Many terms are unique to, or hold a special meaning connected with, Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The university, often called A&M or TAMU, is a publicresearch university and is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. It opened in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the first public institution of higher education in that state. In 1963, the Texas Legislature renamed the school to Texas A&M University to reflect the institution's expanded roles and academic offerings. The letters "A&M" no longer have any explicit meaning but are retained as a link to the university's past.
Texas A&M University's history as an all-male military institution has led to a unique traditions and terminology. Some phrases come from traditions that include Aggie Bonfire and the athletics program. Other phrases are locations and landmarks around the campus. While most of these terms are used exclusively by Aggies, some are used by the university's rivals. Some terms exclusively used by the Corps of Cadets are not included to narrow the list size.
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Texas A&M's football stadium, Kyle Field, student section with the sign "Home of the 12th Man"
The initials are part of the institution's original name, the "Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas". The term no longer has any explicit meaning in the modern institution's name, but it remains as a link to the institution's past.
Aggie (or Ag)
A student, alumnus, or supporter of Texas A&M University. Several other land grant schools use "Aggie", such as New Mexico State and UC Davis. Adding the name of the state at the beginning of the term (i.e. "Texas Aggie") is often used to distinguish between the different schools.
"Aggies never lose, though they may run out of time"; "Aggies never lose, they just occasionally get outscored"
These quotes or variations of them are said after losing efforts. It gives voice to the idea that the team would have eventually won if the game would have gone on longer.
the oldest and largest student-run multigenre convention in the United States. Held annually since 1969 by the student organization Cepheid Variable at the Memorial Student Center, it has grown to become one of the larger conventions in Texas. AggieCon is the first science fiction convention ever sponsored by a college or a college affiliate student organization.
Aggie Moms Club
The oldest support group for students at Texas A&M University, represented by 110 clubs in Texas and across the United States.
Name for Texas A&M and the surrounding metropolitan area, Bryan–College Station, Texas. The phrase, "Welcome to Aggieland", is on the water tower in the middle of campus and one of the decks of Kyle Field. Every spring during "The Big Event", the nation's largest one-day, student-run service project, students do service-oriented activities to say thank you to Aggieland's residents.
Anything not in keeping with Aggie traditions or the Aggie spirit.
Ball 5
Chant done by Aggie baseball fans during games, to incite the chant, an opposing pitcher needs to throw 4 consecutive balls, the chant continues for each consecutive ball thrown until a pitch that is not a ball is thrown. the highest the chant has ever got is ball 12, meaning 11 straight balls, during a 2017 game against Mississippi State University.
Active duty military officer or officers. This term is not found in Shaffer's Aggie Campusology although used by the Cadet Corps in reference to active duty military officers on campus, e.g., The Brass will inspect the battalion tomorrow.
Bull
Active duty member (usually officer) in one of the U.S. armed services. (This term should not be confused with the terms "Good Bull" or "Bad Bull")
Short for a popular bar frequented by A&M students, Dixie Chicken, in the entertainment district, Northgate.
Century Tree
A large oak tree that is in the middle of Academic Plaza which dates back to around 1900. Rarely pruned, its branches reach the ground. Tradition has it that if a couple walks underneath the tree together, they are destined to marry in the future. As such, it is a popular wedding proposal site. In 2011, the Texas Forest Service ranked it as a "Famous Tree of Texas".
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem
Phrase used in the Aggie War Hymn which "is meant to replicate a train going over tracks, or a drum roll on a snare drum".
A tradition where the senior class walks around campus to remember the times they had at Texas A&M. Juniors have a version called E-Walk.
F
Fable
noun – legendary narrative of comedy or supernatural happenings effected by an Aggie with unique Promethean consequences, intended to enforce a useful truth about that Aggie
verb – to tell Aggie fables, call from crowd inspiring speaker to tell Aggie fables
Fish Pond, a fountain on the Texas A&M campus
"Farmers fight"
Phrase used in several Aggie Yells. "Farmers" comes from the original nickname of the sports teams associated with Texas A&M. "Aggies" officially replaced the nickname in 1949, but the word "farmers" remains a part of a few Aggie traditions.
Fightin' Texas Aggie
Common prefix used for things related to A&M. For example, the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.
Official band of Texas A&M since 1894. Members are cadets in the Corps and comprise an entire major unit of the Corps. The band is most noted for its straight-line military marching and intricate close quarters drills.
Final Review
The annual spring ceremonial inspection of The Corps of Cadets gather at Simpson Drill Field. Graduating seniors pass their command duties to the junior officers.
First Yell
An event run by the Yell Leaders before the first home game or conference game which has featured performances by comedians including Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy, and Brian Regan and concerts from former students such as Robert Earl Keen.
