Caius
Caius is the short name of Gonville and Caius College, pronounced "Keys", after its second founder, the physician John Caius. Saying "KAI-us" is the quickest way to reveal you are new to Cambridge.
In practice
The College was founded in 1348 by Edmund Gonville and refounded in 1557 by John Caius, who had studied there and whose surname was a Latinised form of Keys. He built three gates through which students pass during their College life - the Gates of Humility, Virtue and Honour - which still stand. Caius is in the centre of town, opposite the Senate House.
Why it matters to newcomers
Pronunciation traps are part of Cambridge folklore. Caius is the classic one; others include Magdalene College, pronounced "Maudlin", and Queens', where the apostrophe after the "s" matters because the College was founded by two queens.
Related
- College - Caius is one of 31
- Master - the title of its head
- Porter and the Porters' Lodge - where to ask the way
Source: Gonville and Caius College.