Abbreviation of the phrase, "
Big Name On Campus", word originally popularised by Sheffield University students but applicable to most modern universities. Contrasted to LNOC, or "Little Name on Campus".
Usually associated with a certain type of person, comprising some (or all) of the following characteristics:
- General sense of superiority and
self-importance
- "A degree is more than just studying" types, who often
criticise hard-working students for
shunning extra-curricular 'activities' in order to concentrate of on the 'raison d'etre' of being at university, namely working hard and gaining valuable skills for future employment
- Private education
- Lack of life skills, synonymous with the "
Mummy's girl/boy" type
- Membership of 'student activist' and 'champagne socialist' groupings including those such as
Palestinian Solidarity campaigns, which launch futile campaigns against arms companies and
boycott Israeli products - while their members use Facebook on their Iphones and drink Starbucks coffee. This is often of particular annoyance to non-BNOCs, who see no issue with the eating of Israeli dates or employment by BAE Systems
- Intense sense of 'morality' and 'ethical living', seen in such ill-thought out and infuriating activities such as bottle water bans
- Constant discussion of union politics and student officer elections, seen by many students as a poor use of public money
"Wow, I'm sitting opposite a BNOC in the
libary"
"Sorry, this room is
reserved for BNOCs"
"Have you heard that we
live with a BNOC?"
"I felt belittled by the presence of so many BNOCS"