Why is "frat" a bad thing?
 

Hey, I was just wondering...I'm a recent graduate, and have been in the greek system since my freshman year. I've always wondered something though. Why exactly do some fraternity men get offended when people call their houses "frats"? I've always respected guys who say they want me to call their chapters fraternities, and have done my best to do so, but I honestly don't understand why it's demeaning. What year exactly did the term "frat" become a bad thing? When and why? And please, don't say that you wouldn't call this country a ... you know what, because I've heard it. I just want a clear explanation on the reasons why being called a frat is so offensive. Just curious. :confused:

Probably because its non greeks that usually say frat and its to talk about the sterotypes of greek life. A fraternity sounds more respectable.

He said what I was going to say. I hate hearing people talk about "frats".

I don't know why... but I probably used the term "frat" more before I became Greek... now I pretty much always say "fraternity" just out of respect. I can't give you an explanation... maybe because people sometimes mockingly say "frat boys"... it's more respectable to say "fraternity men."

I don't think most guys are going to get that upset about it . . . depending on context.

Not related to the question at hand but...

When I was in school and we went to fraternity parties we always came back with this white stuff on our shoes - it looked sort of like what snow/salt looks like dried on your boots, only it wasn't as crusty...Anyway, we always called that "frat"

As in:
"Wow, will you look at all the "frat" on my new black boots!?!"

Ok that's kinda weird and gross...what was that stuff and why did it only appear on your shoes after fraternity parties???

Anyway I am totally guilty of saying 'frat'. Usually i use it to say 'frat boys' referring to those guys in fraternities that act like big a-holes. I never need to say 'frat party' cuz usually I'd be talking about a social anyway...hehe. But I think it does depend on the context, it's not always offensive.

Man I would hate for people to call my sorority a 'sore'. :p

Before I was greek, I said something about a frat house or frat party and the guy I was talking to said that he really didn't like the term and would prefer "fraternity" because it was more respectable sounding. I'm not sure if I've ever said it since then! And I think there's a difference between "fraternity boys" and "fraternity men".

Using the term "frat" is not the end of the world, but I do think "fraternity" sounds a lot better -- so that's what I always use.

Frat is for Boys and generaly used by GDI's!

I am not a Frat Boy, I am a Fraternity Man!:) If you are not a Soroity Lady What are You????:confused:

What amazed me is why you even asked!:confused:

There are fraternity men, and then there are frat boys. I always give them the benefit of the doubt (that they are men), but some do not keep it very long. I would never refer to a fraternity as a "frat" but the term seems to fit some of the individual guys.

Exactly! I once had a conversation with a guy friend about this and he told me that I should always use fraternity instead of "frat" because the guys just don't like it. He told me that if the world "frat" is used then its the same as calling your mother a mut and your country your cunt. now would you want that? :D

it rhymes with "rat"
 

Back in the dark ages when I was a pledge, the national's pledge manual had a large headline "Don't say frat!"

And most members never say it.

Worst of all, it rhymes with "rat"

I asked because I was curious. The word "frat" just doesn't seem derogatory to me. In fact, I have some guy friends who prefer that I call their house a frat, just because they think trying to avoid using that word was rather ridiculous and PC. I was just curious on getting everyone else's opinions on it.

i personally say and write frat because i cant even spell fraternity

While I see the point would you call your country a C#$%, but on the flip side don't you call your television a TV and haven't almost all of us said Congrats instead of congratulations ? I mean really if you think it's offensive then ok state that as your reason... but don't use the whole country excuse, it's faulty logic :D I kinda see how it's offensive because of the whole "frat boy" stereotype, but really I just say it because I'm lazy and frat is quicker.... I'd use a shorter version of sorority if it lended itself more easily to shortening, and I do try to say fraternity since the "fraternity men" do get offended...

Edited to add.. by the way not to be anal.. but I just noticed... the shortening of country wouldn't even *technically* be pronounced the same as that horrid horrid word which refers to the female anatomy it would be "count" which I think we all know how to pronounce... :D

i always say frat. i see nothing wrong with it. its just easier to say frat then fraternity. and saying fraternity party sounds like an oxy-moron or something. i dont see anything degrading about the term frat. however, i think that "would you call your country a cunt" example is totally ridiculous and inappropriate

guys, can we stop with the C word? You'll never seen me get upset about language, hell, i'll say most of it, but this is one word that just isn't cool and that many women take offense to. To me, and many other women, it's like the n-word (that's my personal opinion, before anyone jumps on me).

You rock, kddani!

