Some one tell me what the definition of a prep is

[the DEAD FATE of EMOS]

What exactly is a prep?  

[GilAskan]

There are a number of defintions to "prep". Like "Goth", there are popular definitions, as well as lesser known definitions.

Various Definitions I've heard:

Prep: Another term for an upper-class WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)

Prep: A member of the upper-class (or "privelaged") who attends private preparatory school. This defintion is commonly believed to be the root of the term, even if it no longer reflects the group.

Prep: A snooty or conceited teenager who follows popular fashion trends (Hollister, Abercrombie, etc.) and listens to popular music (Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, etc.) in order to climb the social ladder.

Prep: Another term for poser.

Prep: Someone who follows fads.

I'm not saying any of these are right or wrong. These are just things I've read and heard thrown around. Many people in this thread, without a doubt, will argue at least one or two of these defintions.

Here's Wikipedia's defintion for the common or slang usage:

Wikipedia.org

In recent years, young people have begun to use the term "preppy" as slang to describe those who appear clean-cut or strive to seem better off financially than others in an upper-middle class environment. In most regions, especially amongst young people, this usage has virtually replaced the traditional meaning of the word. Used in this manner, "preppy" is often applied contrary to the term's mainstream meaning stated above, as the slang version most often describes 'nouveau riche', publicly-educated people absorbed in the middle class hypermaterialistic pop culture pursuit of quality-made goods sold at prices for those who can pay for the best and most fashionable. As such, teenagers often apply this slang label to popular clothing not characteristic of "prepdom" such as American Eagle, abercrombie, Hollister Co., and Abercrombie and Fitch (prior to the original company's bankruptcy in 1977, it in fact was a prep staple). However, the "New England prep" image is still strongly associated with current use of the word. Abercrombie's clothes, for example, often reference lacrosse, rugby, and crew; sports typically linked with the outdoorsy New England lifestyle.

Again, I'm neither saying that this is right or wrong. Just saying what has been told to me.  

[grotesquekreeple]

i agree that all of those definitions apply to kids in my county but i wont say that all of trhem apply to every prep because judging is bad  

[Kamadev]

GilAskan

There are a number of defintions to "prep". Like "Goth", there are popular definitions, as well as lesser known definitions.

Various Definitions I've heard:

Prep: Another term for an upper-class WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)

Prep: A member of the upper-class (or "privelaged") who attends private preparatory school. This defintion is commonly believed to be the root of the term, even if it no longer reflects the group.

Prep: A snooty or conceited teenager who follows popular fashion trends (Hollister, Abercrombie, etc.) and listens to popular music (Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, etc.) in order to climb the social ladder.

Prep: Another term for poser.

Prep: Someone who follows fads.

I'm not saying any of these are right or wrong. These are just things I've read and heard thrown around. Many people in this thread, without a doubt, will argue at least one or two of these defintions.

Here's Wikipedia's defintion for the common or slang usage:

Wikipedia.org

In recent years, young people have begun to use the term "preppy" as slang to describe those who appear clean-cut or strive to seem better off financially than others in an upper-middle class environment. In most regions, especially amongst young people, this usage has virtually replaced the traditional meaning of the word. Used in this manner, "preppy" is often applied contrary to the term's mainstream meaning stated above, as the slang version most often describes 'nouveau riche', publicly-educated people absorbed in the middle class hypermaterialistic pop culture pursuit of quality-made goods sold at prices for those who can pay for the best and most fashionable. As such, teenagers often apply this slang label to popular clothing not characteristic of "prepdom" such as American Eagle, abercrombie, Hollister Co., and Abercrombie and Fitch (prior to the original company's bankruptcy in 1977, it in fact was a prep staple). However, the "New England prep" image is still strongly associated with current use of the word. Abercrombie's clothes, for example, often reference lacrosse, rugby, and crew; sports typically linked with the outdoorsy New England lifestyle.

Again, I'm neither saying that this is right or wrong. Just saying what has been told to me.

I'd have to agree.^^  

[Beware of Falling Objects]

Prep: A snooty or conceited teenager who follows popular fashion trends (Hollister, Abercrombie, etc.) and listens to popular music (Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, etc.) in order to climb the social ladder.

Prep: Another term for poser.

Prep: Someone who follows fads.

these are the ones im my school.... stare and i hate them all  

[WeissVicious]

a prep is someone who wears all abercrombie and fitch, hollister, those sorts of clothes. that's how i see a prep  

[acana_marrionett]

only one thing a preps are A PAIN IN THE a**!  

[poncho steve]

i really dont like the preps at my school
they all have a thing against guys who wear make up  

[objektiv]

A prep is not really the way you dress (I wear Abercrombie and am the first one to laugh at a dark joke that makes all the "non-goths" uncomfortable)but its your mindset and what you listen to and its just you.  

[Choboxer]

Prep: anybody with a "holyer then thou" adittude. You can reconize them by the snear and the patronizing tone of voice.  

[2aetH]

I use "prep" in exchange with "jock" all the time.

Anyone who's on twenty different sports teams, thinks they're better than everyone else, shops at Abercrombie and Banana Republic because they're "cool", keeps up with trends for no reason, and sneers at people who try to express their individuality is a prep.

Or a jerk, which is also exchanged with prep at various points.

It's also one of the best insults to throw at people.  

[DragonShadowWing]

im.my.own.worst.enemy

Prep: A snooty or conceited teenager who follows popular fashion trends (Hollister, Abercrombie, etc.) and listens to popular music (Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, etc.) in order to climb the social ladder.

Prep: Another term for poser.

Prep: Someone who follows fads.

these are the ones im my school.... stare and i hate them all

dido i agree *mutters under breath* stupid preps why wont they just die.  

[DragonShadowWing]

Raethyn Sarachael

I use "prep" in exchange with "jock" all the time.

Anyone who's on twenty different sports teams, thinks they're better than everyone else, shops at Abercrombie and Banana Republic because they're "cool", keeps up with trends for no reason, and sneers at people who try to express their individuality is a prep.

Or a jerk, which is also exchanged with prep at various points.

It's also one of the best insults to throw at people.

hahah yeah i agree  

[GilAskan]

I'd like to briefly point out the hypocrisy of a few posts. Many people here have been saying "I hate them! They wear stupid, mainstream clothes and listen to popular bands and think they're better than everyone! They should all die!" about preps.

However, saying that is no different than someone saying "I hate all goths! They all wear stupid, freaky, all-black clothes, and listen to screaming death-metal, and worship satan!".

In both cases, the statements are based on popular, and potentially wrong, beliefs and stereotypes. for example....

Raethyn Sarachael

I use "prep" in exchange with "jock" all the time.

Anyone who's on twenty different sports teams, thinks they're better than everyone else, shops at Abercrombie and Banana Republic because they're "cool", keeps up with trends for no reason, and sneers at people who try to express their individuality is a prep.

Or a jerk, which is also exchanged with prep at various points.

It's also one of the best insults to throw at people.

Oh, really?

I use "goth" in exchange with "freak" all the time.

Anyone who's on twenty different internet forums, thinks they're cooler than everyone else, shops at Hot Topic because they're "cool", avoids trends for no reason, and sneers at anyone who isn't just like them is a goth.

Or a satanist, which is also exchangable with prep at various points.

It's also one of the best insults to throw at people.

/parody of hypocrisy.  

[xAsh-chanx]

GilAskan I love your point. I think that you're at the same level at them if you insult them but you get mad when they insult you.

D: