preppy

thumb|A 1902 illustration of a Columbia University student, containing many of the attributes stereotypically associated with the preppy subculture

Preppy (also spelled as preppie, or prep) is an American subculture associated with the alumni of college-preparatory schools in the Northeastern United States. The term, which is an abbreviation of "preparatory", is used to denote a person seen as characteristic of a student or alumnus of these schools. Characteristics of preppy individuals include a particular subcultural speech, vocabulary, dress, mannerisms and etiquette reflective of an upper class and old money upbringing.