But actually, what the heck is a Wahoo?

Hey everyone! Hope you all had an awesome Fourth of July -- whether you celebrated patriotically (for those of you in the US) or just had another normal day (for those of you throughout the rest of the world!). 

Morgan here with another ~fascinating~ post from the admissions office. This time, I've created a guide to help incoming first years (YAY!) with some of the lingo we use here at UVA. 

It may seem daunting at first, but don’t worry – you’ll catch on quickly.  Soon your friends at other schools will look at you in pure confusion as you try to describe to them all the fun you’re having as a first year Hoo eating in the Pav on Grounds in C’ville.  (Was that even English?)

Variations of this list have been published before, but it’s always nice to have a refresher.  I’ve included all the essentials, plus some other popular abbreviations that have appeared since Instagram became a thing. 

So, without further ado, I present:

MOPAT'S GUIDE TO GETTING NEW WAHOOS HIP WITH THE LINGO

Wahoo – Unofficial mascot of UVA.  Legend has it that in the late 1800s, UVA was playing Washington and Lee in a game of baseball, and the UVA fans (in true Cavalier spirit) were getting a bit rowdy.  Washington and Lee fans, looking for a #quality burn, started referring to the UVA crowd as a bunch of “wahoos” – ouch, am I right? The name stuck, and is now the unofficial mascot of the University of Virginia.  

‘Hoo or Hoo – Variation of wahoo.  Source of several terrible puns, i.e. “Hoos ready for the weekend!? Hoo wants to do homework with me!? Hoo wishes I would stop using this pun!?”

(JK, long live the puns!)

Wahoo wah! – Battle cry of the Wahoos.  To be shouted as part of the following chant, fist pumping a la Jersey Shore, upon the conclusion of the Good Old Song:

            Wahoo wah! Wahoo wah!

            Univ-v-Virginia!

            Hoo rah ray! Hoo rah ray!

            Ray, ray, UVA!

This series of wahs and hoorahs are an excellent way of expressing your excitement at sports games or any other time you want to show a little bit of school spirit.  (In a grocery store parking lot as a Tech fan scowls at your UVA bumper sticker, for example.) You’ll want to have this memorized before your first game.

Good Old Song – UVA’s school song, sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.  To be sung arm in arm with those around you at the conclusion of any game, when the football team scores a touchdown, when any relatively sentimental event (Lighting of the Lawn, Convocation, Graduation, etc.) comes to an end, or if you need an excuse to get nice and cozy with the cutie from your math class.  (It’s like the “movie move,” only more UVA!*)

Lyrics are as follows:

              The good old song of wahoo wah, we’ll sing it o’er and o’er

              It cheers our hearts and warms our blood to hear them shout and roar

              We come from old Virginia where all is bright and gay

              Let’s all join hands and give a yell for dear old UVA

You’ll want to learn this one too. 

*Not guaranteed to work. But, like, probably??

Old Cabell – One of three buildings constructed on the South end of the Lawn during the Stanford White renovations of 1896.  Now the home of a cappella performances, fancy paintings, and the music library.  Quite bougie.  Pronounced “Old CAB-uhl.”  Not “Old cah-BELL.”  Made that mistake several times when touring UVA.  SMH.  

NOVA – Northern Virginia, where approximately 99% of UVA students originate (JK, but you will meet a bunch of people from here during the first few weeks of school.  As a Pennsylvania resident, I thought of Villanova at first; my New Jersey roommate thought for a hot second that it was Nova Scotia.  Both of these guesses were quickly proven false.) PSA: SOVA (Southern Virginia) is NOT a thing. 

First, Second, Third and Fourth Year – UVA’s names for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, respectively.  The idea supposedly stems from Jefferson, who believed that there was no end to learning.  He believed that “fourth year,” for example, better described students in their final year of study at UVA because they could never truly be “seniors,” as that term implied that their education was over upon the completion of their degree.  Alternatively, this lingo makes us sound more similar to students at Hogwarts, which is obviously a plus.

