Frat

[Erik P Conard]

Why do we use that damndable term "frat?" We were taught back in the 50s that high school kids and ignorant reporters were
the only ones who said "frat."
Why cannot we dignify our organizations by referring to them as
"fraternity/fraternities" instead of the sophomoric term "frat."
We deserve better.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

MOST of them do however.

[Shima-Mizu]

I haven't heard of any of the guys on campus here being offended by that...

[TSteven]

Originally posted by SmartBlondeGPhB
MOST of them do however.

I think this sums up quite nicely what Sigma Chi, and others as well, feel. From the Alpha Omega Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity (Stanford University).

We are a Fraternity, not a frat. Sigma Chi is committed to bringing together a group of ambitious men with varying interests who share a common goal: the desire to have a great time and form a close group of brothers. We bring together awesome athletes, musicians, and campus leaders to form a fraternity of truly amazing people.

Alpha Omega Chapter

[CarolinaCutie]

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
Is this an NIC thing that I wouldn't understand?

LOL I'd say it is an NIC thing, but I don't think it's too hard to comprehend. The majority of NIC fraternities do not look favorably on the use of the word "frat" because of its negative connotations in the non-Greek world. It is viewed as a disrespectful abbreviation. A typical comment would be, "We're not frat guys, we're fraternity men." I will refrain from the "You wouldn't call your country..." line because I am sure it will be posted somewhere later in this thread.

From what I know of NPHC orgs, they use the word "frat" similar to how female orgs would say "soror". I think it's nice- it's like a familiar nickname of sorts for all members of your org. Most NIC fraternities do not use the word in this manner, though.

[SigPhiSunshine]

well the way i see it, there is a difference between a frat guy and a fraternity guy. the frat guy would be the "stereotypical" animal house guy who is in it for parties and thats about it. A fraternity guy is the guy who parties, but there is more to it than that for him.

[The B Girl]

When I was in college, I never used the word "frat". I guess it was just a habit, but guys would get offended.

[BabyP]

would you be preferred to call those cuties in letters?

[Erik P Conard]

yes, good answers and I feel better.
users of "frat" simply have no manners, no matter where they go
to school. I doubt their organization endorses "frat."
We have ushered in an era of lowering a lot of our standards,
but, then, there are a lot of folks who do not belong in the higher education institutions. I would consider those who use "frat" to
to among them. You may disagree, but my statement is firm, and
there is a place for manners in the Fraternity...

[KSUViolet06]

Originally posted by Erik P Conard
yes, good answers and I feel better.
users of "frat" simply have no manners, no matter where they go
to school. I doubt their organization endorses "frat."
We have ushered in an era of lowering a lot of our standards,
but, then, there are a lot of folks who do not belong in the higher education institutions. I would consider those who use "frat" to
to among them. You may disagree, but my statement is firm, and
there is a place for manners in the Fraternity...

Alot of people don't mean to offend people by using that word. Many do so merely out of habit. I DO NOT, however consider those who may say "frat", to be among those who have no place in higher ed. That's quite a lofty statement.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Erik P Conard
yes, good answers and I feel better.
users of "frat" simply have no manners, no matter where they go
to school. I doubt their organization endorses "frat."
We have ushered in an era of lowering a lot of our standards,
but, then, there are a lot of folks who do not belong in the higher education institutions. I would consider those who use "frat" to
to among them. You may disagree, but my statement is firm, and
there is a place for manners in the Fraternity...

Erik, I agree with you! It's like referring to someone from Kuwait as an AY-RAB. Using "frat" just makes you sound like low-class trash...please don't.

This does not apply to NPHC members of course. They have used it in a very proper manner over the years.

[ILLINIgirl]

ok, so this is what I've been told since forever by my mother who was in a sorority in the late 70's:

she says the fraternity guys on her campus told her, "you don't abbreviate your country so don't abbreviate your fraternity"
(and by abbreviate your country, they mean pronounce country w/o the "ry"...just pronounce the beginning of the word = dirty word that I'm not gonna post )

Kinda weird...but I never say "frat" due to this lil reminder

[LadySunshine]

Originally posted by CarolinaCutie

From what I know of NPHC orgs, they use the word "frat" similar to how female orgs would say "soror". I think it's nice- it's like a familiar nickname of sorts for all members of your org. Most NIC fraternities do not use the word in this manner, though.

This may be a dumb question but is the use of the word "soror" common among NPC sororities?

[Shima-Mizu]

Originally posted by LadySunshine
This may be a dumb question but is the use of the word "soror" common among NPC sororities?

I've never even heard "soror" until now.

[AlphaPhiBubbles]

One of the reasons I like Greek Chat is this kind of stuff that I get to discover about other orgs.

Yes, D9 Fraternities and Sororities use "frat" and "soror" to refer to each other, as opposed to saying brother or sister. It makes perfect sense to me, since those root words are how we got the terms fraternity and sorority (meaning brotherhood and sisterhood, respectivley).