Cambridge Glossary

We have put together a glossary of words used at Cambridge, to help you get a head start with understanding the commonly used terms and phrases during your time here.

• Buttery/ Hall/ Caff/ Servery: The college cafeteria where students can get meals. 

• Formal Hall: A formal dinner event held in the college dining hall where students wear academic gowns and generally enjoy a three-course meal, also used for other special occasions.

• Superhall: A themed dinner event, less formal than Formal Hall, where students can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with a specific dress code. A special dinner which varies between colleges and could include fancy outfits.

• High Table: A formal dining area in Cambridge colleges reserved for Fellows, senior members, and their guests.

• Gyp Room: A small kitchen in college accommodations, typically used for preparing snacks or small meals. Mostly common for undergraduate spaces.

• MCR (Middle Combination Room): Refers to the common room and the community of postgraduate students at College. It also represents the committee that manages postgraduate student activities.

• JCR (Junior Combination Room): Refers to the undergraduate common room and community.

• SCR (Senior Combination Room): Refers to the common room and the community of Fellows.

• CR (Combination Room): A few colleges don't separate their undergraduates and postgraduates into distinct JCR and MCR groups. Instead, all students are part of the CR, a unified community that includes a shared social space.

• Punts: Flat-bottomed boats that students can ride for leisure trips along the River Cam, some colleges rent their own punts to students.

• Bumps: Refers to a unique style of rowing race that takes place on the River Cam, particularly during events like the Lent Bumps and the May Bumps. The boats start in a single file and the objective is for each crew to catch up to and "bump" the boat in front of them without being bumped by the boat behind.

• Matriculation: Matriculation is the formal process of enrolling at the University of Cambridge. Generally, it involves a ceremony before the course starts. 

• Tutors: Students are allocated with college tutors and the role of the tutor is pastoral and administrative rather than teaching. 

• Fellows: Fellows are senior academics of the College.

• Bedders/Housekeeping: The term used for college cleaners

• Porters: A Porter is a staff member responsible for security, assisting students and visitors, managing mail, and overseeing general college operations from the Porters' Lodge. They are very knowledgeable about college offices and act as the first point of contact for any college related queries.

• Porters Lodge/Plodge: It is the main entrance of a College and also where you can find Porters. It is also used for other services like collection of parcels, id cards and few more things and operations specific to colleges. 

• Pigeon Holes/Pidge: Refers to individual mail slots or compartments where students, faculty, and staff receive their physical mail and important college notices. It's where students can collect letters, packages, and sometimes internal college communications.

• Mayball: Lavish, all-night formal events held at Cambridge colleges in June, marking the end of the academic year. Known for elaborate themes, live entertainment, gourmet food, and fireworks, they are among the most prestigious social events at Cambridge.

• Black-Tie Event: A formal social gathering at Cambridge requiring elegant evening attire. Men wear clothing like tuxedos with a black bow tie, while women usually wear formal gowns. These events are often associated with prestigious occasions such as May Balls or formal dinners.

• Port Night: A traditional event held by a few college MCRs where students gather after Formal Hall to enjoy port wine. It’s a casual and popular way for students to unwind and socialise.

• Bops/Ents: A “Bop” or “Ent” is a large, themed college party, offering students a chance to socialise, dance, and unwind.

• Swaps: Swaps are generally events in collaboration between different colleges. They could be informal or formal. Formal swaps are organised by colleges allowing students to dine at other colleges and meet students from across Cambridge. These swaps are a way to experience the dining traditions of other colleges. Sometimes also swapping with colleges of Oxford University.

• UBus: A bus shuttle service connecting various University of Cambridge sites and colleges. Also provides a discounted rate to students.

• Upay: An online payment system used by some colleges to book and pay for college services, such as Formal Hall tickets, meals, and event registrations.

• GP: General Practitioner is a primary care doctor available for general health concerns, typically accessed through the NHS.

• Stash: College or society-branded clothing and gear that Cambridge students sport with pride, showing off their affiliation with various teams, clubs, or their college. It's a stylish way to wear your Cambridge identity! 

• Bursar: A senior officer in a college responsible for managing its financial affairs. 

• Cam: The river that flows through Cambridge, along which many colleges are situated. It is famous for activities like punting.

• Senate House: The historic building in Cambridge where graduation ceremonies and other formal university events take place.

• Master: The head of a college at the University of Cambridge, responsible for overseeing academic and administrative functions.

• Medwards: Short for Murray Edwards College, a women-only college at the University of Cambridge.

• Tripos: An undergraduate degree.

Disclaimer:

The terms listed in this glossary reflect commonly used language across Cambridge and have been compiled for ease of understanding. These definitions are not endorsed or defined by the SU. We do not intend to offend any individual or group. If any terms feel uncomfortable, please feel free to use language that you find more suitable. The use of these terms is entirely optional and provided solely for reference purposes.