Over the course of its history, the Burning Man community has developed its own peculiar lexicon, an organic outgrowth the culture, and of the unique landscape of the Black Rock Desert where the event takes place. Are we missing something? Let us know!
A
Ancestors
Spiraling, tornado-like dust plumes that traverse the playa, produced by wind and thermal phenomena. It is a traditional belief of the Paiute that these plumes represent the spirits of their ancestors. (The term “dust devil” is considered to be offensive in this tradition.)
Arctica
Site of ice sales in Black Rock City (in Center Camp, with satellite locations in the 3:00 and 9:00 Plazas).
Art Bike
A decorated or “mutated” bicycle; preferred method of transporting oneself around Black Rock City.
Art Cars
See Mutant Vehicles.
ARTery
The artist resource center in BRC that facilitates the placement and display of art on the playa during the event. Also provides information to participants about the art and artists.
B
Bacon
A type of cured, smoked pork belly, uncommonly popular among Burners who eat meat (and some who usually don’t).
Baker Beach
San Francisco beach where Burning Man originated in 1986.
Black Rock
A large dark mountain formation at the north end of the playa.
Black Rock City
(BRC) The annual temporary city in Nevada created by the community of Burning Man participants.
Black Rock Gazette
The city’s first onsite daily newspaper, founded by Danger Ranger in 1992 and staffed by volunteers; it ended production in 2007.
Black Rock Ranger
Participants who volunteer a portion of their time in service of the safety and well-being of the Burning Man community. Rangers act as non-confrontational community mediators, providers of reliable information, facilitators of public safety, and navigators of the edge of chaos. Found in Black Rock City and at many Regional events.
BLM
Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency that administers public lands including the Black Rock Desert where Burning Man is held.
BMIR
Burning Man Information Radio, 94.5 FM, the Voice of the Man. Black Rock City’s official radio station for news and information.
BMP
Burning Man Project is the nonprofit in service to a global cultural movement advancing a more creative, connected and thriving society. (Not The Org, Not BMorg.)
BRC
Black Rock City, the temporary Nevada metropolis that is home to the Burning Man event.
BWB
Burners Without Borders, a grassroots, volunteer-driven, community leadership program of the Burning Man Project. BWB’s goal is to unlock creativity to solve local problems and bring about meaningful change. BWB supports volunteers around the world in innovative civic solutions and community resiliency projects.
Burn Platform
A protective barrier placed under fire installations to prevent discoloration of the playa surface. (See “Burn scar”).
Burn scar
A lasting discoloration of the playa surface due to a fire built directly on the lakebed. A kind of environmental damage prevented through the use of elevated burn platforms and other preventative barriers for large burns.
Burn, the
Reference to the actual event, and activity, of burning the Burning Man or central figure at a Burning Man event.
Burner
One who pursues a way of life based on the values reflected in the Ten Principles of Burning Man.
C
Cacophony Society
An influential source of many of the concepts and principles of Burning Man, the Cacophony Society was “a randomly gathered network of individuals united in the pursuit of experiences beyond the mainstream.” Many of Burning Man’s founders were members of the San Francisco group. You may already be a member.
Center Camp
A circular area in “downtown” Black Rock City, featuring camps, the Canopy, and the Keyhole, the city’s main opening to the promenade and open playa.
Center Camp Canopy
Large circular communal shade structure located in Center Camp of Black Rock City; a locus of public events and interaction. Notably one of the largest tensile shade structures on Earth.
Civic Responsibility
One of the 10 Principles of Burning Man which states: “We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.”
Collexodus
The annual process of collecting unused supplies from departing participants for use by the Playa Restoration crew during Black Rock City’s event strike and desert restoration.
Communal Effort
One of Burning Man’s 10 Principles which states: “Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.”
Cultural Co-Founders
Historically, the six founders of Black Rock City LLC: Larry Harvey, Marian Goodell, Harley Dubois, Michael Mikel (Danger Ranger), Will Roger, and Crimson Rose.
D
Darkwad
Term for a participant who walks or rides on the playa at night without adequate lighting to their body or vehicle to avoid collisions and injuries with rolling conveyances such as bikes, Mutant Vehicles, and Emergency Service vehicles.
Decommodification
One of the Ten Principles of Burning Man. “In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience.”
Decompression
In-person celebratory gatherings held shortly after Burning Man to reconnect its participants, and to welcome those who could not participate in Black Rock City. Also: A state of melancholy, anger or frustration which sets in when trying to readjust to “normal” life after one has attended a Burning Man event.
