Preppy
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Preppy, also spelled preppie, is a chiefly North American adjective or noun traditionally used to describe the characteristics of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs). The term originated as a description of someone who attended private university-preparatory schools, commonly associated with the eastern United States. These characteristics include particular subcultural speech, vocabulary, accent, dress, mannerisms, etiquette, and entitled life view. The term "preppy" is similar in formation to hippie or yuppie, and it had great currency in the 1970s and 1980s. The term first reached a wide audience in the 1970 film Love Story, where Ali MacGraw's character uses it as a derisive term of endearment.
The more recent slang derivation prep has taken on an often derogatory meaning, associated not with any particular race, community or schools. Especially as used by young people, "prep" more generally denotes superficiality and preoccupation with the appearance and wealth; see slang usage below.
Current usage
The word preppy has come to refer to people of a certain class, economic status, and ethnic origin. In particular, it is used to describe people from established WASP families, and is controversial because it excludes people from other backgrounds. Sometimes, it is also used to say poumpos ppl. Peolple who eventually hate punk ppl, emos, goth, and any different tipe that are not deportist or cheeldaders.
More generally, preps are people who attended elite college preparatory schools, often boarding schools. Interestingly enough, the prep school attended is sometimes given more weight than the college subsequently attended, however prestigious the latter. Nevertheless, preps traditionally go on to some of the top U.S. colleges and universities. It is worth noting that a school's eliteness or cost does not necessarily mean that it is a preppy college. Preppy culture idealizes tradition, intelligence, athleticism, sociability and wealth. The culture also emphasizes deference to business and certain fashions.
In fashion the term "preppy" is associated not with dramatic designer fashions, but with classic and conservative clothing and accessory brands such as Brooks Brothers, J. Press, J.Crew, J. Mclaughlin, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Vineyard Vines, Vera Bradley, Gant, Lilly Pulitzer, L.L.Bean, The North Face and Patagonia. An example of preppy attire would be a button-down Oxford cloth shirt, cuffed khakis, and cordovan loafers.
"Where do you summer?" is a quintessential prep question, since a preps vacation location is as important to their status as where they primarily live. Locations tend to be predominately in the Northeast, however other warmer climates can serve as wintertime retreats. It is important to note that preps generally vacation to the same location year after year and often own real estate there. Vacations are an essential aspect of the authentic preppy way of life; common, important and prestigious vacation and weekend spots include Newport, RI; Bar Harbor, ME; Palm Beach, FL; Hilton Head Island, SC; Millbrook, NY; The Hamptons, NY; Block Island, RI; Nantucket, MA; Cape Cod, MA and Martha's Vineyard, MA.
Athletics
Certain forms of athletics are highly valued by preppies. Some examples of the most widespread preppy sports include crew (rowing), tennis, lacrosse, sailing and squash. Participation in such events as the Head of the Charles and Henley Royal Regatta is considered to be very distinguished among those who participate.
The following sports were cited in Lisa Birnbach's Preppy Handbook:
- Fencing
- Polo
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Crew
- Field Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Skiing
- Squash
- Tennis
- Golf
- Badminton
- Croquet
- Rugby
Drinks
The Official Preppy Handbook notes the Bloody Mary to be the favored mixed drink amongst preppies.
The following liquor brands were cited to be "preppy" in an unofficial sequel to The Official Preppy Handbook, Tipsy in Madras:
Coffee
Popular culture
There was also a video game called "Preppy" which was based on the same premise as the popular Frogger, replacing the frog with a preppie whose job it was to pick up golf balls while avoiding various hazards.
See also
- White Anglo-Saxon Protestant
- Boston Brahmin
- Jesuit Ivy
- Ivy League
- Little Ivy League
- Prep School
- Southern Ivy League
- Whit Stillman, a writer-director known for his sly depictions of the "urban haute bourgeoisie" (as he terms the upper-class WASPs of the U.S. socio-cultural elite).
- Windsor, Ontario