Objective

The Burning Man Glossary is a glossary of terms related to Burning Man and the Burner culture.

Subjective

Glossary

A

• Arctica - Ice vendor locations in Black Rock City, situated at major plazas.

• Art Car (Mutant Vehicle) - Decorated, motorized rolling artworks permitted to drive on the playa.

• ARTery - Headquarters for Burning Man’s official art and artist coordination.

• Avenues - Clock-face streets running from 2:00 to 10:00, intersecting lettered streets.

B

• BLM - Bureau of Land Management, federal stewards of Black Rock Desert.

• BMOrg - Community slang for the Burning Man Organization, planners of the event.

• BRC - Black Rock City, the temporary city built for Burning Man.

• Burner - Any participant of Burning Man or Burner-inspired events, living by its 10 Principles.

• Burgin/Birgin/Virgin - First-time participant at Burning Man.

C

• Center Camp - Primary community hub with coffee, art, performance, and info.

• CORE - Circle of Regional Effigies; multiple large sculptures built and burned by regional groups.

• Collexodus - The post-event collection of unused supplies for teardown or donation.

• Culture Shock - Difficulty readjusting to the “default world” after Burning Man.

D

• Darkwad - A person walking the playa at night without illumination, considered a hazard.

• Default World - Life outside of Burning Man; the everyday ordinary world.

• Decommodification - One of the 10 Principles—rejecting commerce and sponsorship on the playa.

• DPW - Department of Public Works, builders/maintainers of Black Rock City.

• DMV - Department of Mutant Vehicles, processes and approves art cars.

E

• EL Wire - Electroluminescent wire used for decorating, lighting art, costumes, and bikes.

• ESD - Emergency Services Department, responsible for medical/fire response.

• Esplanade - The innermost ring road, bordering the Center Camp/Man plaza.

• Exodus - The event’s end and the mass coordinated departure from BRC.

F

• Fallopian Tubes - Twin entry roads connecting the gate to Black Rock City’s street grid.

• FAST - Fire Art Safety Team, assists with safe fire performance and effects.

• First Camp - Founder’s camp; historically where the first participants arrive.

• Fluffer - Support volunteer who brings water/snacks to crews.

• Fly Ranch - Burning Man Project’s property near Gerlach, NV, for year-round activities.

G

• Gifting - A core value—giving with no expectation of return.

• Greeter - Volunteer welcoming/initiating participants as they enter BRC.

H

• (No commonly accepted “H” terms surfaced)

I

• ICE 9/ICE CUBED - Playa ice sales at specific plazas.

J

• Java Cow - Legendary figure who dispenses sunrise coffee.

K

• (No commonly accepted “K” terms surfaced)

L

• Lamplighters - Volunteer group illuminating city with kerosene lanterns nightly.

• Larry - Larry Harvey, founder and first philosopher of Burning Man.

• Leave No Trace (LNT) - Principle demanding the playa be left as found—no MOOP remains.

• Line Walk - MOOP patrol by a group walking abreast.

M

• Man, The - The iconic wooden effigy at Burning Man’s center, burned each year.

• Man Base - Structure at the Man’s feet, often themed.

• Matter Out Of Place (MOOP) - trash or anything not originally part of the playa; all must be picked up.

• Media Wranglers - Media team steering event coverage.

• Moonwalker - Attendee wandering the playa in a daze or confusion.

• Mutant Vehicle - See “Art Car” above.

N

• (No commonly accepted “N” terms surfaced)

O

• Obtainium - Useful items acquired for free/gifted, e.g., for art projects or camps.

P

• Participation - Principle meaning everyone is expected to get involved, not spectate.

• Plaza - Public square at major city intersections; often vital services located here.

• The Playa - Black Rock Desert, event site, or shorthand for the entire event grounds.

• Playa Chicken - Playful myth about desert-dwelling chickens.

• Playa Dust - Ubiquitous, alkaline dust covering everything at Burning Man.

• Playa Foot - Dry/cracked feet caused by alkaline playa dust.

• Playa Magic - Burner slang for those “the playa provides” moments.

• Playa Name - Nickname earned (or adopted) while at Burning Man.

• Playafication - Residue of alkaline dust after the burn.

• Plug & Play (P&P) - Luxury camps providing paid turnkey experiences, often controversial.

• PORTO - Portable toilets scattered through BRC.

Q

• (No commonly accepted “Q” terms surfaced)

R

• Ranger - Volunteer mediators/security, not law enforcement—assist with conflict and safety.

• Regional - Decentralized, local “Burns” mirroring Black Rock City’s principles.

S

• Shirt Cocker - Male participant wearing only a shirt, nothing below the waist.

• Sparkle Pony - Someone who enjoys the sights without contributing or supporting others—unprepared, style-focused.

• Scum of the Earth - Derogatory for entitled “Plug & Play” or over-privileged attendees.

T

• Temple - Major structure devoted to reflection and remembrance, burned after the Man.

• Theme Camp - Themed collaborative camps providing interactive experiences/gifts to the broader city.

• 10 Principles - The core values guiding all official Burning Man activities.

• TTITD - “That Thing In The Desert”—Burner shorthand for Burning Man.

U

• (No commonly accepted “U” terms surfaced)

V

• Virgin - See “Burgin” above—first-time attendee at the event.

W

• WAP - Work Access Pass, allows theme camps/vendors early entry.

• WOOK - Stereotype of a disorganized, unprepared, substance-focused attendee.

Contexts

• #burning-man-lexicon (this is the Root Memo)

• #burning-man (See: Burning Man)

• #glossary (See: Glossary of Glossaries)