Old-School Greek terms wrong? - Page 2

RedRoseSAI · #16 02-03-2006, 11:02 AM

Personally, I find the term "recruitment" a little creepy. It always makes me think of cult members going out to find unsuspecting weaklings to join their flock. I think SAI still uses "rush", but I'm sure that'll change soon.

AlphaFrog · #17 02-03-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by frathole

Theres no way the terms rush, pledge, bid, band party, or grain punch are going anywhere. Worrying about semantics is ridiculous, especially when you're in your late teens early twenties.

It's a "band meeting" the band doesn't have parties (and you better not forget your music!)!! Right RedRose...

frathole · #18 02-03-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl
Is grain still legal where you are? We can't get it any more.

We send one or two guys to a neighboring state that sells it. I think usually West Virginia or something. They have big package stores right by the border that specialize, well worth the effort.

UNLDelt · #19 02-03-2006, 11:50 AM

From Merriam-Webster Online:

Main Entry: pledge
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): pledged; pledg·ing
1 : to make a pledge of
2 : to drink to the health of
3 : to bind by a pledge
4 : to promise the performance of by a pledge

Main Entry: haze
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): hazed; haz·ing
Etymology: origin unknown
1 a : to harass by exacting unnecessary or disagreeable work
b : to harass by banter, ridicule, or criticism
2 : to haze by way of initiation
3 West : to drive (as cattle or horses) from horseback
- haz·er noun

Not even close...

A fraternity or sorority can "rush" "rushees" have "pledges", run a "pledge program" and be a shining example of a great house with NO hazing. (Like my chapter)

Just as a fraternity or sorority can have "recruitment" for "potential new members" and run a "new member education program" and STILL haze the daylights out of those "new members".

It's not what you say...its what you do. This whole thing feeds the idea that the entire Greek System is bad and we ALL need to change. Yes, as in all things there are bad apples that bring us all down. But even if we develop an entirely new language to try and dust off the wounds it won't make a bit of difference. "Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet?" Yes, yes it would...because that's what it does...it smells sweet.

A REAL solution is to keep working to rid the ACTIVITIES that give greeks a bad name...if we keep catering to this kind of argument of semantics we will eventually become entirely homogenious through the systematic erasing of that which makes us unique by those who feel threatened because they are not part of it and therefore assume it's bad. We might as well become just like every other club on campus, sign up and you're in, no requirement b/c we don't want you to file suit against us for discrimination b/c you didn't make the GPA, or that we "hazed you" by asking that you learn a little history about the organization you say you want to be a part of. What's next?
"Oh I'm sorry what?...You're offended because you don't know what our letters mean...Ok well then we'll go ahead and stop using them..."

UNLDelt · #20 02-03-2006, 12:05 PM

Again from the dictionary:

Rush
Function: verb
transitive senses
Etymology: Middle English russhen, from Middle French ruser to put to flight, repel, deceive, from Latin recusare to refuse -- more at RECUSANT
6 a : to lavish attention on : to court b : to try to secure a pledge of membership from

Not sure about you guys but I enjoy having attention "lavished" on me every now and again.

And isn't that how a lot of chapters do rush (mine does).
Take guys out to eat...hold a BBQ at a lake for them...get to know them...pay attention to them..."court them"...in order to secure a pledge of membership from them?

Doesn't say anything about alcohol...so I guess the houses that 'hot box' or 'dirty rush' must need to buy a dictionary because they are WAY off...

33girl · #21 02-03-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by frathole
We send one or two guys to a neighboring state that sells it. I think usually West Virginia or something. They have big package stores right by the border that specialize, well worth the effort.

Ha ha, that's where we have to go for it too.

honeychile · #22 02-03-2006, 12:27 PM

I see it as trying to put a better spin on old terms. Too many non-greeks live to hear about how greeks haze, have pillow fights in their underwear, and other such nonsense.

I try to use the PC terms, only so I don't slip when I do need to talk to someone higher up. What gets me, though, was when I used the word, "Girls" at a chapter event, and was quickly corrected that they were "Women." I told them that when they act like women, I will call them women. When they act like little girls, be glad I don't call them babies!

dzrose93 · #23 02-03-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
That's exactly right.

