Yes, for some orgs the secret motto is the name, for others it isn't. This is one of those areas where a blanket statement may not realy fit. For many (most?) orgs, the Greek letters stand for Greek words, but for some they do not stand for Greek words. For some they stand for a secret name (like old Kappa Alpha, which stood for Kuklos Adelphon or "Circle of Brothers.") For others, they stand for a motto that is separate from the name. For still others, they may stand for something else still.

Noy exactly. Yes, philosophy is derived from Greek roots meaning love of wisdom (philos and sophia). But that's not what it means. It means:

1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
2. any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.

(Thanks, dictionary.com)

In the context of the founding of Phi Beta Kappa, the implication is that rationality/reason, rather than, say, religious doctrine is the reliable guide of life.

Is that something that is open? Because the KA Society is still around.

Violetpretty, you're right about Phi Mu- example, the PA chapters usually start with Beta or Phi (Beta Mu, Beta Tau, Phi Lambda, Phi Kappa)

Sorry I wasn't more clear. I wasn't referring to KA Society or KA Order. I was referring to the organization sometimes called "Old KA," which was found throughout the South prior to the Civil War. Some sources say it was founded at the University of North Carolina around 1812; other sources say the University of Alabama (or elsewhere) sometime later. It didn't survive the Civil War.

ah ok. I never heard of Old KA. Learn something new everyday on GC.

Well, I used Phi Beta Kappa, because this is common knowledge (ie, its no longer secret). You can get this info on their website.

I thougth that was better then trying to either a) make something up or b) reveal another orgs secret info.

I think he meant "bad example" in the sense that I commented on above -- Phi Beta Kappa was a bad example of how the Greek letters are the initials of the group's real name, since FBK were the initials of the groups secret motto, not of the group's real name. ;)

Like Theta Chi which stands for Θηρόποσα Χείρ "The Helping Hand" or even Delta Upsilon which stands for Dikaia Upotheke which stands for "Justice, Our Foundation"

This is getting to be a bit of an old post (maybe you've gone through recruitment already?) but I think the biggest part of this issue is that finding out the secret meaning behind a sorority or fraternity's letters, symbols, handshake, is part of the fun of initiating.

I think what you've gotten from this is that there are a lot of different ways GLO's were named, but they are all personal and special.

As far as the chapter names, one thing that some of us take particular pride in is being a "single letter" chapter, which means we are one of the oldest chapters of the national group. But I guess this would only apply if your group organizes chapters that way.

Good luck!