that used to occupy our land. Nuffield See: Morris
O top	Orange key See: EMOS key. Oscar Night Traditional MCR party towards the end of Hilary term when everyone dresses up as a film star or movie character and the supreme stars in various apt categories receive the prestigious MCR Oscar awards. Other place, the Term used to refer to England's next oldest university, without having to use its name. The rivalry between these two giants in British education gives rise much humour, but also more serious competitions like the Varsity sports events. See also (if you really need to): the other page. OUSU Oxford University Student Union. Main coordinating student representative body. Publishes several guides to life in Oxford, and tris to improve life for students by offering various other services, like a cheap stationery shop and a night-time bus service for women. Oxford Student Student newspaper published by OUSU. One issue a week. Main competitor: The Cherwell.
P top	Pastry School The building housing the MCR, which previously used to belong to the Central Girls' School (now Chavasse). Nicely tucked away in a corner of the College, with a very tall first floor, used as a music room by the St Peter's. Phoenix The off-mainstream cinema in Oxford, on Walton Street. Check out what's on their programme if you are less inclined to go along with Hollywood's unprovocative mainstream tendencies than the other cinemas would like you to. Pigeon-post Every member of Oxford University has a pigeon-hole somewhere, in College (and also most likely in your Department if you are a graduate) where you will receive mail from all over the University. The Pigeon-post is the University internal mail service, and couriers on University blue bikes deliver mail two or three times a day. Pimms Summery liquid that goes particularly well with strawberries and sunshine. A tradition peculiar to Trinity term punting. Porter Every College and most University buildings will have one or more porters manning the Porter's Lodge, somewhere close to the main entrance. Porters take care of public enquiries, act as College switchboards, distribute mail, help students and teachers with practical tasks or with finding the right person to ask. Proctors The Proctors are University officials which make sure that the University regulations are followed. In the past they used to prowl the streets looking for students who spent their time in pubs and ale-houses rather than studying (such houses were out of bounds for students then), but now their tasks are more mundane. The Proctor's Court still exists, however, as the University disciplinary panel, and so does the University police force, consisting of bowler-hatted men and women guarding University ceremonies from over-enthusiastic spectators. Punting A favourite summer activity of students in Oxford. Involves getting wet, as a punt is a flat-bottomed narrow boat that you manouvre (more or less successfully) around using a long pole, approximately like Venetian gondolieri. Lots of fun, especially with sunshine and strawberries.
Q top	Quad Quadrangles are found in almost all Oxford colleges, and are small squares in between college halls and chapels. Usually green open spaces that can't be used for anything but walking around.
R top	Rad cam Short for: Radcliffe Camera. Radcliffe . . . ,John. 18th-century benefactor of Oxford and the University. Donated huge sums of money for medicine and education purposes, and thus has several important institutions named after him. Another one of his kind was Lord Nuffield. Camera. One of the reading rooms of the Bodleian. Being a large and extremely prominent dome-roofed building in the middle of the town centre, you are likely to have to squeeze your way through groups of tourists to get in. Infirmary. Hospital just north of the city centre. Science Library (RSL). Main library for the scientists. Richard Head Quasi-mythological figure and famous alumnus of New Inn Hall, the predecessor to St Peter's College. The MCR hosts an annual lecture in his honour in Trinity term, attracting national attention. Rugby By Scottish request, we also need to mention the fact that the MCR has a powerful rugby contingent, soon to win the Rugby Cuppers for the College. Rustication A bit similar to being sent down. If you misbehave (academically or otherwise), the College or the University may ask you to go home for a while and come back after you have learnt your lesson.
