"Soror" ?
 

I have been out of the loop for 10 years, but what is the origin of the term "sorors'? My chapter was in New England, and I checked with a few of my alum sisters, and we never heard of this term before.

Forgive my old-agedness!
Thanks!

it's some black sorority term, no one else uses it.

It's short for Sorority Sister.

GPhiB started using Sorority instead of Women's Fraternity, like previous orgs had done.

Soror is Latin for "sister."

He's right, although he said it in a negative kind of way.....

It is very commom among the NPHC sororities to refer to our members as 'Sorors', which is derived from the Latin meaning sister.

As far as I know with GSS, the term 'soror' is commonly used among the chapters at HBCUs. They (GSS) have also adopted a 'call' and handsign for the org but it seems to be prevalent among the members at HBCUs.

There was actually a thread or two about GSS with respect to the differences among the org at a PWI vs a HBCU.

Exactly, as "frater" is Latin for brother.

NPHC sororities use "soror" rather than "sister" in much the same way that I have seen some fraternities -- both NPHC and NIC -- refer to members as "fraters" rather than "brothers."

Gamma Simga Sigma is not a "black" or "white sorority, and we are not NPC or NPHC.

Yikes! I meant when did this term become popular. Like I said, I had never heard it til GC.

No one was saying you were...

I read your question wrong, so I went back and fixed my answer. I was thinking you were actually asking where 'Soror' came from...not when. It seemed a bit like asking how "Will" became short for "William"...pretty obvious.

I read it the same way, given that the question was "but what is the origin of the term 'sorors'?"

REE1993, are you asking when members of Gamma Gamma Sigma started using the term?

That is understood, but since you have chapters/members at HBCUs, where the majority of students are Black, what has resulted is that GSS on *those campuses* have adopted NPHC styles, and using the term soror is just one of many.



Since AKA is recognized as the first collegiate sorority for Black women, I'm guessing the term soror became popular in 1908. But to tell you the truth, I've never researched the word.

From the ppl in my family and friends who are in NPHC sororities, I've heard the term all my life (I'm 25). I would think that it has been in use since the organizations were establsihed in the early 1900s.
I've never heard any non-NPHC groups use the term, but my mom and her friend refer to my sisters as my "sorors," although I would just say "sister.":)

P.S. my mom is not in a GLO

Ahh ok this makes sense to me know. I knew what it "meant" but I didn't know of the origins. Like I said, I am in New England, and have never heard the term before. We use the word "sister".

Thanks everyone for the explanations!
Sisterly,
Ree

Well aren't you a basket of cool peaches on a warm summer day? :rolleyes:

There are latina and multicultural sororities that use "soror." It is most traditionally used with historically and predominantly black sororities.

Drool, drool!

Well speaking as a Gamma Sig, I use the word "soror" and "sister" interchangeably. Whatever your preference is, go with it. However Sigmadiva is right--you hear that term being used most within NPHC groups.
I'm black and most of my daily interactions are with other Gamma Sigs that are black...maybe that's why I use "soror" more often than "sister". *shrug*

Thanks, Gamma Girl. I didn't mean to make a thing about it, I just felt kinda silly for not knowing what it was all about. Either way, it means sister, and that's all that matters.

I have heard the term in in NPC groups. I am white and I use the term. It means sister so to me it is interchangable.

What is interesting is how soror masy be pronounced depending on where one lives. I have heard everything from soar-roar to saw-raw and everything in between. :D But it's all good, because no matter how you pronounce it, it still means my sister.

LOL. I was like "who is Soror Masy? I'm slippin'."

I usually hear older Sorors say "saw-raw." The younger Sorors I've heard say it are usually kidding around.

Yeah, that trips me out, too. Especially at National Convention where we have sorors from all over, I just love to hear the accents and trying to figure out what part of the country someone is from.

I thought that we (NPHC) use the term "soror" because we already call each other "sister". Using the term "sister" means anyone of our race whether related to us or not.

That's pretty interesting. I feel as though the term "soror" is more Greek specific as well. Amongst those I go to church with, people call each other "sister" and "brother" but "soror" and "frat" are known for being GLO specific. I was brought up in the Greek world calling AKA's my sorors. I called a Delta "soror" at one point after I crossed and she didn't mind too much, but when an AKA on my campus found out, she nearly had my head. Now I just say "hey you!" to whoever and give them a hug. I learn quick.

LOL

Definitely. I've been to the Sister II Sister Sorority Luncheon in Atlanta, and I heard members of ABC call members of XYZ "soror". Even though we were at a very sisterly event, it was still weird for me. I can speak to a friend in XYZ and say, "I met one of your sorors," but it's still difficult to connect the idea of calling someone "soror" if she is a sorority other than Sigma Gamma Rho.

I know plenty of Southeastern sorors of various ages who say "saw-rah" because we are familiar with one another, and it rolls off the tongue so easily. I strictly enunciate "soror" in a formal/business setting, but I wouldn't dare correct a "seasoned soror". LOL

I can't bring myself to do it either because its not right. I am okay with SisterGreek, though, its more accurate and feels better to say.

This...and this..


:o make for a nice warm and fuzzy...

Same here. Sister-Greek or Sister-Soror:)