Did You Know? The thumbs-up gesture Aggies make when saying "Gig 'em" was the first hand sign of the Southwest Conference.

Why do Aggies say hump it?

Humping it: When Aggies participate in the yells, they put their hands on their knees and lean forward. The intention is to maximize the effect of their voices.

Why do Aggies kiss when they score?

  Every scoring play for Texas A&M is a signal to mugdown, or kiss the date that you came with. For a university full of thousands of 18-22 year olds, this tradition is surely a favorite.

Why do Aggies grab their nuts?

It creates excitement. It creates pride. Down in College Station, Texas, Texas A&M has one tradition that may prevent the creation of future Aggies. Casuals may know it as the “A&M nut squeeze” but the good people at Kyle Field know it as a variation of “humping it.”

What is the hand signal for Texas A&M?

He replied, "Gig 'em, Aggies!" and made a hand sign of a closed fist and a thumb up. The term comes from hunting frogs or fish using a pronged spear called a "gig." The gesture became A&M's signature hand signal.

Why is horns down offensive?

The horns down gesture is a popular way to taunt Texas football. Sooners fans and opponents of Texas everywhere in college football use the 'horns down' hand symbol to mock the Longhorns.

Why are Aggies called former students?

As Texas A&M fought for state funding in the 1880s and the Ex-Cadets group became inactive, a new organization was created in the belief that graduates would be A&M's best and strongest advocates. This was the Alumni Association, formed in 1888.

Why do Aggies say howdy?

“Howdy” is the official greeting of Texas A&M. Students greeting one another — and especially campus visitors — with a “howdy” has earned the university a reputation as the friendliest campus in the world. The origins of this tradition are unknown, but it is one that Aggies proudly continue.

Do people kiss at midnight yell?

Every Midnight Yell, the lights are turned out, allowing dates to “mug down,” or kiss.

What do Aggies say at football games?

Aggie Yells — Include“Gig 'em,”“Aggies,”“Farmer's Fight,” “Military,” “Old Army,” “Locomotive,” “Kyle Field,”“Sky Rocket,”“Beat the Hell,”“Fifteen for Team,” “Fifteen for Team, Farmer's Fight, Call it a Night,” “Horse Laugh,” and “Team.” (See the Yells section in the back of this Glossary.)

Why do Aggies wear rings?

As the most visible sign of the Aggie Network, the Aggie Ring is a unique representation of achievement, as it can only be ordered when an Aggie completes specific academic requirements. The tradition of the Aggie Ring dates back to 1889, when the first Rings featured the letters “AMC” entwined on the crest.

Do Aggies boo?

Hiss: An Aggie sign of disapproval. Aggies do not “boo” as it is not classy. Also, Aggies never hiss another Aggie.

What are the Aggie yells?

Aggie Yells

• Gig 'em. [Pass Back: Closed fist with thumb pointed straight up] ...
• Aggies. [Pass Back: Hands flat, with index fingers and thumbs touching to form an “A”] ...
• Farmers Fight. [Pass Back: Closed fists rotating around each other in alternating directions] ...
• Military. ...
• Old Army. ...
• Locomotive. ...
• Kyle Field. ...
• Aggie Stomp.

Do you have to be a student to go to Midnight Yell?

Who can come to Midnight Yell? Everyone is welcome to attend.

How does Midnight Yell work?

At midnight on the night before an away game Midnight Yell is held in or near the opponent's city. Besides exciting the crowd, Midnight Yell introduces the student body to any new yells and to practice changes to existing yells.

What is the motto of Texas A&M?

Through unity, strength.

Why do students at Texas AM wear uniforms?

Texas A&M Military Uniforms

Roughly 2,000 students are Corps members. This means that they live and learn within the military organization's disciplinary framework. As such, students that are a part of the Corps of Cadets wear distinct military uniforms.

Where did Aggies come from?

The term Aggie is a diminutive form of agricultural, which has long been used to refer to students who attend agricultural schools. Upon its founding as a land grant university in 1891, the school, then the Agricultural and Mechanical School for the Colored Race, adopted the nickname.

What does an upside down longhorn mean?

Imagine a bull with its horns pointed down instead of up. It's the same imagery as a fighter taking a knee or showing a sign of "meekness" or "giving up," and when a team playing opposite the Texas Longhorns brandishes the "horns down" symbol, it's perceived as a slight against the team.

Is it a penalty to do horns down?

From the West Virginia Mountaineers to the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas A&M Aggies, the counter to Texas' iconic gesture became known as 'Horns Down,' which is just the same thing upside down. Any player who flashes that hand signal during a game could receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from Big 12 officials.

Is Hook Em Horns Texas A&M?

Hook 'em Horns is the chant and hand signal of The University of Texas at Austin. Students, alumni, and fans of the university employ a greeting consisting of the phrase "Hook 'em" or "Hook 'em Horns" and also use the phrase as a parting good-bye or as the closing line in a letter or story.

Why do Texas A&M fans hiss?

If a referee call is especially egregious in the minds of the Aggies, the Yell Leaders will call for the "Horse Laugh," a yell that ends with a stadium wide hissing. After each yell, students make a noise and a hand motion that is known as a wildcat.

How does Aggie Ringday work?

Aggie tradition is that you wear your new Aggie Ring with the year facing you, as a constant reminder to yourself of your goal to graduate from Texas A&M. At Ring Dance or during your commencement ceremony, you will turn your Ring so that the year faces outward, proudly declaring your achievement to everyone you meet.

How big is the Aggie network?

With an Aggie Network of over 428,000 active former students, more than 62,000 current students, ​11,000+ faculty ​& staff, along with parents and friends of Texas A&M, ​nearly 600,000 Aggies stand ready to support you around the globe.