- The term “Gökalpolypse” was coined to humorously capture the emotional sense of unpreparedness for a test, with apocalypse acting as hyperbole. Gökalpolypse differs in sound from its components. Though Gökalp is stressed on the first syllable, Gökalpolypse is stressed on the second syllable as is apocalypse. Neither Gökalp nor apocalypse have a second /o/ sound, though Gökalpolypse does. The second /ə/ sound in apocalypse seems to have been assimilated with the stressed /o/ in Gökalp. The change from a central vowel to a back vowel creates a contrasting “A B A” sound structure within the word, giving it a clear emphasis on the second syllable similar to the sound structure of apocalypse. The sound /o/ plays a cultural role in Math 212. Memes about the class often prominently feature ö, homework on Canvas is labeled as ödevler, and the class has erupted in chants of “Go Gökalp”; this sound change may have been subconsciously influenced by class culture, though another likely explanation is simply someone pronouncing apocalypse incorrectly and everyone else following.
Gökalpolypse
blending; noun
A humorous term referring to a test for Math 212 at Rice University for students in Professor Gökalp Alpan’s section.
Etymology : Blend formed from Turkish Gökalp and English apocalypse.
Source : : “Have you begun studying for the Gökalpolypse? Our midterm is next week.” (Friend, October 2017).
Last modified: 27 November 2017