Why does OSU get the definate article?

[Pseudolus]

Why is OSU generally referred to as "the Ohio State University", and not just "Ohio State University"? Who do they think they are, Donald Trump?

[Aaron Brachowitz]

Seems like this annoying "the" popped up around 8-10 years ago, copied by a few schools since. I'm almost certain that a "branding consultant" was involved and received a large fee to come up with three little letters.

[JMO]

It's to distinguish them from Oregon State University. (or not)

[Judge Dredd]

It's always been part of their TV commercials.

"The Ohio State University". I suspect a few other universitys are the same way. But it kinda caught on as a joke when one of those alums said "THE" before OSU when they did those line up thingys on monday night football.

....FWIW, I am totally pulling this out of my ***. I have no clue.

[Fun King ded]

Ego

distinguish themselves from Ohio University - there was some sort of battle about this

Ego

[carrot]

There were a lot of other Ohio State Universities crawling out of the woodwork and THE Ohio State University had to take a stand and set themselves apart.

[Brutè]

Why is OSU generally referred to as "the Ohio State University", and not just "Ohio State University"? Who do they think they are, Donald Trump?Jealous?

[1695814]

Seems like this annoying "the" popped up around 8-10 years ago, copied by a few schools since. fwiw, back in the late 1980s I remember this being a point of emphasis.

[Brutè]

Seems like this annoying "the" popped up around 8-10 years ago, copied by a few schools since. I'm almost certain that a "branding consultant" was involved and received a large fee to come up with three little letters.They've been doing that since at least 1989. I don't know why. We used to make fun of it as undergrads. The window stickers used to minimize the 'The' as such:

The Ohio State Univeristy

Now the 'The' is the same size as the rest of the letters.

[Pseudolus]

Why did I mispel "definite"?

Anywho, I think the rest of it should only refer to it - if we have to refer to it at all- as "An Ohio State University". At least until those pretentious snots cut it out.

[egg]

Why did I mispel "definite"?


So OSU fans could understand you?

[tommie frazier]

i remember seeing it on their logo or team bus or something in 1990. assumed it was part of their official name.

[Take 2]

Oklahoma State University has more than just good initials.

[lipman]

Oklahoma State University has more than just good initials.


Yeah, an alcoholic basketball coach, Eskimo Joe's, and some girl I met at camp.

[Brutè]

So OSU fans could understand you?What kind of car does Jim Tressel own?

[carrot]

What kind of car does Jim Tressel own?I dunno. An infinati?

[carrot]

So the The OSU fans could understand you?IFYP.

[Fun King ded]

What kind of car does Jim Tressel own?
He drives one given to him. I don't know if he owns it.

[Jack]

Why is it "The Beatles" but not "The Led Zepplin"?

[Jables]

Why did I mispel "definite"?

Why did you misspell "misspell"?

[Brutè]

He drives one given to him. I don't know if he owns it.I didn't ask about the one he drives, I asked about the one he owns....Loyd Carr!

[Swamp Donkey]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

. . . but it's Lloyd, not Loyd

[Brutè]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

. . . but it's Lloyd, not LoydOops. I knew that. Typo. Oh well, I'm an OSU grad...:D

[Pseudolus]

So OSU fans could understand you?Yeah, that must've been it. Thanks for reminding me!

[Da Bears!]

Why is OSU generally referred to as "the Ohio State University", and not just "Ohio State University"?
Because they are not Ohio, THE State University

[Pseudolus]

Because they are not Ohio, THE State UniversityHuh?

[Mayor Adam West]

Why is OSU generally referred to as "the Ohio State University", and not just "Ohio State University"?

It's to emphasize the fact that you don't have to be well educated to be pretentious.

[Travis]

it's probably the same reason OSU gets the definite article.

[Roto]

One of the things that really brought it to the forefront was the late-1990's era MN Vikings.

They were an offensive juggernaut, with lots of national exposure, and multiple OSU grads starring on Offense (CC, Stringer, Bob Smith).

These clowns all really emphasized the "THE" in OSU when stating their name/school during the televised line-up introductions. Until they started doing this, I had known about the "The" but pretty much ignored it. This group of alum made it impossible to ignore.

[carrot]

Oops. I knew that. Typo. Oh well, I'm a The OSU grad...:DIFYP.

[carrot]

It's to emphasize the fact that you don't have to be well educated to be pretentious.
:lol:

[Brutè]

IFYP.Thanks!

[Judge Dredd]

THE :lol:

IFYP

[Swamp Donkey]

One of the things that really brought it to the forefront was the late-1990's era MN Vikings.

They were an offensive juggernaut, with lots of national exposure, and multiple OSU grads starring on Offense (CC, Stringer, Bob Smith).

grads?!? That's a wee bit of a stetch. Let's just say the they played the football at the OSU

[Aeyyyyyy]

Anywho, I think the rest of it should only refer to it - if we have to refer to it at all- as "An Ohio State University". At least until those pretentious snots cut it out.
Fonz is quoting this because he thinks it's one of the greatest ideas he's ever heard and will do his part for the rest of his life.

Aeyyyyyy! :tup:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

From the The OSU web site:


Classes began at the new college on September 17, 1873. Twenty-four students met at the old Neil farm just two miles north of Columbus. In 1878 the college's name was changed to The Ohio State University. In that same year the first class of six men graduated, and in 1879, the university graduated its first woman.

Nearly always been that way.

[Westley]

From the The OSU web site:
Classes began at the new college on September 17, 1873. Twenty-four students met at the old Neil farm just two miles north of Columbus. In 1878 the college's name was changed to The Ohio State University. In that same year the first class of six men graduated, and in 1879, the university graduated its first woman.


Nearly always been that way.

I believe the correct acronym is "tOSU", not "The OSU".

So, 24 people started in 1873, and five years later, six of them graduated. Setting a precedent still observed by their football teams today...

[Mick Fan]

I believe the correct acronym is "tOSU", not "The OSU".

So, 24 people started in 1873, and five years later, six of them graduated. Setting a precedent still observed by their football teams today...

OSU (or tOSU) is not an acronym; it is an abbreviation, unless people intend to pronounce it "Oh-Soo". An acronym is a special form of an abbreviation with the added characteristic in which it spells out a word (RADAR, NaBisCo).

[carrot]

I guess I've always just called it Ohio State University, because I got so used to saying it during the period from 1873 to 1878. Why would they go and change it like that? Just to mess with people?

[carrot]

Anywho, I think the rest of it should only refer to it - if we have to refer to it at all- as "An Ohio State University". At least until those pretentious snots cut it out.Fonz is quoting this because he thinks it's one of the greatest ideas he's ever heard and will do his part for the rest of his life.

Aeyyyyyy! :tup:A Fonz said it, so I guess that's how it's gotta be.

[Alex_OSU]

As a current (t)OSU student, I can't really defend the "The." I think it mostly just makes people from "Other" Ohio State Universities (Like Toledo, Miami, BGSU, etc.) hate us. Students and professors refer to it as Ohio State, or OSU. "The" is rarely used, and I think when used, it is mostly in jest.

As an aside, I think I remember Ohio University suing Ohio State a few years back for the use of "Ohio" on athletic merchandise and such. I think they even challenged the naming of Ohio Stadium, and maybe our Alma Mater, "Carmen Ohio." Now all Ohio State clothes explicitly keep the State in the label.