what does prep mean?

Question

in my brain, i've always thought that prep meant a snoppy, popular girl. i use the word everyday, yet i don't actually know what it means. i use it as an offensive word i guess, because i don't exactly like "them." everyone else in my school does too. idk... prep aka preppy same thing.
but what does it mean for real?

Answer 1

Its short for preparatory. No, really. As early as the '80s (and probably earlier than that), it was used for the overly staunch, conservative students who paid way too much attention in high school and were fixated on getting into a "good college". I've always assumed it was short for "prep school reject" or something similar.

Over the years, it's come to refer to any group of overachievers (who are generally the snobby, popular types that you mentioned), not necessarily just the "prep school types".

Answer 2

It depends on how you use the word. Prep like prep school means preparatory. Which means that it prepares you for college. Prep or preppie was started to describe people who went to schools like that. Used to describe rich people aka. snobs.

Answer 3

prep/preppy comes from the term "preparatory school," which kind of gives you an inkling of its meaning. It suggests that someone is clean-cut, comes from a well-off family, and leans more towards the golf/tennis styles in terms of fashion. the stereotypical image would be khakis, collared shirt tucked in, plays one or more sports, no tattoos or non-ear piercings, listens to top 40, a good student, teacher's/parent's pet, etc. Abercrombie & Fitch is a modern take on "prep."

Answer 4

Prep is short for preparation. When used as slang for people, such as "Preppies" it refers to advantaged youths who attend private preparatory schools (= high schools to the rest of us). They are 'preparing' the students for college.

Answer 5

Preparation for something following. You can't use a slang word and find much real meaning in it. Because your young, I am sure they are talking about the kids who have more then you. So that means the parents could have money and will take care of their children for education and college. If you hang around people that are successful you may become successfully yourself

Answer 6

getting something ready gathering all ingredients before cooking a meal getting prepped for surgery getting boxes, tape etc before a move

Answer 7

Origins of the slang has to do with "Prep" schools which usually the wealthy send their children to. So the slang usually means someone who is well-off, and usually dresses to indicate their status.

Answer 8

it originally meant someone who went to a preparatory high school, which is an expensive private school that gets you ready for college. those kids tend to be well off financially, and possibly a little snooty, with a sense of entitlement. that's where the word came from.

Answer 9

To me prep is an abbreviation for the word prepare or preparation.