10 Words or Phrases that identify you as part of the "Preppy since Thursday" crowd.
If you want to sound like a Preppy native, here are some words to avoid. If you do want to sound like an incomer, carry on.
Preppy, at its best, creates a feel. It is comfortable, reassuring, familiar. It’s in good taste, stable, and culturally aligned. It feels natural.
What it is not: It is not competitive, forced, nor performative. It is not ironic.
Thus I have compiled a list of 10 words and phrases that people use which instantly break that feel.
“OCBDs” (Oxford Cloth Button Downs): Quite frankly, my biggest problem with this term is that it doesn’t save me any syllables. I spent my childhood around people who called simply called them “Oxfords” and I never found anyone confused.
“Pop Your Collar”: You can simply say, “Turn your collar up.” It’s more descriptive and people won’t hate you.
“Go to Hell (or GTH) Pants”. Just call them embroidered pants. Or “My fourth of July pants” (or whatever holiday.) If you are going to a Christmas party, you probably shouldn’t be thinking “Go to Hell” for any reason.