cow college

noun

, Informal.

1. an agricultural college.
2. a small, relatively unknown rural college.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cow college¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Idioms and Phrases

An agricultural college; any small, relatively unknown rural college. For example, He's never published a paper, but he might do all right in some cow college . This term uses cow in the somewhat pejorative sense of “provincial.” [c. 1910]

Example Sentences

In his post-graduate year in cow college, Dick devoted himself to laboratory work and cut all lectures.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't forget, my daughter, that your father knows the books as well as any cow college graduate from Oregon.

From Project Gutenberg

Been driving those cow-college boys down at Berkeley plumb crazy, I'll bet a prize colt!

From Project Gutenberg