Deep Playa
In Black Rock City, the area of open playa behind the Man, particularly the outer realms near the perimeter trash fence.
Default World
Colloquial phrase for the rest of the world that is not Black Rock City.
Dehydration
A commonly experienced medical condition in BRC’s desert climate, unless adequate hydration is maintained; a frequent cause of visits to the medical tent.
DMV (Department of Mutant Vehicles)
A department comprise of dedicated volunteers who review and register Mutant Vehicles, the only exception to Burning Man’s no-driving rules for private vehicles. (See: Mutant Vehicles.)
Donner Award
Colloquial name for an individual or group who pushes the limits of personal survival through stupidity, inattention or just bad luck during the event. Previously, an annual unofficial “award;” often used generally for any boneheaded playa antics.
Doobie Lane
A folk-art, monument-lined road near Gerlach, built by Doobie Williams, who passed away at age 76 in 1995. Also known as Guru Road.
DPW
The Department of Public Works is the workforce that plans, surveys, builds, and deconstructs the foundational infrastructure of our temporary city in the Black Rock Desert. Since 1998 the DPW has worked side by side with all of the departments within the Burning Man Project to institute the City Plan and bring Black Rock City into existence.
Dust Devils
See Ancestors.
E
Earth Guardians
A subgroup of Burning Man participants who work with the BLM to care for the Black Rock Desert; one of the oldest volunteer groups at Burning Man. Earth Guardians are trained in Leave No Trace techniques and help educate Black Rock City.
ESD
Emergency Services Department. In Black Rock City, ESD provides fire protection and emergency medical services.
Esplanade
In Black Rock City, the innermost ring road facing the Man; the “main drag.”
Exodus
The process and organization of the mass participant departure from BRC at the end of the event.
F
Fallopian Tubes
The two long roads that connect Black Rock City’s Gate with the principal grid of numbered and lettered streets.
FAST
Fire Art Safety Team. Supports artists employing open fire or flame effects in Black Rock City.
Fire Conclave
A group of volunteers who bring the gift of fire performance to Black Rock City each year, creating the largest gathering of fire dancers in the world on the night of the Burn.
Fire Dancing or Fire Performance
The art of dancing with fire, usually in the form of poi, staff, hoops, clubs, fans, or other devices.
First Camp
Historically, the camp where Burning Man founders reside in Black Rock City. The term “first” refers not to rank or precedent, but to the fact that in early years, founder Will Roger was the first person to arrive on site and set up this camp on the otherwise empty playa.
Flame effect
The combustion of solids, liquids, or gases to produce thermal, physical, visual, or audible phenomena before an audience. This includes all flames that are automated, switched, pressurized or have any other action than simply being lit on fire, as well as projects using propane or other liquid or gaseous fuels.
Fluffer
A DPW volunteer crew who supports other volunteer teams in the field with drinking water, snacks, and other survival necessities during BRC’s build and strike.
Fly Ranch
A 5.6 square mile sanctuary in Nevada, home to plants, animals, and the Fly Geyser hot springs. A Burning Man rural center for interactive arts, community participation, and public benefit. Fly is an oasis of art and ecology that inspires awe and wonder. People gather year-round to explore, create, and innovate.
FOMO
Fear of Missing Out, a harmless mental disorder caused by the overwhelming scope of things to do and see in Black Rock City. May lead to sleep deprivation. Hint: You cannot possibly see it all.
G
Gate
The entry membrane between the Default World and Black Rock City, where tickets are collected, safety and vehicle checks are conducted, and the outside world is left behind.
Gate road
The path connecting Black Rock City’s gate to Route 34, the nearest paved road.
Gifting
One of the 10 Principles of Burning Man. Gifting is the act of giving something (material or otherwise) to another person without any expectation of receiving something in return.
Greeter
Volunteer squadron who welcome participants to Black Rock City upon arrival; the next stop after tickets are processed at the Gate.
Grey water
“Used” water that has been contaminated by soap, toothpaste, playa dust, food residue, or similar pollutants. Like “black water” from toilet tanks, it needs to be carefully collected and removed from Black Rock City, never left on the playa.
Guru Lane
AKA Doobie Lane, a folk-art monument-lined road 3 miles from Gerlach, built by local resident Doobie Williams, who passed away at age 76 in 1995.
H
Heat Exhaustion
A more serious form of dehydration.
HELCO
Fictional corporation created in a staged attempt to take over and “buy” Burning Man in 1996.
