Glossary

Terms to know:

Call/Chant – A yell used mostly by NPHC and MGC organizations. Used to identify and greet brothers and sisters.  Emulating a call/chant is a sign of disrespect.

Chapter – A branch of an organization, established at a campus. Each will have their own name, usually designated by Greek letters.

Colors – The official pair or triad of colors that represent a specific Greek organization.

“Divine Nine” – A nickname for the nine historically African American Greek organizations on the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Intake – Term for the process by which NPHC members are selected to become new members of an organization. Generally includes an application and an interview process, followed by an educational program done at the local level conducted by both undergraduates and alumni, then an initiation (generally known as “crossing”).

Letters – The first Greek letter of each Greek word that makes up the name of the fraternity or sorority are often displayed on clothing. 

LGLO - Latin Greek Letter Organization

Line – New members of an NPHC or MGC organization. Lines are often given names.

MGC - Multicultural Greek Council

NALFO - National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

NPHC – The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of the nine historically African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine.

Number – The number you are assigned based on the chronological order you are in on your initiation line (often members of other culturally based organizations identify or relate to one another by distinguishing that they are the “same” number).

Panhellenic – “All Greek”

Probate/Coming Out Show – A performance by newly inducted members. A way for organizations to showcase the newest members of the organization. These shows are generally done by NPHC and MGC organizations

Stepping – is a form of percussive dance in which the participant’s entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps and handclaps.

Stroll(ing) – Also known as ‘party walk(ing)’ An energetic, synchronized dance. Typically, NPHC Organizational members move together in a line expressing pride for their organization. In this line, members may express their pride through use of their organization’s call, sign or historical information, ritual/custom dances, etc. All of this is done through movements that are unique to a particular organization.  Emulating or cutting in/through the line is considered a sign of disrespect.