I really hate it when people hide behind the term Politically Correct (PC). That's just too easy.

In this case, though, it's pretty much what has happened. The terms have gotten confused.

There are a whole bunch of folks, including a lot of US Presidents, Congresspersons, captains of industry and just plain folks like me who "rushed and pledged" and managed to live through it just fine, thank you.

This is one case (there has to be at least one) in which I'm in total agrement.

The reason for the new terms is unfortunate -- as is the fact that they fly in the face of a couple hundred years of Fraternity and Sorority Tradition.

Co-sign. I still use the "old" terms, partly because of the tradition behind them but, more importantly, because they make a lot more sense than the new PC terms do to me.

When I "rushed", I went through "Rush". When I "pledged", I became a "pledge". I went through my "pledge period" under my "pledge educator". At no time was I hazed, and I never felt anything but welcomed by my older sisters. Because of this, I developed a strong sense of pride, loyalty and love for my sorority that sticks with me today.

I often worry that being too PC waters down the Greek experience for people and eliminates some of the most fun, bonding traditions that come with being a member of a GLO.

dzrose93 · #24 02-03-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UNLDelt
It's not what you say...its what you do..

A REAL solution is to keep working to rid the ACTIVITIES that give greeks a bad name...

Again, co-sign.

DeltAlum · #25 02-03-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UNLDelt
A fraternity or sorority can "rush" "rushees" have "pledges", run a "pledge program" and be a shining example of a great house with NO hazing. (Like my chapter)***

Just as a fraternity or sorority can have "recruitment" for "potential new members" and run a "new member education program" and STILL haze the daylights out of those "new members".

A REAL solution is to keep working to rid the ACTIVITIES that give greeks a bad name...

I'll co-sign as well, Brother.

***(I've been to one of your chapter's Summer Rush events and can't tell you how impressed I was...and it picked up several outstanding Pledges. The grilled steak sandwiches were great!)

dekeguy · #26 02-03-2006, 03:26 PM

DEKES do not pretend to accept, much less pay lip service to, PC terminology or the stupidity that lies behind the whole concept of PC. When one considers that PC stems from "Animal Farm" rather than a reaction to "Animal House" and that the concept of political correctness came out of immediately post-revolutionary Russia (surely you remember that "magnificent" experiment in social engineering known as the USSR!) I am amazed how anyone buys into any of it.
We believe that we are responsible for our actions and that it is necessary to stand up and be counted for what we believe. We do not believe in sugar coating and pretence. The traditional terms are alive and well at our house. We admire the Rampant Lion, we disdain the cowering rabbit.

UNLDelt · #27 02-03-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'll co-sign as well, Brother.

***(I've been to one of your chapter's Summer Rush events and can't tell you how impressed I was...and it picked up several outstanding Pledges. The grilled steak sandwiches were great!)

Thanks!!!

DeltAlum · #28 02-03-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dekeguy
DEKES do not pretend to accept... PC terminology...

Mrs. DA's college apartment mate is married to a Deke from Miami of Ohio. Great guy. Not too PC.

It's only fair for me to add that I don't have a problem with using new terminology -- only when something is forced on us when there is nothing wrong with the orignial terms except someone, or some groups misinterpretation of them.

We use both rush and recruit. We still use pledge.

It appears to me (I will stand corrected if I'm wrong) that this use of language is more of an issue with sororities than fraternities.

Of course maybe we're just more stubborn.

Optimist Prime · #29 02-03-2006, 04:30 PM

Its becoming a pretty big issue with us, that I'm hoping will be dealt with at convention.

shinerbock · #30 02-03-2006, 04:34 PM

Yes, nationals instructs us to use certain terms, like associate member and such, which we promptly ignore. It seems they are dead set upon destroying greek life. Thankfully, they have little choice but to let us do what we want. Just more PC bs intended to notify the world that fraternities are no longer societies, but rather just groups of kids on campus who share no common bond.