Grounds – UVA’s version of “campus.” I’ve heard that the reasoning behind it is similar to that behind the first through fourth year thing, as Jefferson believed that “campus” was a restrictive term that implied that learning stopped outside of University owned land.  I’ve also heard that “Grounds” better suggested the beauty of the land owned by the University. Not sure which, if either, are true – but if anything, it makes us even more Hogwarts-y, so I’m into it. 

Lawn/Academical Village – The original University of Virginia, with 10 pavilions and 54 student lawn rooms surrounding a central Rotunda.  Frequented by dogs, Charlottesville residents, and students alike.  Excellent spot to eat Bodo’s, take basic Instagram pictures, pet aforementioned dogs, chill in a hammock, throw Frisbees, or simply enjoy the beauty of Grounds.

Lawnie – A student who resides in one of the Lawn Rooms.  Usually has cured cancer, solved world hunger, or something of the like.  Super extra awesome person who is capable of living without a kitchen or personal shower.  Stinky? Perhaps.  Hungry? Maybe. Committed to the people and traditions of the University of Virginia? Undoubtedly.

Rotunda – Jefferson’s “temple to knowledge” that served as the University’s first library.  Recently renovated to become a place that students walk into instead of past.  Excellent place to listen to *NSYNC while completing calculus homework and marveling at the historical awesomeness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Alternatively and affectionately known as Roto, Tundy, and Tunda.

 

C’ville – Charlottesville, in cool kid language.  Home of UVA, awesome food, great hiking, a thriving arts and music scene, and so! much! more!

The Corner – Hub of student life in Charlottesville and within a short walk of Central Grounds.  Home to cute shops, delicious lunch and dinner options, and student night life.  Not actually a Corner.  Sad.

Rugby Road – Location of several IFC fraternities.  Young men in navy blazers and khakis will emerge from the cracks in the sidewalk of Rugby during boys’ bid day.   

JPJ – John Paul Jones Arena, home of UVA basketball and several concerts throughout the year. 

The Pav – There may be ten pavilions on the Lawn, but the eleventh pavilion, or Pav XI, is the home of a Five Guys, Chick Fil A, and Subway.  Ha ha ha, I see you @peoplewhonamethings. Clever.

O’Hill – Short for Observatory Hill Dining Hall, a popular first year option located in the New Dorms area and home to ice milk, or the most delicious thing to ever be offered at the University of Virginia.

Newc – Short for Newcomb Dining Hall.  Popular dining spot for both first years and upper class students who will befriend you in order to mooch off of your unlimited swipes.

Runk – Dining hall located near the Gooch/Dillard residence area.  Farther away from both Old and New Dorm areas, but has ah-MAZING mac and cheese and continuously plays fire music.  Definitely check it out during your first year.

Croads – Short for Crossroads, the food court area located on the ground floor of O’Hill.  Also has a convenience store and is open late in case you get the late night munchies.  

Dumps – Not what you think, ya nasties! Short for dumplings served at the Got Dumplings food truck.  Using your meal plan’s plus dollars to get some “dumps in the amph” (amph = amphitheater) is a classic first year move.  10/10 recommend.

Libs – Short for libraries.  As this term is often texted (“yo are you in libs??”), there is heated debate over whether the word is pronounced “libs” or “libez.”  Umbrella term that also covers Clem (Clemons Library) and Aldy (Alderman Library).  

AFC –  The Aquatic and Fitness Center, home to the largest hot tub on the east coast (amazing!) and where many a first year will get #swole during their time at UVA.  Features tons of weights, an indoor track, stationary bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, medicine balls, and sweat. 

Hope you learned something new, whether you are an incoming first year trying to understand those conversations going on around you during the first weeks of class, or a prospective student who needs some help deciphering your tour guide's slang. 

Now, to test your skills, translate the following: 

Signing off from C'ville... wahoo wah!