It is that time of the year again, dearest readers. As the summer break draws to a close, you, along with countless others, will return to the desolate oasis that is Pilani and will call it home for the better part of the year.  For returning students, it is the beginning of a new semester. For others, however, it is the beginning of a new life altogether. 

Your first few days as a freshman will be some of the most tumultuous but thrilling days of college life. Unpacking in your hostel rooms, unlocking new locations on the campus map, and getting acclimatised to the sweltering heat are challenging enough by themselves. To add to it, the residents of the ‘magical’ realm of BITS Pilani speak in a dialect far different from the common speech of the outside world.  

Fortunately for you, the English Press Club has put together a short glossary of words you may come across. For all the upperclassmen reading, we hope this article will turn the clock back and take you to when you were a wide-eyed freshman, meandering through your first week in college. 

As for all the freshmen here, this article will make that meandering a little easier. 

Lite – Often followed by ‘le’, A punctuation mark for every problem in BITS. Didn’t study for the quiz? Take lite. 

Supri – Like Darth Vader is to Palpatine, the Superintendent is to the Warden, keeping a check on the rebellion within the hostel

Outstie – Outstation participants in Pilani fests, also outside our potential.

Psenti Sem – Last semester on campus, a swan song in which every graduate-to-be tries what they could never do before.

QT – Quadrangular Open Areas, not to be confused with ‘cutie’, this QT is available inside every hostel (unlike the other one), offering a chance to play sports, relax and unwind.

Redi – Solution to post-class cravings and when something horrendous is made in the mess. Also synonymous with campus street food.

Sidey – Wingmates residing in rooms adjacent to yours. You may find your sleep disturbed pretty often, courtesy of their alarms.

Dulla – Short for ‘Dualite’, which itself is short for ‘Dual Degree Undergraduate Student’. Most Dullas end up graduating with two degrees that have absolutely nothing to do with each other.

GPL – An unfortunate and rather painful bashing of the birthday boy by his supposed ‘friends’ following the cake-cutting ceremony. A nightly spectacle near Looters.

Interaction – Late-night, unexpected gathering of freshers and seniors. Good place to practice your ‘formal intro’. Be prepared for the most absurd questions to be thrown at you.

Formal Intro – A brief introduction about yourself in a set format that you’re expected to give to any senior you come across on campus. Literally.

Audi – The main auditorium of BITS. You’ve probably already been there for your orientation.

Chowki – The resident guard of the citadel that is your bhawan.

Cnot – A simplification of the word ‘Connaught Place’. A market overlooking Shivganga, home to multiple open-air restaurants dating back to the 1960s.

Shivganga – A locked, mysterious location on the campus map. Once accessible to the students of this college, it has since been patched by the ‘developers’.  

Compre – Short for ‘Comprehensive Examination’. Easily the worst two weeks of the semester. Oh, the horrors…

Diro – The lord of the campus. Also addressed as the ‘Director’.

Ghot – A loving nickname for the most studious and dedicated pupils of this esteemed university.

GymG – Simplified from ‘Gym Grounds’. A misnomer, since the gym is actually located in the Student Activity Centre (SAC).

Sky – May refer to the lawns next to the museum on campus, Sky Lawns, or the little eatery located there, Sky Labs, depending on the context. There is a long-standing legend on campus that dooms all those who visit the museum before graduating to go unplaced.

Tongue Dog – A fat, golden-brown dog mostly found sleeping near ANC. His tongue sticks out and touches the ground while he’s asleep, hence the name. Be sure to give him a few ear scratches and a belly rub the next time you see him.

Now, armed with this unique dialect, you are ready to venture into the jungles of Pilani. Soon, the homesickness will fade, and as you mingle more with the ‘wildlife’, you realise that this is a place you will eventually come to love. Until then, keep this guide close, give Tongue Dog a pat for us, and when overwhelmed, just take lite.