*Aggies: The term refers to current and former students of Texas A&M.

It's in reference
to agriculture, which was in the institution's original name. The term did not come into
use until after World War I.
*Aggie Ring: Symbol of the Aggie network that dates back to the beginning of the
school. The ring is traditionally ordered in gold, and the design has remained mostly
unchanged for the past 100 years. (this is really cool because no matter what age, Aggies
always wear their ring)
Aggie War Hymn: The Aggie fight song was written by J.V. "Pinky" Wilson, class of
1920. He wrote the second verse his senior year and the first verse almost 20 years later.
Today, students sing the second verse twice at sporting events.
Beat the Hell: An Aggie yell. The "pass back" is an Aggie's left arm clapping the right
bicep, with the right arm pulling up, fist clenched. Aggies yell, "Beat the hell outta
[whatever athletic team A&M is playing]."
Bevo: The longhorn is the mascot for the University of Texas, but the steer was not
named until six Aggies stole him in February 1917. UT officials wanted to brand the steer
with the score from the 1916 A&M-UT football game that the Longhorns won, 21-7.
A&M students heard of the plan and stole the mascot, according to university archives.
Before returning him, they took him to Waco and branded his side with the score from the
1915 rivalry game, which A&M won, 13-0. To save face, UT students allegedly modified
the "13-0," to look like "BEVO," which remains the name of the mascot. In 1920, Bevo
was cooked up and served at a barbecue with A&M officials as guests. A&M students
would steal Bevo again in 1963. A UT student returned the favor in 1993 and stole 4month-old Reveille VI from the mascot corporal's Dallas home during December winter
break.
Bonfire: The tradition began in 1909 and lasted 90 years. Students cut and stacked logs
to be lit in preparation of the annual football game with the University of Texas. Bonfire
symbolized the Aggies' "burning desire" to beat their rivals. Tragedy struck Nov. 18,
1999, when the stack collapsed at 2:42 a.m. Twelve Aggies were killed and 27 were
injured. A memorial now stands where the tradition had been held. (I was living in
College Station when this happened and it was devestating)
Bus driver: Fans yell "Sit down, bus driver" when the coach of the opposing team is
holding up the game by complaining to the officials. (You will probably hear this a lot
since Coach Jones is a very passionate and agressive coach)
Century Tree: The oak tree dates back to around 1900. Many of its sprawling branches
now rest on the ground. It is the site of wedding proposals, engagements and bridal
photos. The Texas Forest Service designated it to the ranks of "Famous Tree of Texas" in
2011. (If you can take the time, please take you picture here because it is a beautiful
setting)
The Chicken: Refers to the Dixie Chicken bar on Northgate. The Chicken, established in
1974, is the oldest bar on Northgate. The ring-dunking tradition began there in the 1970s.
(go here if you can!!! It is awesome!
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem: The phrase's earliest appearance is in a 1906 yell book. The
general consensus among alumni is that it is meant to replicate a train going over tracks,

