Question do you find the term "FRAT" offending?

mckimjm · #1 08-13-2007, 12:20 PM

I want to know how universal it is for a fraternity male to be offended by the term frat? I know it used to bug me when random gdis are like what frat are you in...but we as a fraternity laugh about it kind of. We have our fraternity house which we keep very nice and is absolutely dry but when we have "get togethers" in the house I live in with 4 other brothers we call it the "FRAT" House as a joke. GDI's are going to have there sterotypes regardless so ive come to the conclusion i could care less either way.

Senusret I · #2 08-13-2007, 12:34 PM

It is not a universally offensive term.

shinerbock · #3 08-13-2007, 12:59 PM

It depends on who is saying it. I know a lot of fraternity guys who say it a lot, in a humorous manner, "hey BROS lets go back to the FRAT house". In that sense, no, it isn't.

I don't ever find it offensive, but I do find it annoying when people use terms like fratboy or fratty/frat to describe a cargo short/abercrombie type person. People do this with the term "preppy" too.

SNUIGC · #4 08-13-2007, 01:28 PM

I don't really find it as much offensive as I do annoying... my chapter tends to almost always say fraternity, but the word frat does slip out every now and then. I agree with shinerbock, that's annoying especially "fratdaddy" (big around here). ...and labeling someone as being a "fratboy" when they're a GDI.

Tom Earp · #5 08-13-2007, 03:03 PM

It has always be told You are either a Frat Boy or a Fraternity Man.

But Tekes call their members Fraters.

That is their thing.

Sir Genesis · #6 08-13-2007, 04:11 PM

It depends on the use. "What 'frat' are you in?" is an innocent question and who wants to say fraternity every time they ask the question?

But "You're a frat boy" or "He's one of those frat guys" is different. But Greek Life is something that has a million stereotypes and everyone knows at least one. It sucks to be stuck in those stereotypes (like that show Greek) but it's just what happens.

James · #7 08-13-2007, 04:39 PM

I don't find it offensive unless i find the person offensive.

Kevin · #8 08-13-2007, 04:52 PM

Words like that are generally harmless. While I don't use it myself, I don't really care who does anymore.

My attitude has changed on this since undergrad. Compared to other things, the word "frat" is pretty inconsequential.

shinerbock · #9 08-13-2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

Words like that are generally harmless. While I don't use it myself, I don't really care who does anymore.

My attitude has changed on this since undergrad. Compared to other things, the word "frat" is pretty inconsequential.

I think a lot of people would agree with this. This is something people get enraged about until their junior/senior year of undergrad, at which point they could care less. This was about the same time we began slipping out of chapter early to go to happy hour.

PrettyBoy · #10 08-13-2007, 08:58 PM

No. I use "Frat" all the time.

DeltAlum · #11 08-13-2007, 10:41 PM

I'm not offended by the word, but I choose not to use it myself.

I think it sounds less respectful of an organization than fraternity does.

BlueNYC2 · #12 08-14-2007, 07:35 PM

its definitely not offensive to me. I call other members of my fraternity, FRAT. like if i dont know someone, but they're rockin para or if i see their brand, i'ma be like "Hey wats up frat. what chapter you from?" but i do get annoyed when ppl who know my name call me frat...