It doesnt bother me. Sometimes I use the term myself, in a non-derogatory way.

yea i dont ususally use it really either, the thing about the "frat guy" is just what i have been told bye frineds in a fraternity. i think frat just sounds dumb anyways.

I was more vigilant about it in college, but I've used the term a few times. I try not to, but it happens.

It's just one of those things that is ok in some orgs, not ok in other orgs. Just another difference among the many GLO's.

Never heard it among NPC organizations but many LGLOs and MGLOs use it.

Well, it is my understanding that a lot of fraternities are closer to frats than we think.

I think that when an organization is worthy to go from a frat to a fraternity, then it should be reflected in the name.

Here's my thing.
yes some people find it degrating, but it is is also 1 syllable compared to 4. it comes out easier. and while some get offend, many more use it themselves. it is kinda like the rush/plege/rushee thing with NPC. We know we aren't supposed to say it, but it is soooooo much easier than recruitment/new member/ PNM. it is a matter of symantics, i think the context should be more important than the word. Maybe instead of being offended, NIC needs to reclaim the word. Just like the gay community and 'queer' just a thought, it would be much easier.

The same reason that loyal students and alumni of the California Institute of Technology call it "CalTech," that student and alumni of the countless "___ State" colleges and universities will call those institutions simply "State," that some people will refer to the President of the United States (or the president of any other group) as "The Pres" (same goes for "The Gov"), or that we say "LA," "Vegas" or "Philly." Shortening names of things is a time-honored practice in the English language -- often it is considered to indicate affection or familiarity.

Yes, the word "frat" for many people carries an Animal House connotation -- some people use the word intending that connotation to be understood, while others use it quite innocently. I've rarely heard a member of fraternity use it, unless perhaps speaking only with his brothers. But I think it's silly to take offense at the word if no offense is intended.

And could we please stop trotting out the lame "you wouldn't call your country...." analagy? No, one wouldn't call one's country a ____, but the reason has nothing to do with the idea that it's disrespectful to one's country to shorten the word "country" and everything to do with the fact that the shortened-form of "country, unlike the shortened form of "fraternity," happens to be a particularly offensive obscenity.

Well put, MysticCat81. I agree.

level of sophistication, etc.
 

You can use "frat" and you can say "y'know" or "hear what I'm
sayin'" all you want.
Your usage of English reflects your attitude and level of speech.
"Frat" is neither cute nor a substitute for fraternity. If this is too
hard to grasp, why did you bother...coming to college?
Whether you will admit it or not, you joined a GLO to better yourself, or to become 'a cut above.' We are not, though, a rehabilitation society. Flush "frat" from your vocabulary.

Re: level of sophistication, etc.
 

People might listen to you if you weren't so condescending.

Who are you to tell someone else how they should feel about a word?

Time to refill the chill pills, Erik.

It urks you to hear someone say "frat." I can respect that that. Since it's not a word that I typically use, I guess I don't have to worry about offending you, at least not in this particular way.

But unless you are the one speaker of English in the States (excuse me, in the United States of America -- I should be more respectful and not shorten the name of my country) who does not use slang, colloquilisms, acronyms, or the like, then give the whole "why did you come to college?" rant and the suggestion that someone who uses the word "frat" is the educational equivalent of a meathead (oops, there's slang again) who punctuates every clause with "you know" a rest.

This is the time where someone says "there are so many more important things fraternities have to deal with than whether or not they are called 'frat'."

my. my
 

my. my. aren't we testy?
If you ever get out and get a job, or if you ever get out to make
a living...other than a short-sleeved bureaucrat working for the
government, perhaps it may dawn on you the importance of the
usage of good language.
About condesension...if you like long enough you, too, will become a judge.

Re: my. my
 

All this talk about proper English good sir, yet you speak like a loon on Greekchat.com.

-Rudey
--You're fired!

Just wanted to repeat this.