to major in/to minor in

[dervast]

Hello guys! I want to find out what the major in/minor in phrases mean. I havve found these two words in a college life related vocabulary.

Well i have just also noticed the double major phrase. Any clue ?
Thanking you in advance for your replies

[csheywood]

Originally Posted by dervast

Hello guys! I want to find out what the major in/minor in phrases mean. I havve found these two words in a college life related vocabulary.

Well i have just also noticed the double major phrase. Any clue ?
Thanking you in advance for your replies

Hello
Not being an American I hope I can give a clear and correct answer; I understand it to mean that at college one has a subject which takes up the majority of time - the subject you want to study as the main interest - hence the term 'major'. And, 'to minor in' the secondary subject, also of interest, but as a side-line. The phrases are used as verbs eg. I'm going to major in 20th century English Literature and I would like to minor in psychology. (This is just to illustrate the point.)
I guess the idea of double major is because both subjects are of equal importance eg Education and English.
The concept is not alien in the UK - they are just not British English expressions. I can't say if they are used in other parts of the world.
Hope this helps.