I'm very glad to see that I'm not the only one offended by certain words.

I'm surprised that no one has touched on the fact that among the NPHC it's quite common for male members to use the term "frat" affectionately among their brothers.

It's completely weird and gross! We have no idea what it was - a mix of beer, sweat, and I don't even want to know what else...But it ONLY happened at fraternity parties, never a house party or a bar, and mostly on tile floors...Hmmm...:confused:

You know what drove me batty? At my last school allll the fraternity men/boys got pissy if you said "Oh, what frat are you in?" but then upon meeting one of their friends it'd be "Oh, this is Joe, he's my frat brother" or "Are you coming to my frat's party?" It's like it was totally okay for them to say frat, but not us. What really boggles me is the chapter I hung out with a lot at my last campus was all about "dispelling the frat boy image" and their chapter here is all about promoting it.

I agree. ;)

People, stop using the word "c**l" to describe things.....eventhough she used the word in her post. :mad:

agreed!

The whole debate it stupid to me. "Frat' has just become another social norm; no matter how you interpet it, the one thing everyone agrees on regarding the term is that it refers to a fraternity.

Ditto. It used to irk me, but now I don't care, especially when I hear so many Greeks use it. Just another shortening of the word. :)

Which is exactly why it's a bad analogy to use. "Frat" is not considered obscene or blatantly offensive according to any definition I've ever seen -- quite unlike the n- and c-words.

I know plenty of fraternity members who use "frat" and who don't think anything about using or hearing it. For those who do have a problem with the word, I don't think it has anything to do with the idea that it is disrespectful to shorten or abbreviate the name of one's fraternity -- after all, almost every fraternity has a nickname. I mean, come on; it's not disrespectful to say Sammy, Pike or Sig Ep (just to pull a few examples), but it's disrespectful to say "frat"?

Instead, I think it has to do with a valid perception that, especially among non-Greeks, "frat" and "frat boy" often carry "Animal House" connotations from which most fraternities would rather distance themselves.

I never use the word "frat" for the same reason I don't call someone by a nickname that they don't like (ie: Debbie for Deborah, Kathy instead of Kate for Katherine). Once you've been conditioned not to use it, the thought of using the term doesn't even cross your mind.


edited for spelling!

Which I think is the key. If some number of people object to the use of a word, why use it?

Frat (n): Group of kids who's only concern is drinking, failing out of school, and being the butt of all jokes {usually found around kegs or sleeping through/ditching class}

Fraternity (n): Group of well-educated leaders that are bound in a mutually-supportive brotherhood, working towards a common goal. Trend-setters, campus leaders, superior in the classroom as well as on the field.

This is how my chapter makes the designation. And yes, we are a fraternity.


And for those that say 'You wouldn't call your country a c---, would you?' I say, 'You've never worked for your country' [1BN/50th IN C co 3Plt Ft. Benning, GA]. That reasoning is extremely weak. If you're going to be indignant about something, have a valid arguement to support your position.

With the word 'frat', it's just an abbreviation of fraternity. The analogies used to say that the act of abbreviating it (country and mother) really have no base. It all boils down to a respect issue. I know that any time I go into a fraternity's meeting to speak on anything, I always greet them with "hello gentlemen". Regardless of my having a great rapport with the group, I will always refer to them as gentlemen in a formal context. This may just be me, seeing as I tend to refer to my sisters, and other sorority members, as ladies when I see a group of them anywhere. It's something that I have ingrained into my daily vernacular and, as such, I don't give it a second thought. It's all about respect.
And now I'm done with my babbling. :) Have a good one all.

Of course I myself prefer a "fraternity" instead of "frat". I think all of the explanations are correct, and I just want to add a thing. It seems that "frat" is a degretory (sp?) term, and the comparison of this is "recruitment" instead of "rush". "Recruitment" sounds more professional than "rush".
I know the NPHC still use "frat" or "soror" or "rush", but I think they will change sometime in the future.

So I would appreciate people that use the respectful term of "fraternity" than frat. Even I have to explain this to our own alumni.

Just my .02 cents ;)

There's too many people here who say frat to correct them, so I'm over it.

I've always said frat and this is the first time I have ever heard anyone complain about it!!

I have said frat at times I think just b/c I was being lazy, but normally I always will say Fraternity. I had asked a couple of friends of mine why they like fraternity better one time and they pretty much told me what everyone is sayin here. its a respect thing, which I totally understand and to me its like its a big thing to say the whole word it doesnt take that much more energy people! lol ;)

Nichole