Start learning now – students use a GW vocabulary. Here are some common phrases you may hear on campus. From PB to SJT and FixIt to SizzEx, it takes some learning in order to talk the talk. Here is the newest version of The Hatchet’s GW dictionary.

4-RIDE A late-night University-run vehicle escort service that operates from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Call 202-994-RIDE and a van will pick you up and drop you off anywhere within two blocks of campus boundaries.

ABP Acronym for Au Bon Pain, a moderately priced French sandwich shop located in the 2000 Penn mall on 21st and I streets. ABP offers soups, salads, sandwiches and baked goods available on Colonial Cash.

Baja Short for Baja Fresh, a popular fast-food Mexican restaurant located on the corner of 20th and I streets. Baja serves a broad range of Mexican specialties and features its own salsa bar.

CD and CR College Democrats and College Republicans, two of the largest student organizations on campus. Both groups host a variety of events and guest speakers, mostly senators and representatives who only have to travel a couple dozen blocks from Capitol Hill.

Chipotle A burrito restaurant that many argue serves the best Mexican food in town. With locations on both 19th and M streets and on M Street in Georgetown, this fast-food style restaurant constructs massive burritos right before your eyes.

Colonial Cash GW’s own type of credit, which is used on your GWorld card. The card works much like a debit card and can be swiped at on-campus dining venues and many stores outside Foggy Bottom. (For a complete list of Colonial Cash partners, visit http://gworld.gwu.edu/gworldpartners). Each freshman must have $1,700 worth of Colonial Cash at the start of each semester.

Coney Short for Cone E. Island, a late-night ice cream shop located in the 2000 Penn mall on 21st and I streets. Open until midnight, Coney offers a wide variety of hard ice cream, soft serve, smoothies, and their famous homemade fantasy bars and brownies.

DC Snacks Formerly known as Campus Snacks, this late-night bicycle delivery service will bring hungry GW students food, beverages and other items to their doorsteps during the wee hours of the night. Open 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday with orders placed at www.dcsnacks.com.

DJ’s – short for DJ’s Fastbreak, a small restaurant located on the corner of 22nd and G streets. Known for its inexpensive and diversified food, DJ’s will serve up anything from a cheeseburger to an Asian noodle bowl, and it takes Colonial Cash.

EMeRG GW’s student-run emergency medical response team that accompanies University Police officers in case of a medical emergency. EMeRG is commonly called for students that have had too much to drink and need to be taken to the nearby hospital. EMeRG can be dispatched at 994-6111.

FixIt In an effort to ease maintenance concerns, GW offers a free service for students living in a University residence hall operated by Residential Property Management. Call 202-994-2430 or go to the FixIt Web site and a technician will come to your dorm room to fix anything from a burned-out light bulb to a clogged toilet. For emergencies requiring immediate assistance, like a flood, call 202-994-0381.

Froggy Short for Froggy Bottom Pub, located on Pennsylvania Avenue between 21st and 22nd streets. This easygoing bar and restaurant serves up a greasy fare along with salads and sandwiches that are sure to satisfy students. This relatively inexpensive place takes Colonial Cash and is known campus-wide for its pitcher of beer nightly specials and half-price pizza on Monday nights.

G-Town Short for Georgetown, the upper-class neighborhood of D.C. located west of GW. G-Town has numerous bars, caf?s and shops that are fun for walking around or spending lots of money in.

HellWell Nickname for the Lerner Health and Wellness Center, a 183,000-square foot facility that features exercise machines, weights, racquetball and squash courts, swimming lanes, basketball courts and an indoor track. Open until 11:30 p.m. most nights and located at 23rd and G streets.

Metro Short for the D.C. Public transportation system or Washington’s extensive subway and bus system. Buy a single-use fare card to ride the Metro around D.C. or a monthly pass for frequent riders. The Foggy Bottom Metro stop is located at 23rd and I streets.

Manouch Nickname for food vendor Manouchehr Nava. He is a late night food-serving sage who will give you a steaming hot dog with a side of philosophy. He parks his silver cart right outside Tower Records on 21st Street to satisfy students’ late-night hunger cravings. Be sure to ask this Iranian immigrant about his story; but beware, it may take a while.
PB Acronym for Program Board, GW’s student-run social board. PB is in charge of throwing campus concerts, Welcome Week, Fall Fest and Spring Fling.

SA Acronym for the Student Association, GW’s student government, which is split up into legislative, executive and judicial branches. Members of the student government are elected by the student body in annual elections and hold weekly meetings to discuss University policies and issues.

SizzEx Short for Sizzling Express, a buffet/cafeteria located in the Columbia Plaza complex at 538 23rd St. This establishment, which charges their customers based on the weight of their food, takes Colonial Cash.

SJT Acronym for University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. If you see him walking down the street wearing his trademark Coke-bottle glasses and bowtie, feel free to say hello. Trachtenberg will be stepping down as University President in July 2007 after 18 years at the helm of GW.

Thrustin’ The nickname for Mabel Thurston Hall, which, according to rumor was named one of the most sexually active college dorms in the country. While the rumor may be untrue, those who have lived or partied in the 1,100 freshman capacity dormitory on 19th and F streets may find the nickname fitting.

UPD Acronym for the University Police Department, which will respond to crime and safety-related concerns within the GW community. Can be reached in the case of an emergency at 202-994-6111.

The Vern Short for GW’s Mount Vernon Campus, located in Foxhall, a community in Georgetown. The grassy campus is a 15-minute ride on “the Vern Shuttle,” a bus that runs between Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon. Some hate the trek, but many make the pilgrimage either for classes or events.
-compiled by Jessica Calefati and Gabriel Okolski