This question is for the SORORS
 

Sorors, has anyone (greek/nongreek) ever referred to you as a "RED" or "DIRTY RED"? I have often heard Ques say it the most. When I do hear someone refer to me as such, I set that person straight then and there. I can't stand to be called these two names. I truly feel that it's very disrespectful. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif What are your opinions on this topic and have you ever been called this?

[This message has been edited by sqsred (edited May 08, 2000).]

I think that the term differs from place to place. I have not heard of "red" but i have heard of "CAT". i sure it means the same thing but a different word. I have never been called that but know of some who have. I don't know where it came from but I hope we get rid of it.

To answer your question, soror sqsred, the ques at my school refer to us as "dirty red" and yes I don't like it one bit.

(illumination) They also use that term (cat) at my school. I am just curious, where are you from? You don't have to post your answer here, if you would prefer you can e-mail it to me.

It must be a regional thing because where I went to school, the ques use to call us "mouse". Which we also strongly disliked.

the term isn't used a great deal around here (alabama), but, it isn't meant to be disrespectful. they generally call us soror which i don't have a problem with. it is like when we call them ques instead of omegas.

now the term 'cat' is another story. there is no postive connonation for cat. it came directly from the the bruhs. other greeks have picked it up. but i wouldn't equate red with cat.

I agree with the others. If called that, (Dirty Red/Red) I don't think it would have the same connotation as being called "Cat." Though I have only heard of being cat from various forum boards, it wasn't anything that sounded flattering.

Is it a term of endearment? Since they are the "dirty, nasty Q-dogs"??? I don't know. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif If you (those who have been called those names) are unsure of their meaning, (whether they are meant to disrespect you, or what ever) why don't you ask them about it?

i've heard "dirty red" used and i don't care for it at all. there is nothing "dirty" about me nor my sorority so i refuse to acknowledge that term. i know that others don't mean to disrespect but i still set them straight anyway. as far as 'cat' is concerned, i am not too familiar with that. i've heard it used down south but it did not necessarily refer to sorors or greeks. if someone was referred to as "cat" it was b/c they were a wack, weak, or so forth. so, that is my $.13 cents worth!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Sorors, I appreciate all of your responses. I too would like to comment on the "cat" issue. I've asked Ques what that term meant and they expressed that it meant weak,lame,punk etc. I've asked Alphas the same question and they said it meant CATegory. Category?? I was a bit confused with the explanation but I guess it too means weak,lame, etc. Thanks again! OOOO-OP!

C&C1913, what exactly did mouse mean? Did the Ques explain to you the meaning?

sqsred,

As it was told to me, it means the same thing that "cat" does because they said that our chapter wasn't well known. I actually think that they were somewhat jealous because we would "kick it" with the alphas and kappas also. Either way, it wasn't meant as a compliment.

[This message has been edited by c&c1913 (edited May 09, 2000).]

I've only been a Soror for a short while, but even before I would here "dirty red" and I didn't like , and I still don't.

When Bruhs call us Reds or Dirty Red they do not mean to be disrespectful. But I sometimes to correct them. But if someone is called "cat" that means you are weak and did not pledge.

i agree i've never heard the word cat being referred to Delta's...Dirty Reds is a slang southern thing.

The word cat is meant as someone who didn't pledge or who skated through or doesn't know their information.

Hmmmm...

I have never heard of the term "dirty reds" although Bruhs from the south have referred to me as "red" before. As in "Oh, you're a 'red' from the West Coast." Perhaps it is geographical location because I have only been referred to as Soror from Frat here. But Bruhs from the south, I hear them refer to Sorors as "red." "So and so is a 'red' from Georgia, you should meet her."

It doesn't seem to be disrespectful in their eyes although I do tend to correct Bruhs.

Cat definitely means wack, punk, someone who skated or shows no"love" to the Bruhs.

I would definitely not say the two, cat and reds, are synonymous. Dirty reds...hmmmmm...I don't know about that one.

PEACE SORORS!!!

[This message has been edited by DELTABRAT (edited August 25, 2000).]

