The Nicknames of American Greek-Letter Organizations

Abstract

AbstractMost sororities and fraternities in the United States have at least one nickname, the formation of which always follows the regular processes of English neology for shortened forms, and, additionally, always adheres to the basic parameters of non-duplication (of other similar organizations' nicknames), brevity, and uniqueness. Besides serving as a ready means of identification, these nicknames serve important psycho-social functions: fraternity and sorority members use them as one way of achieving social solidarity and a group identity, both within and across organizational boundaries; non-members use them as a convenenient means of subcultural derision.