I have been away from Minnesota for almost 20 years, so I completely forgot we called it "The U". I remember it being the "U of M", but I lost that part of my vocabulary too, because I learned other schools also refer to themselves as that.
I just have to say it in full when talking to others, "The University of Minnesota". I can't even just say "The Minnesota Gophers", because people usually don't even know what I am talking about. I have to make sure I use the word "University". People outside of Big Ten country are generally clueless.
I just have to say it in full when talking to others, "The University of Minnesota". I can't even just say "The Minnesota Gophers", because people usually don't even know what I am talking about. I have to make sure I use the word "University". People outside of Big Ten country are generally clueless.