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Durham Dictionary

Durham has quite a few abbreviations, words, and phrases you might not know!

Check out some helpful definitions here.

BAILEY:

The peninsula where the Cathedral, Castle & Bailey Colleges are located, around which loops the River Wear.

BILLY B:

Bill Bryson Library located on the Science Site.

 

BOWING OUT:

When an Exec person bows to the Principal on the high table, marking the end of a formal.


CASTLE CRIER:

The weekly email from College Office

CCA:

Castle Community Action, a volunteering committee & charity within Castle that supports the local community.

CCB:

Castle Charity Ball.


CIS:

Durham University’s Computing and Information Services.

COLLEGE COLOURS:

Awarded to Castle MCR Members who provide outstanding contribution to the MCR and the college.

DSU:

The Durham Students’ Union.

DURHAMIFICATION:

A Durham student enjoying peak British weather and feeling extra(h) in the beautiful surroundings of the city of Durham. The term is inspired from the song 'Californication' from the band Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Example Sentence: 

"I like going to flat white. But every time I go there's a long queue and I have to queue outside under the rain"

 

"that's the dream of durhamification innit."

DUNELM:

Abbreviation for the Latin name for Durham - when you graduate you can use it as a post-nominal abbreviation to indicate that you studied at Durham University.

EASTER:

The 3rd academic term in Durham.


ENT(S):

Entertainment at a University event or a College party, usually themed for a special occasion, such as Halloween.

EPIPHANY:

The 2nd academic term.

EXEC:

Abbreviation for Executive Committee. All common rooms and societies have them in Durham.


FLOREAT CASTELLUM:

Mentioned in the College’s song, this translates as ‘let the Castle flourish’.

FORMAL:

Three-course dinners where formal attire is worn and gowns are mandatory in Castle.

FORMATIVE:

An academic assignment to be completed but does not count towards your final degree mark.


FRESHER:

1st-year undergraduates or new postgraduates.

 

GOWN:

Black academic robe. You must wear these to formals and Matriculation.

HILL:

Refers to the Hill Colleges and buildings located near the Science Site and up South Road in Durham.

JCR:

Junior Common Room, the student body of undergraduates.


MATRICULATION:

A gowned ceremony during Induction where students are ceremonially inducted to the University.

 

MICHAELMAS:

The 1st academic term of the year.

NON NOBIS SOLUM:

The Latin motto for University College, translating to: ‘Not for ourselves alone.’ Derived from Cicero’sphilosophical work De Officiis.

PALATINATE:

A descriptor for various things in Durham. Currently it is the name of the student newspaper, and the shade of purple used by the university.

PORTER:

Responsible for the daily maintenance of the college and have the keys for many of the rooms. Get to learn their names and become friendly with them!


SCR:

The Senior Common Room. This refers both to the senior members of college - staff and lecturers - and to the room itself which is located off the Tunstall Gallery.

SENIOR STUDENT:

The head of the JCR is the Senior Student. It is an equivalent role to the MCR President.

SRC:

Student Representative Committee’ similar to a JCR and based in Hild Bede.


STANDING ORDERS (SO):

These are the rules by which the MCR operates. They can be found on the MCR website.

 

STASH:

Merchandise/souvenirs of your time in Durham, Castle, or the MCR.

SMENERGY:

 Our college drink, order in Undercroft bar!

 

SUMMATIVE:

Academic work that must be completed and counts towards your final degree marks.

UNDIE:

The Undercroft Bar, our college bar. It is located below the Great Hall of the Castle.

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