- ‘BNOC’ (pronounced /binɑk/) stands for Big Name On Campus. It is a label of status, because earning the title of ‘BNOC’ requires a person to be notable in some way. ‘BNOC’ is a type of acronym in which its letters are pronounced as if they formed an actual word, rather than spelling out the letters. The ‘campus’ aspect of BNOC is meant literally, since the word is primarily used on college campuses regarding college residents. Although, the term could probably be used to describe anyone who is well-known, regardless of setting. For example, it wouldn’t be outrageous to say that “Stephen Hawking is a BNOC of the physics community”. Currently, the word is mostly used in the context of college, but it could undergo generalization and refer to other contexts as well. The word, at least at Rice, tends to be used by students in reference to other students.
BNOC
acronym Noun
Someone, typically a college student, who is well-known and influential in their community
Etymology : Acronym made from the phrase “Big Name On Campus”. The origin of this phrase is unclear, but it might have been popularized by a movie or some other form of entertainment.
Source : “Martin is a BNOC” said by my O-Week advisor about my other O-Week advisor sometime in late August or early September
Last modified: 1 December 2016