If you are or have ever been a BGSU student, you know that our university is unique (and wonderful) and with that comes a unique (and wonderful) vocabulary. Here are 16 words or phrases that mean something a little different to BGSU students.
1. Cold
You have not truly known the cold until you’ve lived in Bowling Green. It is fierce and unforgiving. Even your warmest coat won’t be enough. Just keep your head down and hope that you don’t run into anything/anyone.
2. TSUN
Nope, it's not Michigan. Up here, "The School Up North" means the University of Toledo, aka the enemy.
3. “To the left”
No, it's not a lyric from a popular Beyonce song. BGSU students know this phrase all too well from the warning: “don’t walk to the left of the seal.” If you do, just know that you’ll fail your next exam and get some seriously crazy looks from other students.
4. Squirrels
Regardless of if you love them or hate them, the squirrels on campus are a different breed. That may not be literally a new breed, but they’re fat, happy, and fearless. Plus, we even have an albino squirrel. We're so lucky!
5. Legal Joint
No, marijuana isn’t legal for the students of BGSU, but you can get a pretty delicious drink at Brathaus with the same deceptive title.
6. DM
I’m not talking about direct messaging, I'm talking about Dance Marathon. BGSU students take Dance Marathon very seriously and their hard work pays off! Just last year, participants raised $341,479.34 for the kids!
7. Metamorphosis
If you think that I’m talking about the biological process, you’re wrong. BGSU has a statue dedicated to this process, but us students see it for what it truly looks like: a female reproductive organ (sorry mom).
8. Snow Days
This is not like high school. When BGSU students get a snow day, it is something to be cherished as it very rarely happens. Whether it’s spent inside binge watching Netflix or playing in the snow, it’s a win-win.
9. Bible Bob
He sounds like your friendly neighbor, right? That's not exactly it. If BGSU students are (not-so) lucky, they get to walk to class with Bible Bob preaching his message of hatred for all to hear.
10. Drunk Food
Sure, there are lots of options for late-night munchies, but to BGSU students there’s one clear winner: Taco Bell.
11. Laffy Taffy
Who doesn’t love this fruity treat? BGSU’s spirit group Sic Sic hands (or throws) these out at various on-campus events and you kind of feel like a rock star when you get some.
12. Small DQ Blizzard
To be honest, this phrase doesn’t really exist in a BGSU student’s vocabulary. Sure, it’s on the menu, but when you order a small at Myle’s DQ, you know that you’re going to receive an extra heaping of ice cream on top.
13. Wind
I'm not sure who nicknamed Chicago the "Windy City," but they've got some competition. The wind in BG is fierce. Next time you non-BGers think that it’s windy, just imagine it five times worse and then multiply that by ten. Imagine that you’re also in a wind tunnel. This is not an exaggeration.
14. The Rock
Nope, it's not Dwayne Johnson. The Rock on campus has been painted for years to represent various organizations/events on campus. The week that we play TSUN, The Rock is fiercely guarded to make sure that it isn’t tainted with that atrocious yellow and blue. Also, I’m pretty sure that The Rock started out as a pebble and has grown with layers of paint, but who knows for certain?
15. Parking Services
Parking on campus is cut-throat and parking services is there to keep it that way. Do you need to run back into your dorm to grab something? Have a ticket. Are you parked in a lot five minutes before it’s a free-for-all? Have a ticket. Are you parking to help the elderly across the road? Have yet another ticket.
16. Bowling Green State University
To some it's just a four-year university, but to us it's home. Once a falcon, always a falcon.
