Pit: Outside of Wake, the word “pit” usually refers to a large hole in the ground. But to Wake Forest students, “Pit” refers to a place where many students on campus go to eat breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.
Wednesday: To non-Wake students, Wednesday is known as the day in the middle of the week, or “hump day.” However, every Wake student knows that Wednesday is Wake Wednesday: a special day of the week usually reserved for parties or other fun events.
Pod: Dictionary.com’s definition of “pod” is “a somewhat elongated, two-valved seed vassal, as that of the pea or bean.” But at Wake Forest, the “Pod” refers to a convenience store on the upper quad of campus where students can buy everything from shampoo and conditioner to delicious milkshakes.
Arnold Palmer: Most people know Arnold Palmer as a famous golfer who has a drink named after him. At Wake Forest, Arnold Palmer is a revered alum who has an entire day devoted to him on campus.
Yes, that’s Arnold Palmer on the back of the Demon Deacon’s motorcycle.
The Compound: Most people use the word “compound” when referring to the combination of two or more elements in chemistry. Wake students use “the compound” to refer to the set of off-campus houses where some fraternities throw parties.
Basketball: To non-deacs, “basketball” is simply a game played between two teams where they use an orange ball to score points by shooting it into a basket. But Wake students know that basketball is not just sport – in North Carolina, basketball is basically a religion and the source of fierce inter-collegiate rivalries.
Deacon: To everyone else, a Deacon is a high minister in the Christian church, but at Wake Forest, the Deacon is our beloved, mean-looking mascot. Did I mention he also sports a bow-tie? Fierce.