Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Kr!x
Why do you have Greek names, I don't know any historical relationship between the US and Greece?
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Because historically, a college education in the United States meant a classical education. All college students would have studied Greek and Latin and would have read classical works in those languages.
The original Greek Letter Society was
Phi Beta Kappa, which is now an academic honorary society. Founded in 1776, it was originally a secret collegiate society. It chose as its name
Societas Philosophiae, or the Philosophical Society. It chose as a secret motto
Φιλοσοφία Βίου Κυβερνήτης ("philosophia biou kybernētēs"), variously translated as "Philosophy, the helmsman of life," "Love of learning, the helmsman of life," or (the official translation now) "Philosophy is the Guide of Life."
The insignia of the Society was (and is) a watch key, and the initials of the name (in overlapping script) and the motto are shown on the key:
It wasn't long before people began to refer to the Society by the initials of its motto: ΦΒΚ. That set a pattern that fraternities and sororities have followed ever since. Today, it is safe to say that the Greek letters that form the names of most GLOs represent either a secret motto, secret name or the like.
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