top of page

Headed to Oxford Soon? Learn the Lingo!

Have you ever heard someone say Hotty Toddy and wonder what they meant? There are several words and phrases with specific meaning to Oxford and Ole Miss. Here are just a few of the well-known phrases used in the Ole Miss and Oxford community!

Velvet Ditch

This saying dates back to the 1950’s, this is a phrase used to describe Oxford. It means that Oxford is a place that is “easy to fall into and hard to crawl out of.” People fall in love with every aspect of Ole Miss, from the university's beautiful campus, to the vibrant downtown square, or with the atmosphere of everyone who is a part of the community. Most people are quick to fall in love and never leave, hence the term velvet ditch. This coined term has made its way onto t-shirts in multiple stores, and it was featured in an article from the Huffington Post.



Hotty Toddy

This is a way to say hello to a fellow Ole Miss fan no matter where you are. It can also mean “goodbye,” “good luck,” “good game,” “we’re better than y’all,” or “I hope y’all lose.” If you are wearing Ole Miss, most people will scream Hotty Toddy and you respond with the same thing back. It is cool to find fans all over the nation by saying this one phrase we all have in common. Ole Miss Fans are definitely not shy about being an Ole Miss Rebel!


662 & 38655

These numbers represent the three digit area code and five digit zip code associated with Oxford. College kids and locals love representing our town by wearing shirts and hats donned with these digits.


The Grove

During the week, this is a beautiful grassy area in the center of the Ole Miss campus where students can hangout and study. On football weekends, The Grove is transformed to a place where Ole Miss fans tailgate before, during, and after football games. Tents cover the 10

acre gras