Preppy

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.

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.

Slang usage

In 1980, Jewish-American author and private school—but not preparatory school—alumna Lisa Birnbach^[1] edited the Official Preppy Handbook, a tongue-in-cheek guide to what she termed "prepdom." Though intended as satire, it is widely adhered to as a guidebook by those who embrace the latter interpretation of preppy fashion.

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:

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:

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.

References

^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DB1F3BF93AA25754C0A961948260 Lisa Birnbach New York Times marriage (reference for biographical information)

External links

[1] ttp://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DB1F3BF93AA25754C0A961948260 Lisa Birnbach New York Times marriage (reference for biographical information)

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