Do Students from Cambridge and Oxford Address Each Other as 'The Other School'?
It’s often a source of interest and curiosity among students to know how their counterparts from prestigious institutions like Cambridge and Oxford address each other. Although there is no widespread formal practice, there are subtle nuances in how these students may refer to each other.
Formality and Informality
It is not a formal or widespread practice for students from Cambridge and Oxford to refer to each other as 'the other school'. In both universities, the term 'school' typically refers to the degree course a student is pursuing, rather than the institution itself. Additionally, it’s common to mention the specific college or department a student is from, which helps in differentiating among the numerous colleges within these universities.
Oxford Perspective
Taking an Oxford perspective, it’s clear that students do not typically refer to each other as 'the other school'. Instead, they may say, 'He/She is at Emmanuel' or 'They are at St. John's'. College names play a crucial role in identifying fellow students, and if a Cambridge college shares the same name as an Oxford college, the context usually clarifies the reference.
No Wide Usage
Confusion might arise if students are not in the habit of referring to universities as 'schools'. This practice is less common in the UK, where distinctions between universities are not typically made in this colloquial manner. It’s also worth noting that the term 'student' can be ambiguous; at Christ Church, for example, 'student' can refer to a Fellow of the college, which is a different role from a regular undergraduate or postgraduate student.
Personal Experiences and Rivalry
Personal experiences from individuals who studied at these universities often reflect this. For instance, in the case of individuals who read Modern History at Oxford and English at Cambridge, they have never heard of or used such expressions. This lack of usage is not surprising, considering the traditional and formal academic environment of Oxbridge.
Traditional Nicknames and Rivalry
In the past, friends reading at Cambridge were sometimes referred to as being at "The Fens poly". This is a traditional derogatory nickname, and it’s likely that Cambridge students have similar nicknames for Oxford. The rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge universities is still present, especially in sporting competitions, where representatives from both universities compete. However, the phrase 'the other school' has not been commonly used in academic or social settings.
Modern Usage and Context
It’s possible that friends may have "coined" the phrase 'the other school' based on its parliamentary use, where Members of the UK Houses of Commons and Lords use 'the other place' to refer to each other. Regardless, the term is not commonly used in everyday academic discourse or social interactions at Oxford or Cambridge. If there is a need to explain differences in course structure, term times, teaching, or colleges, it may be useful to use such phrases, but it’s not a massive issue.