or a drum roll on a snare drum. But, according to David Chapman, former archivist of
Cushing Memorial Library: "There is, as far as I know, no definitive answer" to what the
phrase is mimicking. The phrase is used in the Aggie War Hymn, right before Aggies
"saw varsity's horns off."
Gig 'em: The hand sign is a closed fist with a thumb up. The tradition got its start in 1930
at a Yell Practice before a game against TCU. "Pinky" Downs, class of 1906, was a
member of the A&M Board of Regents and gave a speech, asking the Aggies what they
were going to do to the Horned Frogs. The term comes from hunting frogs or fish using a
pronged spear called a "gig."
Hiss: Part of the Horse Laugh yell, or a sign of disapproval. The hand signal is one's
palms clasped together with fingers upright then shaken back and forth. (If A&M gets a
penalty for which the fans disagree, you will hear them hiss)
Howdy: The traditional Aggie greeting. Howdy Week during the spring semester is
aimed to raise awareness of the tradition. "Howdy Dammit" shirts and car decals can be
seen around Aggieland.
Hullabaloo caneck caneck: The general consensus on what the phrase is mimicking is
the sound of trains going over the tracks. When asked during a legislative session in the
1970s, former Texas A&M president Jack K. Williams joked, "It's Chickasaw Indian for
'Beat the hell outta the University of Texas.'" It is the opening line to the Aggie War
Hymn. The Aggie Band drum majors tell the band, "Recall! Step off on Hullabaloo!"
Humping it: When Aggies participate in the yells, they put their hands on their knees and
lean forward. The intention is to maximize the effect of their voices. (this is not a formal
"bowing" to the yell leaders as wrongfully assumed by others)
Junction Boys: In summer 1954, newly hired head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant took the
A&M football team on a 10-day training camp in Junction, a small town about 54 miles
northwest of Kerrville. Many players quit the team, due to the oppressive drought and
heat wave, compounded with Bryant's denial of water breaks, a common practice of
coaches at the time. The story was the subject of a Jim Dent book and a 2002 ESPN
movie. (Great movie)
Maroon Out: Fans are encouraged to wear maroon T-shirts for one designated game
each football season. The tradition started in 1998 in a game against No. 2 Nebraska. The
Aggies won, 28-21. (The UT game is a maroon out!)
Midnight Yell Practice: Students and alumni attend a yell practice at midnight at Kyle
Field the night before a home football game. For road games, a location is picked for a
Midnight Yell Practice in the host city. The tradition includes speeches by the yell leaders,
and occasionally by coaches and players. Aggies kiss their dates (or "mug down") when
the lights go out. If you are going to be in College Station on Friday I highly encourage
you to attend Midnight Yell. It is the coolest thing I have ever seen!
Northgate: The entertainment district is across from the north entrance to campus on
University Drive. Businesses include Dixie Chicken, Duddley's Draw, Dry Bean Saloon,
Daisy Dukes, Freebirds World Burrito, The Corner Bar and Hookah Station. Freebirds
Burrito is awesome and Aggie owned. Wings 'N More is also excellent and not only have
great wings but their chicken tenders are delicious!

Off the wood: Aggies stand on the bleachers for the duration of football games as a
symbolic act of the 12th Man tradition, except when a player on either side is injured.
Pass back: Hand signals that the yell leaders use to direct the crowds to yell.
Reveille: The collie is the mascot and "First Lady" of A&M. Reveille holds the highest
rank, Cadet General, in the Corps. Members of Company E-2 take care of her. The
tradition began in 1931, when cadets accidentally hit a black and white dog with their car.
They brought it back to their dorm. The next morning she barked when the morning
wakeup call, Reveille, was sounded. The current mascot is Reveille VIII. All the deceased
Reveilles are buried in a designated cemetery on the north side of Kyle Field in the plaza
complete with a miniature scoreboard.
Ring Dunk: The tradition is not sanctioned by the university. Students celebrate
receiving their Aggie Ring by dunking it in a pitcher of beer or another beverage and
drinking all of it as fast as they can, trying to beat their class year. For example, members
of the class of 2014 will have 114 seconds. They finish by catching their ring between
their teeth and posing with the "Gig 'em" hand sign. The tradition got its start in the 1970s
at the Dixie Chicken. As of April 2005, the Chicken will only serve students a 32-ounce
chugger of beer.
Saw Varsity's Horns Off: A yell at the end of the Aggie War Hymn that refers to the
University of Texas football team, which was known as "Varsity" at the time the yell was
written, and its longhorn mascot. Aggies lock arms and sway to replicate "sawing" the
horns.
Spirit of Aggieland: The "spirit" describes the devotion Aggies have for Texas A&M and
each other. It is the name of the school song.
TAMC: Abbreviation for Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, which was the
school's name from 1871 to 1963, when it was changed to Texas A&M University. The
A&M was retained as an acknowledgment of the institution's roots, not as an
abbreviation.
teasip: A student who attends the University of Texas.
t.u.: How Aggies refer to the University of Texas in the spirit of rivalry. (this does not
refer to Tennessee)
12th Man: Aggie fans call themselves this in support of the athletic teams. A&M
students stand throughout football games in reference to E. King Gill in 1921. Injuries
piled up during a game against Centre College. Coach Dana X. Bible called Gill who
had previously played with the team to suit up and be ready to play. Gill stood on the
sidelines the entire game "in case my team needed me," he said.
12th Man towels: The tradition started in the 1980s, when Jackie Sherrill held open
tryouts for the 12th Man Kick-Off Team. The squad began carrying white towels they'd
wave to motivate the crowds.
2-percenters: Those who don't actively participate in the Aggie traditions.
Uncover!: Aggie fans at football games yell this at people who don't take off their hats
for a yell or the school songs
Whoop!: Aggie upperclassmen say this as an expression of approval. Freshman and

sophomores are not supposed to say it.

Wrecking Crew: Term that gained prominence in the 1980s and '90s for the defensive
reputation of the football team.