A freshman student. In the Corps, the term is used in place of freshmen cadets' first names and is always written in lowercase, e.g. "fish Jones."
Fish Camp
An optional student-led four-day retreat for incoming freshmen held before the student's fall semester that introduces them to the traditions of Texas A&M University. Transfer students can attend a separate retreat called "T-Camp", and first time Texas A&M students coming in spring semester can attend "Howdy Camp".
Fish Pond
A fountain on the Texas A&M campus that is the part of several traditions, located in front of Sbisa Dining Center.
Fish Spurs
A Corps of Cadet tradition where freshmen cadets add bottle caps to the back of their shoes before the Arkansas football game in a fashion similar to the spurs horse riders use. Originally, this was done before the SMU football game as a way to "spur" their opponent. Due to athletic conference changes, A&M has not always played SMU. Thus this tradition has now been switched to before the Southwest Classic against Arkansas.
Aggie graduates refer to themselves as "former students" rather than alumni because not all Aggies graduated due to military needs during the World Wars. Another reason why Aggies use "former students" is that it is felt that "alumni" implies that graduates are "ex-Aggies". Aggies believe in the concept "once an Aggie, always an Aggie", and thus "alumni" would not be appropriate. The Association of Former Students is the university's equivalent of an alumni association.
FOW (FallOrientation Week)
Mandatory first week in the Corps just before school starts in the Fall semester for incoming freshmen cadets or Fish.
Frog
A Transfer student that joins the corps and condenses their whole freshmen year into one semester, usually to stay on track with their graduation date. Used as a verb as well they will "frog" up to the class aligned with their graduation date. So a sophomore by credits will "frog" to be a sophomore second semester.
"From the outside looking in you can't understand it, and from the inside looking out you can't explain it"
Phrase used to describe the difficulty outsiders have understanding Texas A&M culture, and Aggies have articulating their passion for Texas A&M.
Both a saying and the thumbs up hand gesture of all Texas A&M University current and former students as sign of affiliation. Gig 'em also is the name of an Aggie yell. This hand signal tradition began at a 1930 Midnight Yell Practice held before the football game against the Texas Christian UniversityHorned Frogs. In an attempt to excite the crowd, Pinky Downs, a 1906 Texas A&M graduate and member of the school's Board of Regents, asked the crowd "What are we going to do to those Horned Frogs?" Using a term for frog hunting long used by Texas A&M in connection with the TCU rivalry, he answered his own question, "Gig 'em, Aggies!" and demonstrated how creating the hand signal which became the first in the Southwest Conference.
Good Bull
Anything that conforms to the traditions of Texas A&M. Many Ags also use this term to signify approval of virtually anything.
Grodes
The jeans and T-shirts worn by students who worked on Aggie Bonfire. Grodes were typically not washed until Bonfire burned, if ever.
H
"Highway 6 runs both ways"
A contractarian argument used in response to complaints made about Texas A&M, meaning that those who do not like the university are free to leave. Highway 6 refers to the major north–south highway leading to the Bryan–College Station area from Houston and Dallas, two hometowns of the most students at A&M. A more forceful derivative is "Highway 21 runs both ways". Highway 21 leads to Austin Texas home of an Aggie's most bitter rival.
Hiss (or horse laugh)
Rather than "booing", Aggies "hiss" to express disapproval. Aggies are not supposed to boo as a "sign of class", and are not supposed to hiss a fellow Ag. Hissing is a part of a yell called a horse laugh, and usually is accompanied with a hand signal that consists of one's fingers open and palms clasped together, shaken backward and forward.
"Holler House on the Brazos"
Another name for G. Rollie White Coliseum. Term rarely used after basketball and volleyball games moved to Reed Arena and the building was demolished in 2013.
Spectators and cadets "humping it" at the 2007 spring football exhibition game
Texas A&M University's official greeting. Students are encouraged to greet everyone they pass on campus with a smile and a howdy. Howdy is the preferred method for a speaker to get a large group's attention, as the members of the group are expected to return the "Howdy" back to the speaker.
Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck!
Beginning phrase of the Aggie War Hymn.
Hump it (or Humping it)
During a yell, the crowd leans forward and places their hands on their knees to maximize the amount of air displaced during the scream. The stance forces the diaphragm to assist the lungs.
G. Rollie White Coliseum, also known as Jollie Rollie
Aggie jokes
Jokes used against Texas A&M and Aggies, similar to jokes used against ethnic minorities usually with a connotation of a lack of intelligence or unsophistication.
A 18-mile (30 km) Corps march which starts from the dorms in the Quadrangle, through Main Campus and West Campus to Texas A&M's Animal Science Teaching, Research & Extension Complex (ASTREC) near the east bank of the Brazos River. The event is the largest and most successful student-led fundraiser for the March of Dimes in the United States.
