1. The song "Pike oyb"
The song "Pike oyb" went viral in 2012 and has been a Cal Poly staple ever since. Students in Greek Life and even students outside of Greek Life learn to rap the words by day three of WOW Week. But only Cal Poly students know what the fraternity-based lyrics actually mean. A "pre-game at Party Bond," "McCollum- where they grade-A roll 'em," and "party up on Bond" all refer to specific houses on specific streets in San Luis Obispo.
2. Putting "oyb" after words
After the song came out, Cal Poly students started using the acronym after every word. A basic Instagram caption such as "pineapples" is all of a sudden made acceptable by putting oyb after it. Because "pineapples oyb" is just so much more informative that simply "pineapples." And so apparently adding three simple letters to any word makes it that much cooler.
3. Using the slogan "Learn by Doing" to justify your actions
Students use the phrase often but probably not in the way administration hoped they would. I find that this phrase is often used to justify the stupid things we college students do.
For example, "oh, you've never done a sidewalk slammer before? Okay, well, learn by doing." Because the after-affects of aggressively drinking a 4 Loko and a 40 is something everyone needs to experience for themselves. And so "Cal Poly's Signature Approach to Higher Education: Learn by Doing" becomes an excuse for every action.
4. Party 25-35 Hours a Week
Administration tries to initiate students into the concept of "studying 25-35 hours a week" by handing out yellow stickers and flyers with the above phrase printed on them. Students react by crossing out the word "study" and writing "party." The new phrase "party 25-35 hours a week" then became the new motto, a popular Instagram caption and a slap in the administration's face.
5. Bull Sweats
The Bull Sweat is a right of passage for those bar-crawling through San Luis Obispo. And only Cal Poly students know that a Bull Sweat isn't referring to a bull's perspiration, but rather that is a combination of rum, Wild Turkey 101, pineapple juice, pepper, tabasco sauce and Worcestershire Sauce. So, on your 21st birthday you'll parade through downtown in heels and a tight dress with a sign hung from your neck and stop at Bull's Tavern for SLO's most infamous drink.
6. That sticking your tongue too close to the wall on bubble gum alley is not socially acceptable
For some reason tourists always want to stick their tongues out and pretend to lick the age-old bubblegum plastered along the walls of Bubblegum Alley. However, there is such a thing as "too close for comfort" when it comes to these pictures. SLO locals know not to get too close to the wall because the entire alley reeks for good reason...
7. The importance of Campus Bottle
The iconic liquor store is so much more than just another liquor store that won't accept your fake I.D. It's the place where the buses come to take you to your exchanges, date parties, and formals. The logo painted on the side of the wall also ends up being the backdrop for the pictures to such events and often, the backdrop to graduation pictures featuring popped champagne bottles.
8. The terms "slocals" and "slomies"
We use the term "slocal" to refer to anyone who is a SLO native. And the term "slomie" refers to anyone you've met during your time at Cal Poly. These two words appear often in Instagram captions.
9. VGs
But in SLO we call it "the vag." It's the only on-campus food place open past 12 am Monday-Friday, so in turn Thursday and Friday nights "pop-off" at the the vag; there's always a freshman-only after party. Only the luckiest upperclassmen get to come back for a free meal paid for by the generous freshman girl with too many plus dollars.
10. Slo-do-co
The best thing to ever happen to San Luis Obispo was the creation of SLO Donut Company. Its upcoming expansion is the second best thing to ever happen to us slocals. Its nutella-filled and cereal-topped, pink-frosted donuts help make the freshman fifteen a thing. Boxes filled with colorful donuts have made pretty much every basic bitch's Instagram.
