Georgetown Independent

Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: Commentary

Media Credit: blog.camera.org

I was once talking about Georgetown to a group of my friends from home and they stopped me mid-sentence; apparently I had become "frustrating to talk to" because of all the Georgetown lingo I was using. "What's with you Georgetown people and all your abbreev-ing?" They mocked. "It's like you're speaking another language!" I could tell they were just feeling bad that they couldn't keep up. We at the Indy sympathize with you green Hoyas, and thus have compiled a cheat sheet of HoyaSpeak. It is sort of like the "helpful phrases" section in the back of a travel book, helping you avoid at least a few awkward moments:

NSO - New Student Orientation, where you'll meet your greatest friends, envy the Hoya spirit of your OA (orientation advisor), and begin to know how long it's been since last we met.

GUGS - Georgetown University Grilling Society: even after waiting in the hot sun for an hour, their burgers are so worth it.

Leo's - Our own dining hall, where you will brunch for at least 3 hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Wisey's - Formally called Wisemiller's Deli and located across from the Walsh building on 36th Street, home to the Chicken Madness and cookies that are better than your mom's.

Booey's - Booeymonger's, a sandwich shoppe/pitcher provider on the corner of Prospect and Potomac where you will enjoy many a pregame.

Philly's - Philadelphia Pizza Co, a nook on 34th Street that serves massive $3 slices until 4 AM. Warning: you may have a deep conversation with "that random kid from your Spanish class", and you will develop a deep affinity for ranch dressing on your pizza.

GUSA - Georgetown University Student Association, "the elected voice of the student body. They are now officially called "the Student Association," but the term GUSA still dominates common parlance. Over the past few years they have headlined movements such as security improvements, Grab n Go, and expanding GUTS Bus services.

Lau - Lauinger, the main library on campus. Six floors, including a theological library on the bottom-most floor, a media center on the first floor, and Lau 2, the place where you go to study and 3 hours later find that you've not yet opened your books, but have somehow gathered some juicy weekend gossip.

GUTS - Georgetown University Transportation Service, the free bus service, with service to area metro stops, Wisconsin Ave, Arlington, VA and the Law Center. Note that the buses often make two on-campus stops, saving LXR residents from trans-campus sprints.

GERMS - Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service, which handles everything from broken arms to alcohol poisoning. Staffed by students, you may be surprised to find your Econ TA wrapping your ankle. But don't worry, everything is confidential and free... and unfortunately, somewhat of a rite of passage.

The Corp - Our own student-run business, providing Hoyas with two grocery-style shops, three coffee shops and other seasonal services (including bus rides to the airport before Easter and Thanksgiving breaks, as well as storage at the close of the semester).

McCarthy is an assistant editor and an English junior.

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