Greek Terminology Quiz

Greek Terminology

Active: Initiated member of a Greek organization with lifelong membership.
Active Transfer: An initiated member moving to a new school retains status without re-education.
Alumna: Singular form for a graduated sorority member.
Alumnae: Plural form of graduated sorority members; typically donate and assist chapter activities.
Alumni: Plural of graduated fraternity members; often support through donations and advising.
Alumni Association: Organization consisting of alumni from a specific fraternity or sorority, often geographically based.
Alumnus: Singular form for a graduated fraternity member.
Associate Member: Member who has been active but is no longer attending university; retains some rights.
Bid: Invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.
Bid Day: Final recruitment day where new members meet and accept bids.
Big: Nickname for a Big Sister or Brother.
Big Brother/Big Sister: Initiated member paired with a new member for guidance during initiation.
Brother: Initiated male fraternity member; term of address among members.
Call: Specific sound used by NPHC members for acknowledgment.
Chapter: Campus-specific branch of a fraternity or sorority, denoted by Greek letters.
Chapter Advisor: Alum who advises a chapter, providing support and guidance.
Chapter Meeting: Regular meeting for discussing organizational business.
Colony: New group of initiates aiming to establish a full chapter.
Colors: Official colors representing a specific Greek organization with symbolic meanings.
Crest: Insignia representing a fraternity or sorority.
Depledge: Withdrawal from the new member process before initiation.
Disaffiliate: Former member who leaves the organization; no longer active or has rights.
Dry Recruitment: Recruitment events without alcoholic beverages served.
Dues: Fees paid by members every semester for operational support.
Expansion: Efforts to establish a chapter at a new campus.
Faculty Advisor: Academic representative advising a Greek organization on university-related issues.
Family: Group consisting of multiple "generations" of members, including bigs and littles.
Founder's Day: Celebration commemorating the founding of a Greek organization.
Frat: Informal and often derogatory term for fraternity that is discouraged.
Fraternity: Male-dominated organization; some sororities also carry the term.
Greek Letter Organization (GLO): Sororities or fraternities identified using Greek letters.
Greek Week: Celebratory week for Greek organizations featuring events and activities.
Greeks: Collective term for fraternity and sorority members, referring to the use of Greek letters.
Hazing: Any action that subjects individuals to harm for group membership; typically prohibited.
House: Informal term for where a Greek organization resides or operates.
House Mom: Individual hired to supervise members in the house; may also be an alumna.
Inactive Member: Member not participating for personal reasons; restricted from certain activities.
Induction (Pinning): Ceremony marking entry into membership, often involving a pin.
Initiate: Individual who has undergone initiation into a Greek organization.
Initiation (Crossover): Formal ceremony for new full member status.
Interest (Rushee): Person undergoing recruitment to join a Greek organization.
Interest Group (IG): Group aiming to establish a Greek Letter Organization on campus.
Interfraternity Council (IFC): Governing body for men's fraternities, overseeing interactions and events.
Lavaliere: Necklace displaying sorority letters, typically worn by members.
Legacy: Individual with familial ties to an organization, granted potential membership.
Little/Lil': Nickname for a pledge mentored by a Big.
Mascot: Symbolic representation, often an animal, for a Greek organization.
Mixer: Social event between two or more organizations.
Motto: A statement encapsulating the purpose or philosophy of the organization.
Multicultural Greek Council (MGC): Governing body for multicultural Greek organizations.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): Governing body for traditionally African-American Greek organizations.
Neophyte (Neo): New member who has completed education but not initiated yet.
New Member: Individual who has accepted a bid and is in the process of initiation.
New Member Education Program: Time allotted for educating new members before initiation.
New Member Educator (Dean/ADP): Main educator for new members within the organization.
On-Line (Pledging): Individuals undergoing membership initiation.
Order of Omega: Honor society for Greek members displaying leadership and academic excellence.
Para: Refers to Greek paraphernalia.
Philanthropy: Community service and charity events supported by the organization.
Pin (Badge): Jewelry item received upon initiation, usually worn during formal events.
Pledge: Former term for new member.
Pledge Line (Line): Group of pledges undergoing education together, later referred to as Pledge Class.
Prophyte: An initiated member who has participated in welcoming new initiates.
Recruitment: Process for members and prospects to learn about each other.
Recruitment Chair: Individual responsible for managing recruitment events for a chapter.
Retreat: Event for members to bond and connect outside of regular meetings.
Ritual: Ceremonial practices specific to each Greek organization; often secretive.
RUSH: Outdated term previously used for recruitment.
Sister: Term of address for initiated female members of a sorority.
Soror: Term used for a fellow member of an NPHC sorority.
Sorority: Female Greek organization; distinguished from fraternities.
Step Show: Performance of synchronized stepping by members or pledges.
Strict Silence: Period preventing sorority members from discussing recruitment outside scheduled events.
Stroll: Dance performed by members of NPHC and MGC organizations.
Yard: Term used to refer to campus in the context of Greek organizations.