If you have ever watched a Texas A&M football game, you have probably heard the crowd shout Gig ‘Em! It is loud.
It is proud. And if you are new to it, it might sound a little strange. What does it even mean? Where did it come from? And why do Aggies love it so much?
This article will answer all of that. We will look at the meaning of Gig ‘Em, where it started, how people use it today, and why it matters so much to Texas A&M fans.
By the end, you will know everything there is to know about this famous phrase.
Definition and Meaning
Gig ‘Em is a battle cry used by students, fans, and alumni of Texas A&M University. The school is located in College Station, Texas. The people connected to Texas A&M are called Aggies.
The word gig means to stab or poke with a sharp tool called a gig. A gig is a long stick with a sharp point at the end. Farmers and hunters used gigs to catch frogs and fish. You stick the point into the frog to catch it. That act is called gigging.
So when someone says Gig ‘Em, they are saying Get ’em! or Stab ’em! like you are going after the other team with full force. The ‘Em part is short for them. Put it all together and it means: go after them hard and do not stop.
The mascot of Texas A&M is the Reveille, a rough collie dog. But the spirit tied to the Gig ‘Em phrase is the Aggie. The word Aggie comes from the school’s roots in agriculture. Early Texas A&M students studied farming and science. The gig was a tool they knew well.
Usage and Examples
Gig ‘Em is used in many ways. The most common way is as a hand sign. Texas A&M fans hold up their hand with the thumb pointing up and all four fingers folded down. This is called the Gig ‘Em thumbs up. It looks like you are giving a thumbs up, but it has a much deeper meaning for Aggies.
You will see this hand sign at football games, basketball games, and other Texas A&M events. Students do it in photos. Fans do it in the stands. Even the school president has been seen throwing it up at big games.
The phrase is also used as a greeting. If one Aggie meets another Aggie anywhere in the world, they might say Gig ‘Em! and the other person will say it right back. It is like a secret handshake, but with words.
Here are some common ways people use it:
- A fan yells Gig ‘Em, Aggies! during a football game.
- A student posts a graduation photo online with the caption Gig ‘Em!
- Two strangers wearing Texas A&M shirts spot each other at an airport and say Gig ‘Em! to each other.
- A coach gives a pregame speech and ends it with Let’s go out there and Gig ‘Em!
It works as a cheer, a greeting, a sign of school pride, and even a way to say goodbye. It is one of those phrases that carries a whole world of meaning in just two words.
Common Contexts and Applications
Gig ‘Em shows up in many places beyond just sports. It is deeply woven into the culture of Texas A&M University.
At football games, it is the number one cheer. Texas A&M plays in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their games are huge events. Thousands of fans fill Kyle Field, which is one of the biggest football stadiums in the country. When the Aggies score or make a big play, the crowd erupts with Gig ‘Em!
At graduation, students walk across the stage and many of them flash the Gig ‘Em hand sign while getting their diploma. It is a proud moment tied to their school spirit.
In everyday life, Aggies use the phrase when they sign letters, emails, and social media posts. Some people end text messages with Gig ‘Em! the same way others might end a message with Go team!
On merchandise, you will see Gig ‘Em on hats, shirts, mugs, phone cases, and bumper stickers. It is one of the most recognized phrases in college sports.
At reunions and alumni events, Gig ‘Em brings people together. No matter how many years have passed since someone graduated, saying Gig ‘Em brings back memories of their time at Texas A&M.
The phrase also appears in news headlines when reporters write about Texas A&M sports. Sports writers will often use it as a fun nod to the school’s culture.
Where Did Gig ‘Em Come From?
The origin story of Gig ‘Em goes back to 1930. That year, Texas A&M was getting ready to play TCU Texas Christian University. The night before the game, students held a yell practice. Yell practices are a Texas A&M tradition where students gather the night before a game to rehearse cheers.
At that yell practice, a student named Pinky Downs stood up. He was a former student and a big fan of the team. He told the crowd that the Aggies were going to go out there and beat TCU. Then he asked the crowd: What are we going to do to those TCU Horned Frogs?
The crowd roared back: Gig ‘Em, Aggies!
The phrase stuck. From that night forward, Gig ‘Em became the battle cry of Texas A&M. It was the perfect fit. The Horned Frog is a symbol of TCU. And a gig is used to catch frogs. The crowd connected those two ideas in a single moment, and a legend was born.
