"Frat"

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by 33girl

You are right ladygreek, but I didn't want to confuse the OP as she's not talking about NPHC groups. And I really didn't want her to walk up to an Alpha or Kappa and say "Hey frat boy!"

By the same token, I wouldn't want the OP to hear NPHC orgs using it and thinking we are uneducated and low-class.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

He would be more offended by the word boy than the word frat. To us frat is just a shortened term for fraternity or fraternity brother: nothing more, nothing less.

To add to this, in the NPHC fraternity brothers also call each other 'Frater' as we in the sororities call each other Soror.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

To add to this, in the NPHC fraternity brothers also call each other 'Frater' as we in the sororities call each other Soror.

SigmaDiva, or other NPHC members, may I ask the origin of this? Just the use of the Latin? Or is it something I can't know?

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

SigmaDiva, or other NPHC members, may I ask the origin of this? Just the use of the Latin? Or is it something I can't know?

I'm going to guess it is based in Latin to indicate 'brother' as Soror is 'sister' in Latin. Other than that, I really can't tell you why they use Frater because I really don't know each org's specific reason.

[Drolefille]

Thanks. I'm just interested in the difference. I know that we say sister and you say soror and it means the same thing to each of us but I wasn't sure why. At least you've confirmed a bit of that

[Sailboat Sis]

You wouldn't call your country a c*nt, therefore you would never call your fraternity a frat.

[Drolefille]

That logic is faulty... i know the point you're making... but it would be calling your country a "count" which we all know is either a verb or an aristocratic title. Not necessarily a bad thing

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Thanks. I'm just interested in the difference. I know that we say sister and you say soror and it means the same thing to each of us but I wasn't sure why. At least you've confirmed a bit of that

No problem. When I was in the process of joining my org I became very interested too in why certain terms were used and what they mean.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

But isn't that really only used between brothers??

No. They are all in "frats" although they are not all "frat."

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

A Kappa wouldn't use "frat" for an Alpha, right?

He wouldn't call an Alpha "frat" but some say "frater."

Either way, and the point that ladygreek was making, "frat" and "frats" don't hold a negative connotation in the NPHC.

[Drolefille]

It's not universal in the NIC/IFC. On our campus most guys didn't care, though only one pulled the "Country/Fraternity" line They mostly used the term themselves considering nothing more than an abbreviation in every day usage.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Thats because you're frat-tastic

Ugggggh. My brother says that. In all seriousness. All the time. It is so painful.

Anyway, I don't really see what the big deal is with "frat", but I try not to say it because you never know who it is a big deal to.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

That logic is faulty... i know the point you're making... but it would be calling your country a "count" which we all know is either a verb or an aristocratic title. Not necessarily a bad thing

Awesome!

[Tom Earp]

There is a big difference between "frats" and Fraters as has been pointed out.

Frat are for boys, and Fraternity is for Men.

Just think if You are a female/male what do You want to be called?

If people do not like it, then dont use it!

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Just think if You are a female/male what do You want to be called?

How about being called by my name?

[Drolefille]

Female.. but only if you pronounce it Fey-ma-lé