S top	S/C See Staircase. SCR (Senior Common Room) The common room for all the fellows and teachers in College. Every Tuesday MCR members my dine with the SCR at High Table. Click here for an elaboration on what the institution of Common Rooms constitutes. Scout Formerly college servants, but today (at least at St Peter's) mainly cleaning staff who will come around every day to clean your room (if you live in College). Usually perceived as an intrusion graduates prefer to do without. Besides, most of us do know how to handle a vacuum cleaner. Send down This is what the College (or University) will do to you if you have been really bad, or really lazy. It means you can't come back; being expelled in ordinary English. See also: Rustication, Going down Sheldonian theatre The University theatre, a sizable hall used for concerts and University ceremonies (like matriculation, encaenia and graduation). Not everyone knows that this was the first work of architecture by Sir Christopher Wren who designed St Paul's Cathedral in London after the 1666 fire there. He was originally an astronomer who decided to enter the competition for the best University hall, and won with this baroque semi-cirular edifice. Impressive ceiling! St Margaret's Road 1. Road in north Oxford. 2. House in said road housing fifteen merry graduates of St Peter's. Venue of the annual St Margaret's Road BBQ in Trinity term. St Peter-le-bailey The former parish church that was purchased by the College in the 1970s and is now the College chapel. Also in the formal name of the College: 'The Master, Fellows and Scholars of St Peter-le-Bailey in the University of Oxford'. Bailey refers to parts of the old city walls, which used to pass through the College grounds. St Peter-in-the-east Nothing to do with u. This is also an old church (cf. previous entry), but is now the library of St Edmund's (Teddy) Hall. St Peter's Society Old members' society whose most important role (for present students) is to help provide funds for various development projects in College. Recently donated money to buy an awning outside the MCR and new lockers for MCR members. Staircase Oxford colleges started their tradition before the corridor was invented, and so every room had to be on a staircase, and every house needed lots of staircases to allow people to reach all the rooms. The tradition is still alive (of course), and even St Peter's, a fairly young college (founded 1929) has staircases: S/C I, II, III and IV, plus Besse S/C. Sub fusc White blouse/shirt, black skirt/suit, socks and shoes, a black tie (for women) or a white bow tie (for men), plus your gown and mortar board. This is the academic clothing required for a list of formal ceremonies in the University, most important of which are matriculation, your exams and graduation day. Luckily, you don't feel half as silly when everyone else is walking around wearing the same. Sub fusc isn't easy. Supervisor Your academic supervisor will hopefully be the person in the University who knows most about what you will be writing about, and maybe even an internationally renowned scholar.
T top	Tab We could use some more abusive term, but this is the general word for a student from the Other Place. Derives from Cantabrigiensis, Latin for Cambridge. Term Oxford has three terms, all ridiculously short, lasting only 8 weeks. That can turn out to be a blessing for graduates, however, who often find that working in term-time, with academic and social events flourishing is nearly impossible. Since this is Oxford each term needs a special name that noone else can understand: Michaelmas for the autumn term, Hilary for the winter term, and Trinity for the spring/summer term. (For more technical details, click here Thames See: Isis TGM Termly General Meeting. Most societies will hassle you to attend these at least once a term, but the truly exciting ones are held in the Middle Common Room, and are the formal events where the Committee present issues and will hear issues raised by the other members. Tidmarsh lane Graduate house in lane similarly named next to the Oxford castle mound. Used to be owned by H.M. Prison Service, and residents are still captured by its intimacy and central location. Town and gown Refers to Oxford city and Oxford University. Might as well have been called town vs. gown, as the differences often tend to be emphasised more than the similarities, and the relationship between 'townies' and students can be less than amicable. Transfer This is something DPhil students dread their entire first year, a test which decides whether they can transfer from PRS to DPhil status. Intended to keep graduates off the streets and to give their work the sometimes ever so necessary push. Trinity See: term. Tutor Mainly undergraduates have tutors, who are College teachers who supervise and guide their students through their courses. The tutor will expect to meet his students once a week to give tuition individually or in small groups, and will also expect to receive a piece of written work for each tutorial. Maybe one of the most remarkable aspects of an Oxford education. Graduates will have College advisors assigned instead, who are supposed to give pastoral support to their advisees. This usually involves a small chat now and then. Tutor for Graduates This is the fellow that is responsible for keeping an eye out for the graduates and their interests in College, and usually works closely with the MCR President. TV Room Every Sunday night the venue of MCR film evenings. The TV room is located adjacent to the main MCR, and has a good TV and VCR that can be booked by everyone to watch their favourite programmes. Some of the MCR lockers can also be found in here.
U top	Univ Not short for the University. Univ refers to University College, so make sure not to mix the two up. University card See: Bod card
V top	Varsity Anything that's 'varsity' somehow has to do with Oxford-Cambridge relations, either sports-wise or otherwise. A varsity game is a game played between the dark blue (us) and the light blue (them) teams, like for instance the annual rugby varsity match at Twickenham in London right before Christmas. Viva Or viva voce, as its full name goes. Latin for 'with a live voice', this means oral exam in Oxonian, and is something all DPhil students, and quite a number of other graduates will have to go through to get their desired degree. Vice-chancellor The Chancellor is the head of Oxford University, but this man, the Vice-Chancellor, is the guy who's making the desicions. He used to be elected amongst the heads of the colleges, but now is appointed for 7-year terms of office.
W top	Walton Street Don't miss this, even though it's not in the dead centre of Oxford. Walton street boasts some very nice places to have a drink, meal or good time out, and is quite a favourite with many students. Might be partly because it's next to the some-time working class district of Jericho, now filled with students and famous for its exceptionally high frequency of pubs. Wellington square Cute nineteenth-century square a bit north of the College which would have been very beautiful if it hadn't been for the colossal, grey concrete 60s buildings containing the University's offices and University graduate accomodation.

(Glossary compiled by A.H. Teig, January 2001.)