I am sooo sorry...I know this was a question for the Deltas...BUT this term was used often on my campus...And since I was nosey, I asked what it was all about, too. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

The "dirty" wasn't referring to the Deltas negitively, only to note that CRIMSON is dark red as opposed to your basic "fire engine red".

Hope that was helpful....Bye! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Sorors,

I have heard them all and I can only say this, Dirty Red is not meant in a disrespectful manner but that is just the way that the Ques show their admiration. The word Dirty is being used in a different context. Dirty meaning tough, but still elegant red(referring to Crimson). Our Bruhs definitely mean no harm or disrespect to us.

The term "cat" is definitely meant in a derrogative way. Those who don't go through the pledging process are referred to as cat. Where I went over Delta's weren't the only GBLO that is referred to as cat. Any member of any sorority that doesn't pledge the "right-way" is called cat and sometimes are even Meowed at.


All my Love to my Sorors

I'm from the Southern Region and have heard both the term Red and Dirty Red.....I don't take offense to either. Also heard Sexy Red.

As far as the Ques I hang around, "Cat" is definitely intended to be derogatory, and use it to describe someone (mainly other Ques and Deltas) who do not want to "be out" with the Bruhz or show them any love (whether or not they were hazed or not)...however, in most cases, if one was hazed they are more likely to show love.....when talking about a member of another fraternity, Cat usually means wack, etc...

Thanks for the explanation soror. I was confused for real!! I guess you do learn something new everyday!



------------------
#1 Baby Girl
Spr. 2000
Alaska Alumnae

Sorors, please understand this from a Bruh. Being called a Red or Dirty Red is not meant in any derogatory fashion. You can really tell a Sorors amount of interaction with Omegas if she is offended by this terminology. Most Bruhs will acknowledge sorors how they wish to be called, but it is said with affection. Believe me, we know what you are. Since we are fam (in most places) its like your dad or boyfriend calling you by a pet name rather than your proper name. For those of you who do not know what CAT is, you haven't spent enough quality time with the Bruhs. Coleman Love and I'm gone.

Thanks DoogyStyle,
I have never been confused with the terms. i have always heard them and have often been called Red. It really surprises me that the terms have never been heard before and were not understood. "CAT" is used by every greek organization. I am most def feeling and understand what Coleman Love is all about. Much Love Bruh!

Luvsong
You have me cracking up at work. i love that story. Much love Soror

I don't know what the Alpha's where you are from meant by cat, but we almost always use the term cat to mean people who skated and did not pledge.

Doggystyle82

I think you gave a very good explanation of the subject at hand. Now I don't know what the heck the Alpha's are talking about but I guess they do. When you hang around the bruh's you do tend to pick up the lingo.

Much ColemanLuv
Oooo-oop!!!!

I pledged in the Midwest and heard the term "Red" used once by a Que I met at a party not too long after I crossed. He asked me where the other "Reds" were, and my first instinct was to assume that he was referring to light skinned sistahs (I'm a light skinned sistah and have been called "Red" by men on several occasions). When I realized that he was referring to the Deltas, I almost had to laugh at myself. I wasn't offended since I knew he meant no disrespect, but it's definitely not a name I would respond to on a regular basis. Usually when a man calls me "Red", he doesn't get the time of day.

------------------
Just Another DevaStaTing Diva,
luvsong1913

Soror DiSTinguished this is the same way I interpreted Dirty Red and Red....I personally see nothing wrong with it because it is not meant in a negative manner. I have only heard CAT being used by the Bruhs and a few Sorors, and it means the same thing that DiSTinguished said it meant. CAT is used down here in the South for Bruhs and Sorors that are not "out". I have never heard CAT, Dirty Red, or Red used to degrade our beloved sorority. QUOTE]Originally posted by DiSTinguished:
I'm from the Southern Region and have heard both the term Red and Dirty Red.....I don't take offense to either. Also heard Sexy Red.

As far as the Ques I hang around, "Cat" is definitely intended to be derogatory, and use it to describe someone (mainly other Ques and Deltas) who do not want to "be out" with the Bruhz or show them any love (whether or not they were hazed or not)...however, in most cases, if one was hazed they are more likely to show love.....when talking about a member of another fraternity, Cat usually means wack, etc...

[/QUOTE]