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11 Words That Mean Something Different In Sororities

A short guide for the non-Greek community

Naomi Fraher

Jan 12, 2016

Queens University of Charlotte

11 Words That Mean Something Different In Sororities

people.southwestern.edu/

I am a proud member of Phi Mu sorority and when talking to my friends and family who are not Greek, I get sideways glances and furrowed brows. I had to realize that our words mean something entirely different when talking about sororities. So here is a little guide for the non-Greek to help get you by.

1. Rush (verb): to move with urgent haste.

Rush (noun): months of preparation and stress and late nights and tears to impress girls with your sorority.

2. Chapter (noun): a main division of a book, treatise, usuallybearinga numberortitle.

Chapter (noun): Your branch of your national sorority, or weekly/monthly meetings, or a room where you hold said meetings.

3. Big (adj.): large, asinsize,height,width,oramount.

Big (noun): your guide to learning things about your sorority. Also, one of the best people you'll ever meet.

Little (adj.): small insize;notbig;notlarge;tiny.

Little (noun): one of the coolest people you'll ever meet who slowly becomes like your child.

4. Letters (noun): awrittenorprintedcommunicationaddressedtoapersonor organizationandusuallytransmittedbymail.

Letters (noun): Fabric sown onto a t-shirt or sweatshirt or clothing piece of your choosing that represents your sorority. (These also make some of the best gifts).

5. Social (adj.): relating to,devotedto,orcharacterizedbyfriendlycompanionshipor relations.

Social (noun): Let's party!

6. Formal (adj.) being inaccordancewiththeusualrequirements,customs,etc. conventional.

Formal (noun): Let's party.... in dresses.

7. Infraction (noun): an incompletefractureofabone.

Infraction (noun): big "no-no's" during recruitment. Your whole chapter can get fined if you violate recruitment rules.

8. Legacy (noun): a giftofproperty,especiallypersonalproperty,asmoney,bywill;abequest.

Legacy (noun): a girl whose mom, aunt, sister or grandmother were a member of the sorority before. So you already know they are awesome without even having to meet them.

9. Nationals (adj.): of, relatingto,ormaintainedbyanationasanorganizedwholeor independentpoliticalunit.

Nationals (noun): the mothership. Headquarters. The place that controls your sorority.

10. Bid (verb): to command;order;direct.

Bid (noun): a highlight of your life. An envelope containing your name and the sorority who invited you to join.

11. Sister (noun): a femaleoffspringhavingbothparentsincommonwithanother offspring;femalesibling.

Sister (noun): girls in your sorority. Awesome people that aren't necessarily related to you. Friends for life. Mentors. Life-changers. Confidants. Someone who roots for you no matter how big or small the battle. Someone who makes you laugh. Someone to cry with. Someone to binge-watch all of Gilmore Girls with you for the 4th time without judgment. Potential bridesmaids.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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11 Words That Mean Something Different In Sororities

A short guide for the non-Greek community

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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