Hot springs
Geothermal springs in the Black Rock Desert area. All area hot springs are closed to the public during the Burning Man event to prevent damage to these fragile ecosystems.
I
ICS
Incident Command System, an action plan to be used by the Rangers in the event of serious emergencies and public safety issues.
Immediacy
One of the 10 Principles of Burning Man. “Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.”
J
Jackrabbit Speaks
Email newsletter produced by Burning Man organization, sometimes referred to as the JRS. You should subscribe to it.
Java Cow
1990s-era community legend of a man-cow who appeared with hot coffee at sunrise on the morning of the Burn, asking the question: “Do you want cream or sugar?”
K
Khaki
Durable, tan-colored clothing which has become the standard uniform of the Rangers. Not to be confused with the ubiquitous tan-colored slacks worn by business-casual office drones the world over.
Kidsville
A kid-friendly village for families bringing their youngsters to Black Rock City.
L
Lamp Posts
The series of vertical lighting fixtures which line walkways and delineate areas of BRC.
Lamplighters
The volunteer group that lights kerosene lanterns each night of the Burning Man event to illuminate the esplanade and promenades, providing participants with valuable navigational aids.
Larry
Larry Harvey, Burning Man’s late founder and Chief Philosophical Officer.
Leave No Trace
An outdoor stewardship philosophy observed by campers and adherents the world over, which aims to avoid leaving human trace in wilderness areas. Leaving No Trace is also one of the Ten Principles of Burning Man. No really, we’re serious about this.
Line Walk
A form of MOOP cleanup executed by a group, walking in a line-abreast formation and collecting all debris in its path. Performed by individuals and camps at the end of the event, and again by Playa Restoration post-event. A way to assure Black Rock City leaves no trace.
M
Man Base
The structure at the base of the Man.
Man, the
Term used for the Burning Man statue.
Moonwalker
A participant who has become unaware of his environment and wanders the playa in a dream state. May need to be informed that the event has ended and he needs to go home.
MOOP
Matter Out Of Place. Litter, debris, rubbish…any non-native item, large or small, organic or man-made, that cannot be left behind in a leave no trace environment. All MOOP must be removed from the Black Rock Desert playa during and after Burning Man. The best defense against MOOP: “Never let it hit the ground.”
Mutant Vehicle
A motorized rolling conveyance that is radically, stunningly, (usually) permanently, and safely modified. Licensed by the DMV, and limited in number in accordance with BLM permits, these decorated vehicles for expression are a celebrated part of Burning Man culture.
N
Newbie
Any person who is attending Burning Man for the first time. Also sometimes called “Virgins.”
No Spectators
An original central tenet of the Burning Man philosophy. By blurring the line between audience and performer, creator and consumer, everyone becomes a participant.
Non Potable
A designation meaning water that is not safe for humans to drink or consume. The roads in Black Rock City are watered with non-potable water.
Numu, Newe
Burning Man Project hosts events and manages land in the desert on the original lands of the Numu (Northern Paiute) and Newe (Western Shoshone). The Numu lived off the land and stewarded its nature for more than 15,000 years before the arrival of Burning Man; they are still its rightful caretakers. Nevada has 27 federally recognized Tribes on reservations covering 2,500 square miles with approximately 30K to 50K enrolled members. Burning Man’s Reno office is in the traditional lands of the Washeshu (Washoe) and our HQ in San Francisco is on Ramaytush Ohlone land.
O
Obtainium
Any useful and valued material which is found or obtained for free. A significant source of Burning Man creativity.
Open Playa
The portion of the playa outside the BRC road grid and inside the pentagonal event space; public open space used exclusively for art installations.
P
Participant
Every person who sets foot in Black Rock City. Yes, that means you.
Participation
Another of Burning Man’s 10 Principles, it states: “Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.”
Perimeter
During the term of the Burning Man event, the city is surrounded by a perimeter fence, with controlled entry and exit procedures and a dedicated team of volunteer monitors.
Pickleback
A traditional beverage of the playa, consisting of a shot of whiskey followed by a chaser of pickle juice.
Piss Clear
Now-defunct, it was the 2nd newspaper to appear in BRC. The name is derived from the survival axiom, “Drink so much water that you piss clear.” Later became BRC Weekly (also defunct).
Playa
The Spanish word for beach, also used to describe dry lake beds in the American west such as the Black Rock Desert.
Playa Chicken
Community legend concerning a rare species of vicious, carnivorous poultry reputed to live in the Black Rock Desert. Any strange phenomenon that is not readily attributable to a known cause may be blamed on Playa Chickens.
