Glossary
of Cambridge jargonGlossary
of Cambridge jargonB.A. - see Bachelor, Bachelor of Arts.
Babbage - a lecture room on the New Museums Site.
B.A. Status - a graduate student who does not hold a Cambridge degree has B.A. Status in the university. Such a student wears a B.A. gown without strings.
Bachelor - a person holding the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Such persons are colloquially called B.A.s.
Bachelor of Arts - one of the lowest forms of degree in the university, abbreviated B.A. In medieval times obtained by disputation after studying the Trivium, now obtained by obtaining honours in sufficient Tripos examinations and by keeping nine terms. B.A. degrees come in two types: Honours and Ordinary.
Bachelor of Divinity - this is a higher degree, so senior that it outranks a Doctor of Philosophy. Abbreviated B.D.
Bachelor of Medicine - apart from Divinity, Medicine is the highest ranking bachelors' degree of the University, awarded to those who are qualified to practise in the profession of medicine. Abbreviated M.B. See also: First M.B., Second M.B., Final M.B.
Bachelor of Surgery - a degree awarded immediately to all who pass the Final M.B. examination to enable them to practise in the profession of medicine without having to wait for a Congregation at which to take the M.B. proper. They usually take the M.B. within the next year. Abbreviated B.Chir.
Backs - a somewhat ill-defined area of Cambridge, around the river between Silver Street and Bridge Street. The former name for Queen's Road.
Baitsbite - a lock on the River Cam. The sport of rowing is normally confined between Jesus Lock and Baitsbite Lock.
Balfour & Newton - library of the Department of Zoology in the New Museums Site.
Bands - a small piece of academic dress worn at the collar by male graduands.
BAS - British Antarctic Survey.
Bats (i) - small winged mammals, of which there is a colony in Queens' College.
Bats (ii) - the dramatic society of Queens'.
Battels - (primarily an Oxford term, though formerly used at some Cambridge Colleges) a student's account with his College, especially for buttery purchases, and board and lodging.
B.Chir. - Bachelor of Surgery.
Bedder - colloquial form of Bedmaker.
Bedmaker - name given to college domestic staff. They no longer make beds.
Bedsit - a single room combining the function of bedroom, study, and living room (a common term in Britain but not apparently in other English speaking countries).
Biffen - a lecture room in the Genetics Department on the Downing Site.
Blazer - a coloured jacket, specifically and originally the scarlet jackets worn by the Lady Margaret Boat Club.
Blue - sporting colours awarded by certain university clubs after a match against Oxford.
Blue - see Cambridge Blue.
Board - in the university, a general term for a committee which is grander than a Syndicate, but not as grand as a Council. Each Faculty is governed by a Faculty Board.
Boards - formerly, having one's name "enscribed upon the boards of a College" defined one as a resident member of the College and the University. This function is now largely performed by the Gate List.
Boatie - student slang for a rower.
Boatrace - a student drinking competition, conducted between two sides of a dining table, whereby each person in turn has to stand up, consume the contents of their wine-glass, invert it over their head, and sit down again, before the next person on their side does likewise. The side which finishes firsts wins. There are no prizes.
The Boatrace - a rowing competition between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
BoGS - the Board of Graduate Studies.
Bonnet - the festal academic head-dress for Doctors.
Botanic Garden - the University's Botanic Garden lies between Trumpington Street and Hills Road.
Botany School - university building housing the Department of Botany.
Bridget's - hostel to enable disabled students to attend Cambridge.
Bullard - outlying laboratories, in West Cambridge, of the Department of Earth Sciences.
Bulldog - colloquial term for the Proctor's constables. Now rare.
Bumps - a form of rowing race where competing boats start simultaneously but at fixed distances from each other. The aim is to bump the boat in front before being bumped by the boat behind. If neither happens, you are said to row over. A significantly dangerous pastime, and therefore an excellent spectator sport.
Bursar (i) - a college administrative officer. See also: Senior Bursar, Junior Bursar, Domestic Bursar.
Bursar (ii) - a student in receipt of a Bursary (ii).
Bursars' Committee - the intercollegiate committee of College Bursars.
Bursary (i) - place where the College Bursar has an office.
Bursary (ii) - a grant to a student.
Buttery - place in a College where students can purchase provisions.
Bye-Fellow - a college fellowship of lower status than an official Fellow.
This compilation is Copyright (C) R.D.H. Walker 1991-97. rdhw@cam.ac.uk