Revision as of 20:36, 5 January 2007

The word Koofer almost unknown on other campuses, became a part of Virginia Tech language sometime in the early 1940s.

It refers to an old test or problem that has been saved or found and is consulted later (sometimes illicitly) by a student who has not yet taken the test or worked the problem. The term was coined by students at Virginia Tech's now defunct Extension branch at Bluefield College who later transferred to Blacksburg, Virginia, bringing the word with them.

The word had its origin in "coffer," a legitimate synonym for a strongbox. Some students at Bluefield had access to a coffer there that contained files of old tests and problems, and they soon came to refer to the materials themselves as "coffers." In time, the sound of the word was softened to "coofer," and still later the spelling was changed to "koofer."

External Links

Koofers and the Virginia Tech Honor System
Listserv discussion including the word 'koofer' (search the page for "Puckett" to find the appropriate entry)

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 The word had its origin in "[[coffer]]," a legitimate synonym for a strongbox. Some students at Bluefield had access to a coffer there that contained files of old tests and problems, and they soon came to refer to the materials themselves as "coffers." In time, the sound of the word was softened to "coofer," and still later the spelling was changed to "koofer."
 = External Links =
 * [http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/1/ARTICLE/5398/2005-04-19.html Koofers and the Virginia Tech Honor System]
 * [http://www.americandialect.org/americandialectarchives/mar96.txt Listserv discussion including the word 'koofer'] (search the page for "Puckett" to find the appropriate entry)
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 [[Category:Academics|Academics]]
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 [[Category:Learning]]
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