What's a Hoya?

Hey Georgetown,

What is a HOYA?

While at Georgetown University campus, I been questioning a lot of students on the meaning behind the "Hoya Saxa" yell..... and I am yet to find an answer to it, there is not one person who was able to explain it clearly, or not question themselves on what a Hoya Saxa is. Most students that I have been around explained where it originated but still finds themselves confused in the true meaning of it. All students just translates the Hoya Saxa Greek word to "What Rocks"/... Ok, then "What rocks? really?" why is a chant a question.. ugh  where did Hoya Saxa saying come from? Its such a strange cheer, for a school whos mascot is a "Bulldog."

According to Georgetown.edu.....

No one seems to know exactly when or how the term “Hoya Saxa” was first used at Georgetown. Many years ago, there was a team at Georgetown called the “Stonewalls,” and it is suggested that a student applied the Greek and Latin terms and dubbed them “Hoya Saxa,” meaning “what rocks!” Hoya has since become a nickname for Georgetown’s athletic teams and students.

Hoia is from the Greek word hoios, meaning “such a” or “what a.” The neuter plural of this word is hoia, which agrees with the neuter plural of the Latin word saxa, meaning rocks; thus we have hoya— substituting the letter “y” for “i.” Before 1900, every Georgetown student studied both Greek and Latin, so there was no need to explain what the expression meant.

Still complicated, I get it, but I don't. Just like the students on campus, I don't even think GU really knows it how it came up and what made it stick around over the years...... but hey...

HOYA SAXA!!!!!!