For the love of God can adults please stop saying uni

[CressidaEgg]

Let's reclaim the five syllable word. University. It grates to read MNers talking about their DC going off to "uni" or even about their own time at "uni". Just call it what it is: university.

[TooManyPaws]

Ironically, wanting to let everyone know that you went to an "ancient" university rather than a "red brick" is a bit superior in itself.

Fairly standard in Scotland in the 1970s. There were only eight unis and five of those could be classed as ancient in terms of governance at least.

[MrsSnootyPants2018]

Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni Uni uni uni uni uni uni uni

[Dungeondragon15]

We used it to distinguish between the uni and the central institution (which is now a uni too). College meant the College of Commerce to do secretarial or whatever or the College of Technology.

I meant that if talking to someone at home or elsewhere I would just say "college". If talking to another student study in the same city we would give the name of the university. There was more than one anyway so saying "university" wouldn't distinguish.

Perhaps the ancient universities are less snobby than the redbricks.

Ironically, wanting to let everyone know that you went to an "ancient" university rather than a "red brick" is a bit superior in itself.

[TooManyPaws]

No, we used to say that we were at College in the 80s. I don't remember anyone saying university and certainly not "uni". It seemed a bit superior to say you were at university rather than a Polytechnics and College of Higher Education.

We certainly didn't in the 1970s and 1980s. We used it to distinguish between the uni and the central institution (which is now a uni too). College meant the College of Commerce to do secretarial or whatever or the College of Technology. No one cared two hoots about the social standing, it was just to identify the institution. Perhaps the ancient universities are less snobby than the redbricks.

[ChuffingNorah]

"Uni" lecturer here- and sorry to disappoint RavenWings but it definitely has hit Ireland. Not from my lips though 😎

[Dungeondragon15]

Still hasn't hit Ireland ime, uni is a British thing. It's called college, maybe university.

It's only a very recent British thing and perhaps comes from watching Neighbours etc. I'm surprised people aren't calling it whatever the Americans call it though

[RavenWings]

Dungeondragon, same here. Graduated 1985. 'Uni' had not hit Ireland at that point.

Still hasn't hit Ireland ime, uni is a British thing. It's called college, maybe university.

[mathanxiety]

Dungeondragon, same here. Graduated 1985. 'Uni' had not hit Ireland at that point.

'Majoring' is used in the US because there is a distinction between your major subjects and all the other courses you are obliged to take at many universities. In Ireland (possibly also the UK, though maybe not Scotland) in many universities you study your major (and minor if you are taking one, or your double major) almost from the getgo.

• Well done Custard!

[GrannyHaddock]

Should we be prepared for Uni Challege?

[SenecaFalls]

In the US, it is "majoring in" for undergraduate degrees.

[ErrolTheDragon]

'Doing', or sometimes 'studying'. 'Reading' sounds pretentious and is quite inappropriate for the many degrees where they really have to do - science, engineering, medicine etc

[Dungeondragon15]

and then do you say x is studying at university or reading at college, so is it studying or reading???

Studying.

[VeryBerryAugust]

Even worse than that: I use "doing" physics / golf course management / nursing.

[welshmist]

and then do you say x is studying at university or reading at college, so is it studying or reading???

[Dungeondragon15]

Yes, in my case 1979-1985. I can't remember how I referred to it then but I'm perfectly happy with 'uni' now, though depending on the context when talking with DD I might talk about her college. You seem to have some strange assumptions!

I'm not making strange assumptions. I just don't know anyone of my age (50s) who says "uni" . Generally, I would just say the place where the university is e.g. she's studying at "Durham" or "Manchester" or I would say "College"

[Dungeondragon15]

I called it Uni in 1987, but I might fall into your category as I only got a 2:1

I don't remember anyone saying "uni" in the UK at the time (although I obviously didn't know everyone). Didn't you feel a bit embarrassed at saying you were at "uni" though considering that there were also Polytechnics and Colleges of Higher Education?

[MaKiPur]

😀spot on!

[VeryBerryAugust]

Congratulations Custard!

[ErrolTheDragon]

Did they go to a university when there were also Polytechnics and Colleges of Higher Education though?

Yes, in my case 1979-1985. I can't remember how I referred to it then but I'm perfectly happy with 'uni' now, though depending on the context when talking with DD I might talk about her college. You seem to have some strange assumptions!

[CustardOmlet]

I just read my emails and i have been accepted on a masters “uni” course YAY!!!!!!

[somewhereovertherain]

Uni obvs

[bitchywitch]

Reading that post is 20 seconds of my life I'll never get back

[WickedGoodDoge]

I’m from Boston and yes, I’d ask what school someone went to, but I’ve never heard of the not calling it school is an indicator of third level education not being the norm in your family.

[Monty27]

Uni is just a shortened version of uni. Oops sorry I mean uni. Oh university is just far too old school and too long.

[mathanxiety]

People say 'school' in the midwest too, and friends of mine who are Canadian (graduates of Toronto and McGill) also use the term, along with college.