Since then, the phrase has been used at every Texas A&M event. It has grown from a football cheer into a full symbol of Aggie identity.
Similar Terms or Alternatives
Every college has its own battle cry. Here are a few similar terms from other schools so you can see how Gig ‘Em fits into the bigger picture.
| School | Battle Cry | Meaning |
| Texas A&M | Gig ‘Em | Go after them hard |
| University of Texas | Hook ‘Em (Horns) | Show the longhorn hand sign |
| Oklahoma | Boomer Sooner | School pride cheer |
| LSU | Geaux Tigers | Go Tigers (French spelling) |
| Alabama | Roll Tide | Crimson Tide team cheer |
| Ohio State | O-H-I-O | Spelling out the state name |
As you can see, most schools have a phrase that ties to their mascot or history. Gig ‘Em is special because it has a clear story behind it and a matching hand gesture. That combination makes it one of the most recognized battle cries in all of college sports.
The closest rival to Gig ‘Em is Hook ‘Em Horns from the University of Texas. These two schools are big rivals. Aggies use Gig ‘Em and Longhorns use Hook ‘Em. Fans of each school love to show their hand signs at each other during rivalry games.
Common Misconceptions
Some people hear Gig ‘Em for the first time and get confused. Here are a few common mix-ups.
Misconception 1: It is just a thumbs up.
The Gig ‘Em hand sign looks like a thumbs up, but it is not the same thing. A regular thumbs up means good job or I agree. The Gig ‘Em sign is tied to Texas A&M pride and school spirit. Context matters.
Misconception 2: Only football fans use it.
Gig ‘Em is used by all Texas A&M fans, not just football fans. Students use it at every sport, at academic events, and in daily life. It is a sign of belonging to the Aggie community.
Misconception 3: It is an old phrase that no one uses anymore.
Wrong. Gig ‘Em is very much alive. Texas A&M has one of the most active and loyal fan bases in college sports. The phrase is used every single day by students, alumni, and fans all over the world.
Misconception 4: You have to be a student to use it.
Anyone who supports Texas A&M can say Gig ‘Em. Family members, friends, and fans who never attended the school use it all the time. It is a sign of support for the team and the school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gig ‘Em mean in simple words?
Gig ‘Em means go after them or get them. It is a battle cry used by Texas A&M fans to show support for their team.
Who started the Gig ‘Em cheer?
A former student named Pinky Downs is credited with starting it at a yell practice in 1930, the night before a game against TCU.
What is the Gig ‘Em hand sign?
The Gig ‘Em hand sign is a thumbs up with the four fingers folded down. It represents the gig tool used to spear frogs, which ties into the origin story of the cheer.
Why do Aggies say Gig ‘Em to each other?
It is a way for Aggies to connect and show school pride. No matter where they are in the world, saying Gig ‘Em to another Aggie creates an instant bond.
Is Gig ‘Em used only at football games?
No. Gig ‘Em is used at all Texas A&M sporting events, graduation ceremonies, alumni gatherings, and even in everyday greetings and social media posts.
What school uses the Gig ‘Em cheer?
Only Texas A&M University uses Gig ‘Em. It is their official battle cry and a key part of their school culture.
Can non-students use Gig ‘Em?
Yes. Anyone who supports Texas A&M fans, family, friends can use Gig ‘Em. It is a sign of support and community, not just a student thing.
Conclusion
Gig ‘Em is more than just a cheer. It is the heart of Texas A&M culture. It started with one bold moment at a yell practice in 1930 and grew into one of the most loved battle cries in college sports.
The hand sign, the history, and the community behind it make Gig ‘Em truly special.
You are a lifelong Aggie or just learning about Texas A&M for the first time, now you know exactly what Gig ‘Em means and why it matters. And the next time you see someone throw up that thumbs up hand sign, you will know that is an Aggie showing their pride.
My name is Maya Angelou, and I am the creator of Meaningg.com. I am passionate about sharing knowledge, meanings, and useful information with readers around the world. Through Meaningg.com, I aim to make learning simple, engaging, and accessible for everyone. I enjoy researching, writing, and helping people discover the meaning behind words and ideas.
