School tie
The school tie is part of the school uniform required by a large number of English schools. The old school tie refers to a tie voluntarily worn by alumni of long established British schools. Figuratively, it is used to refer to the connection between members of the elite who attended the institutions: this is particularly associated with public schools.[1]
School tie
A school tie indicates pupils of a particular school, or year group, or of a particular house in that school.[2][3] In addition, for some schools, the school tie is not merely an indication that the student belongs to a group or community but the tie is a part of the concept called "smart": which associates tidy school uniforms with high standards.[2]
There are scholars[who?] who view the school tie as a way for people to distinguish between groups and social classes in the way students are labelled according to the colour of their ties and their uniforms.[4]
Old school tie
An old school tie or old boys tie is a tie that, on leaving school, former pupils are entitled to wear. They will be in their old school or old-boy society colours. According to protocol, it may only be worn by former pupils. This symbol can be a discreet passport to the old boy network, and such ties can be an indication of one's social standing. Conversely, wearing a tie to which you have no right is a serious social gaffe.[5]
Although originally an institution of English public schools, some schools of mixed or female-only membership do present their female leavers with a tie or other equivalent. Alternative clothing such as socks, scarfs, pyjamas and even underwear may also be available in the old-boy/old-girl colours.[citation needed]
These exclusive ties are not limited to British
As a metaphor
The "old school tie"
See also
- Class ring - an approximate American equivalent
References
- ^ "Definition of old school tie in English". en.oxforddictionaries.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-351-27011-3.
- ISBN 978-1-134-91102-8.
- ISBN 978-1-351-49473-1.
- ^ "The Old School Tie Is So Exclusive That Almost Anyone with a Neck Has One". Sports Illustrated. 19 April 1965. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ "The old school tie - definition and synonyms". www.macmillandictionary.com. Macmillan Publishers. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ^ "Tories' old school tie still rules". The Times. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- Progressive Digital Media. Retrieved 26 March 2018.