The official color of Texas A&M along with white. The university's Pantone color is 7421C. The official RGB value is (Hex #500000). The word "maroon" is used in other contexts, such as the name of the student publication, the Maroon Weekly.
Maroon Out is an official university tradition dating back to 1998. Each year, one football game each season is dubbed an official Maroon Out event and discounted maroon T-shirts are offered for sale to fans to fill the stadium with the Texas A&M color. In 2019, the Maroon Out committee decided to make every home game a "Maroon Out".
Mug down
Kissing one's date during yell practices and football games (the latter after each Aggie score). For the campus satirical publication, see The MugdownArchived 3 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
Short for the Memorial Student Center, Texas A&M's student activity center. It is also a living memorial, dedicated to all Aggies who have given or will give their lives in wartime.
N
Dixie Chicken back entrance on Northgate
New Army
Used to represent Texas A&M's current state and student body. The phrase is often used in conjunction with complaints about changes that have happened to the institution and the attitudes of younger Aggies.
During sporting events, Texas A&M students get off the bleachers when players on any team are injured. "Wood" is only stated because it is a tradition since Texas A&M stadiums no longer have wooden bleachers.
Old Ag
Synonymous for a former Texas A&M student.
Ol' Army (or Old Army)
Texas A&M's past. Often used in the sense of "the good old days."
Ol' Lady (or Old Lady)
Corps of Cadet member's roommate. As freshmen, cadets are not allowed to refer to their personal living space as a "room", but instead, refer to it as a "hole". Since freshmen are not allowed to have a "room", they cannot have a "roommate" and refer to this person as an "Ol' Lady". While not facing the same restrictions as upperclassmen, many cadets continue the tradition into their senior year.
Ol' Rock (or Rock)
A character who is meant to represent the prototypical Aggie used in the fables told at yell practices. Another tradition during these fables is for the yell leader telling the fable to mention his class's graduating year in the fable, when this happens, members of that class do their class wildcat.
Ol' Sarge
An unofficial mascot of A&M that is portrayed as a tough-looking corps drill sergeant.
A ceremonial Cavalry unit of the Corps of Cadets. It is the only mounted ROTC unit in the United States
Pass back
A hand signal, initiated by the Yell Leaders, which informs students which yell to do next.
Passdown
An object of some significance that is given from an upperclassman to an underclassman, and is often passed through several generations of students in the Corps.
Pisshead
A nickname for a sophomore, primarily in the Corps of Cadets. Refers to the stern demeanor of sophomore cadets in training their freshmen.
Poor Aggies
Used to taunt Aggies after an athletic loss from opponents.
A ranking system based on one's class year which determines what traditions an Aggie student is allowed to perform. The privilege levels are, SP, JP, and ZPs: sophomore, junior, and senior (Zip) privileges, respectively. Freshmen have "fish privileges". In the Corps, one's privilege level has an enormous effect on a cadet's lifestyle. Some rules like wildcatting extend to non-regs.
Pull out
Using a privileged word not available to your class; for example, sophomores saying "Whoop."
Push
a) A form of punishment consisting of pushups, especially after pulling out. Cadets in the Corps typically do a "class set" of push-ups, one for each year of their class. The Class of 1945 did only 45 pushups, and while for a few years cadets did "old Army class sets" (counting from 1900 and not resetting at 2000), the Class of 2021 now does 21.
b) The last phase of Aggie Bonfire construction, where students worked around the clock in rotating shifts to finish stacking the logs.
The Texas A&M mascot, a purebred American collie. Reveille is the highest-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. Freshmen cadets are required to address her as "Miss Rev, ma'am."
Ring Dance
A spring semester dance similar in function to a prom. The dance marks the time when seniors can turn their ring around to allow it to be read by others when their palm is facing down.
A non-school sanctioned tradition performed after a student receives an Aggie Ring; usually involves chugging a pitcher of beer, or a non-alcoholic substitute, with their Aggie Ring in the bottom then catching the ring in their teeth.
The ceremonial honor company of Texas A&M University, and the official honor guard for the Governor of Texas
S
"Saw Varsity's Horns Off"
A verse from the Aggie War Hymn, it refers to defeating the Texas Longhorns, who use a Longhorn steer as their mascot.
Sbisa
Sbisa Dining Hall is on North campus near most of the north campus dorms. It was opened in 1912 and named after Bernard Sbisa who was in charge of feeding the corps during the late 19th century. It is frequented by many freshman and is one of two dining halls on campus.
An all-male choir, one of the three Choral Activities choirs at A&M, called the "Voice of Aggieland". While Corps members may join the Singing Cadets, one does not have to be a member of the Corps to join the Singing Cadets.
A ceremony, held monthly, to honor all enrolled students who died in the previous month.
