Do You Speak MIT?

In an entirely unscientific survey, the MIT Alumni Association asked alumni what word, phrase, or acronym would reveal they went to MIT. While the responses varied, one thing is for certain: The MIT community has a language all its own.

“You’re setting yourself up with that question about acronyms,” said Rajesh Raghavan ’92, responding with a certain infamous MIT acronym.

Even common words known around the world take on a different connotation at the Institute.

“If I shouted out, ‘Gotta tool,’ most MIT students would understand that immediately,” said Douglas Smith ’86, SM ’87. “It means I have a problem set due in the morning, it’s 3:00 a.m., and I have 12 hours of work left to do.”

Watch the video to see how alumni answered, and share your own response in the comments below.

Speak MIT with your friends and classmates at this year’s MIT Tech Reunions taking place June 1-4 on MIT's campus.