Playa Currency
Euphemism referring to common items bearing unreasonably high value on playa, including beer, whisky, and bacon.
Playa dust
The dried silt of Lake Lahontan, the prehistoric lakebed that is now the Black Rock Desert. Its high alkaline pH makes it corrosive, and its extremely fine particulate gets it into just about everything.
Playa Foot
A malady where one’s feet become dry and cracked due to prolonged exposure to the highly alkaline desert floor. Typically treated with a mild acid solution such as vinegar water or lime juice, followed by moisturization and putting one’s shoes back on.
Playa Herpes
Glitter. (Yes, glitter is tiny but it’s still MOOP.)
Playa Info
Information booth located in Center Camp. Ask them anything. Really. Anything.
Playa Name
Originally spawned by the need for unique radio handles on the organizing staff’s walkie-talkie network, playa names have become almost ubiquitous alternate identities for all participants to use when at Burning Man. Playa names are traditionally given by fellow participants and based on specific personality, identity, or behaviors, rather than selected by the individual on their own.
Playa Platforms
Stuck-on mud that accumulates after a rain on the playa, when 2-3 inches of mud rapidly accumulates on the bottoms of your shoes, making you taller with each step.
Playafication (adj.: playafied)
The process by which all participants’ shoes/feet, hair, tents, carpets, furniture, vehicles, etc. become the same serene shade of beige due to the sheen of dust that coats everything on the playa.
Plug-n-play camp
See “Turnkey camp.”
Poi
A traditional dance form of the Maori people of New Zealand, in which tethered balls (“poi”) are swung in rhythmical and geometrical patterns. Many playa fire performances are based on the form.
Precompression
A party or event put on by Burners before Burning Man to get inspired for their upcoming experience. See also “Decompression,” which happens after a Burn event.
Project, the
Burning Man Project, the global nonprofit in service to a global cultural movement advancing a more creative, connected and thriving society.
Q
Quinn River
Located at the northeast side of Black Rock Desert, this springtime river floods onto the playa, and then dries up during the summer.
R
Radical Inclusion
One of the 10 Principles of Burning Man which states that anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.
Radical Self-expression
“Radical self-expression arises from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient.” One of the 10 Principles of Burning Man.
Radical Self-reliance
Another of the 10 Principles of Burning Man: “Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on their inner resources.”
Ranger
(1) Black Rock City Ranger, a volunteer devoted to non-confrontational community mediation and the peaceful facilitation of public safety; (2) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ranger, a federal law enforcement officer.
Ranger HQ
Central base of operations for the Black Rock City Rangers in Black Rock City.
Rebar
Cheap steel rods often used for tent stakes.
Regional or Regional Burn
Any one of a number of global events organized by Regional Contacts and local communities to keep Burning Man alive all over the world.
Regional Contacts
Volunteer representatives of Burning Man who help connect Burners with fellow Burners outside of the Black Rock City event. All around the world, Regional Contacts help connect communities, produce events and share the Ten Principles with more participants.
RV fortress
Derogatory term for a camp made of walls of RV’s facing inward, with no welcoming public space for interaction.
S
Shin
The leader of a fire performance group or troupe, such as those who perform in the Great Circle before the burning of the Man.
Shirtcocker
A male participant who opts for nudity (but only on the lower half).
Solifuge
A predatory arachnid, one of the few life forms hardy enough to thrive on the playa in the dry season. Also known as Sun or Wind Scorpions, or solpugids. Harmless to human beings, these playa friends are active for several hours just after dark.
Sparkle Pony
Derogatory term for a participant who is overly reliant on the resources of friends, campmates, and the community at large to enable their Burning Man experience. Often fashionably attired, they may have packed too many costumes and not enough radical self-reliance.
Speed Bump
See “Darkwad.”
T
TAZ
Temporary Autonomous Zone, a term coined by writer Hakim Bey. (No, Burning Man isn’t one.)
Theme Camp
A campsite which creatively presents a participatory idea or concept and is designed to create an interactive experience for participants.
Trash fence
See “Perimeter.”
TTITD
That Thing In The Desert, a popular abbreviation for referencing Black Rock City.
Turnkey Camp
A camp that is set up and operated by third-party vendors on behalf of its fly-in or drive-in participants. Also called “Plug and Play” camps.
W
White-out
A violent dust storm producing near-zero visibility.
Water Truck
A roving truck spraying non-potable water on the roads of BRC for dust control. Sometimes pursued by pedestrians seeking to cool off. (Note: Inadvisable, see also Non-Potable.)