"Sit down bus driver"
An Aggie Yell used in athletic events to taunt opposing team's coaches when they are arguing with an official or otherwise holding up the game. "Bus driver" refers to the fact that coaches used to drive the buses for road games.
Southside
Residence halls on the far southeast portion of campus.
Describes the unity and devotion Aggies have for their school and to each other. "The Spirit" also refers to the school song, "The Spirit of Aggieland".
Spirit of '02
an M1902 field gun found during the construction of the 1974 bonfire. Fully restored, it is fired when the Aggie football team scores a touchdown.
Stack
The third phase of Aggie Bonfire construction, where students would wire the logs together in their final shape.
Sully (or Sul Ross)
Short for former Texas A&M President Lawrence Sullivan Ross. Modern usage generally refers to the prominent statue of him on campus, often covered in pennies from students as a "good luck" tradition.
T
TAMC (or Texas AMC)
Refers to the university's former name the "Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas". While the institution has been renamed Texas A&M University with the initials TAMU, the initials AMC are still used in several Aggie traditions including Aggie yells and the Spirit of Aggieland."
Tea-sip (or t-sip)
A student of Texas A&M's archrival, The University of Texas at Austin. The term is intended to be derogatory (the origin being that while Aggies were off fighting wars, students of UT Austin were "sipping tea" at home).
An independent Texas A&M website, one of the largest collegiate independent websites in the country. "TexAgs" has been used colloquially in relationship to the use of the site's internet forum.
What Aggies call The University of Texas at Austin, normally abbreviated UT, the main rival school to Texas A&M University. The term is intended to be derogatory. Aggies maintain that UT is a university "in" Texas not the university "of" Texas. The t.u. therefore stands for "texas university", with the lowercase letters being an added insult.
U
Uncover
Said as a reminder for people to take off their hat during yells or the singing of 'The Spirit of Aggieland'
W
Hand sign for the Wrecking Crew
Wag/Waggie
Portmandeau of "Woman Aggie". A term referring to female cadets in the Corps; often derogatory, but not exclusively. As of recent, though, it may also be used as term of endearment.
The tradition of freshmen in the Corps of Cadets introducing themselves to upperclassman in the Corps. Sophomores whip out to juniors and seniors while juniors only whip out to seniors.
The second official Texas A&M color. White Out is a basketball tradition. Unlike football games, where Aggie fans wear Maroon, the basketball crowds wear white.
"Whoop"
An exclamation of approval and excitement, especially used at the end of a yell. This is a junior and senior privilege.
Wildcat
A noise and a hand motion made after an Aggie yell. Each class uses a different wildcat based on seniority.
Name given to defenses of the football team. The term became popular in the 80s and 90s. While the term is trademarked by the university, many fans, coaches, and sports analysts feel that recent Aggie defenses have not "earned" the title.
Y
A yell leader doing the senior wildcat on the field at a football game. Yell leaders do this signal at the end of each yell either kneeling (as shown) or standing with a foot tucked behind the opposite knee.
Texas A&M's equivalent of cheerleaders – These elected students, three seniors and two juniors, lead the student body in synchronized yells throughout all sporting events and yell practices. While all yell leaders on the main campus have been men, a woman has served as one at the school's branch campus in Galveston. Note that the university has an all female competitive cheerleading squad called Texas A&M Cheer Squad, which has won several NCA National Championships including the 2023 event. This cheer squad does not perform at athletic events whereas yell leaders do.
^ Watkins, Matthew (17 November 2005). "Off-campus bonfire". The Battalion. Archived from the original on 25 December 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
^ Gravois, John (5 January 2007). "Memorandum". Short Subjects. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Vol. 53, no. 18. p. A6. At A&M, we call our sophomore cadets "pissheads," we call our Fightin' Texas Aggie Band members "band queers,"
^ "Texas A&M University Brand Guide". Texas A&M Division of Marketing and Communications. 2012. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
^Haskins, Maggie (4 November 2004). "The Perfect Week". Sports Illustrated on Campus. Archived from the original on 5 September 2005. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
^"Aggie Muster". Texas A&M University. Archived from the original on 31 May 2000. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
^Millender, Shawn C. (7 December 2004). "Thoughts on A&M football". The Battalion. Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
^Smith, Jonathan M (2007). "The Texas Aggie Bonfire: A Conservative Reading of Regional Narratives, Traditional Practices, and a Paradoxical Place". Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 97: 182–201. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8306.2007.00530.x. S2CID144443161.
^"Reed Arena". Texas A&M University — Division of Finance. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
^"Reed Rowdies". Texas A&M University. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
^"Ring Dance". classcouncils.tamu.edu. Texas A&M University Class Councils. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
^Edwards, Stacy (5 September 2008). "South American serenade". The Battalion. Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2008.