We at the University of Dayton know that our school is pretty much the best, and also incredibly unique. We have a vocabulary filled with words that mean something different to us students (and alumni) than to anyone else in the world. Here are 14 words and phrases that resonate uniquely with the UD community.
1. Bed Sheets
For most people, sheets are pieces of clothes that you sleep in between at night. But at UD, they become part of a time-honored tradition (and competition). Every house tries to come up with the best slogan to hang out front, loud and proud.
2. The Bubble
If you are a UD student, you have definitely heard of the "UD Bubble." To others, bubbles are ways to keep children distracted, but to us it refers to a specific geographic area that is the University and its immediately adjacent bars. Most of us try our best to "break out of the bubble" at some point of our time here.
3. Blend
The Blend to UD students means coffee and a muffin, and a high likelihood of seeing a friend working behind the counter.
4. The Hottest Day of the Year
While to others this phrase might refer to a record-setting day, we know that it will always be Up the Orgs. Every year without fail thousand of students flood the central mall in front of Marycrest to sign up for clubs and to get copious amounts of free stuff. And every year that day is sweltering and sunny, and with the added bonus of thousands of bodies in close proximity, you know it's the hottest day ever.
5. Ghetto
No matter what side of the Ghetto debate you fall on, the word definitely means something specific to UD students and alumni. Instead of an impoverished neighborhood in a city, it conjures up images of houses on Kiefaber and friends on front porches throughout the student neighborhood.
6. Community
At freshman orientation, you learn quickly that "community" is the word that UD likes to use to describe its campus and larger body of students, alumni, faculty, etc. And as you continue throughout your years at UD, you grow to understand the truth of that.
7. Darkside
No, they don't have cookies (well, maybe they do). The Darkside specifically references what the administrations likes to call the "North Student Neighborhood." Because of the lack of street lights back in the day, this neighborhood got the nickname and it has stuck forever. (Note: not to be confused with the "Far side.")
8. Red Scare
While most people think the "Red Scare" is about communism in the '50s, UD students know better. It's the best fan base around.
9. Riot
Or more appropriately "riots." We like to party, and sometimes those parties happen in the middle of the night and include thousands of people filling the streets. It's all in good, celebratory fun.
10. St. Patrick's Day
It's the best day at UD, and those that have never gone to UD don't know how wonderful it can be. Students go all out, starting with "40s at four" (in the morning, for those who don't know), and then going all day in a party that includes your closest 8,000 friends all dressed in green.
11. Crackhouse
It might look like an actual crack house on the outside, and it is actually probably just as gross as one on the inside. While we may be mourning its loss to the University, all current students will fondly remember the Crackhouse for its day drinks and free tang.
12. Walls
No, not the things that hold up a house. They are a magical blue (or red, if you go there) drink at Timothy's Bar and Grill that are never really a good idea, but are always chosen anyway.
13. Daytona
To others, Daytona is simply a beach that is a popular spring break destination for college students. To UD students, Dayton 2 Daytona is a magical time and place where students simply uproot and move 14 hours south to party somewhere new. (See also: "Get me to the pool deck.")
14. Rats
Ah, the Tim's Rats. You're a liar if you try to say that you aren't one. Outsiders mistakenly believe that rats are simply dirty pests that infest basements and subways. But UD students know that a Rat is a harmless Regular At Timothy's who likes to help themselves to a few walls every week.
