HUDS? TF? HCCG? What Harvard Acronyms Mean to Outsiders

There’s something that’s pretty abundant in the daily lives of Harvard students (and no, we’re not talking about p-sets)—acronyms. From HCCG to TF to HUDS, Harvard students might as well speak in acronyms, but we often forget that, to outsiders, they make absolutely no sense.

We ventured into Harvard Square to ask some passersby what they thought some of these commonly-used phrases meant. Responses ranged from “I don’t know. We’re from Norway” to “...what?” as well as some pretty legitimate guesses. Here are some below:

1. TF (Teaching Fellow)

- “Tusty Fellows.”

- “Technological French?”

2. HRO (Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra)

- “Harvard Research Organization.”

- “Harvard Recreational Office.”

- “Harvard Rescue Organization.”

3. HCCG (Harvard College Consulting Group)

- “Harvard Christian Club... Group?”

- “Harvard College Common Garden.”

- “Harvard Chinese Communist Group?”

- “Harvard Community Service Group! oh wait no... Harvard Community Center Group?”

- “Harvard Center Club Jogging.”

4. HUDS (Harvard University Dining Services)

- “Harvard University Dorm Something...”

- “Harvard University Department Sociologist!”

5. DAPA (Drug and Alcohol Peer Advisors)

- “Department of the Archives and Professional Allegement?”

- “Department Artist Program Association.”

- “Department Arts... Photography... Allies?”

- “...cool.”

6. IOP (Institute of Politics)

- ”Inter-Orchestra Players”

- ”Investment Organization...People?”

7. UHS (University Health Services)

- “Oh, shoot, I’ve heard of that! Um... University of Harvard System?”

- “U Hit Some.”

- “...Is that a thing?”

- “Under Harvard Studies.”