Brown student lingo bingo
A few weeks ago, I had dinner with a bunch of friends, and someone remarked: “all you Brown students use the same big words.” Certainly true. Probably even more true in the kinds of humanities seminars that attract the same crew, over and over again with different professors and departments and the same readings. A combination of hanging out with each other, doing the same readings (Discipline and Punish, anyone?) and knowing exactly which words to use to sound smart enough are all contributing.
It is a fun game, the next time you’re bored in a seminar, to listen to the comments that are made — track the repeat words. I tracked the words in one of my seminars, asked around for more suggestions, and worked with the incredible Lena He to make the following bingo card.
Of course, language is a slippery thing, and everyone’s doing their best to be understood at any given time. None of these words are un-useful, though they may just be overused.
Keep an ear out, and let us know if you get 4 in a row. Yes, just 4.
Image via Lena He ‘24.
