In its purest sense, nicknaming is an elitist ritual practiced by those who cherish hierarchy. For preppies it's a smoke signal that allows Bunny to tell Pooky that they belong to the same tribe, while among the good old boys it serves the cause of masculine dominance by identifying Bear and Wrecker as Alpha males.

Summary

This quote highlights the connotation of exclusivity associated with nicknaming. It suggests that nicknaming is primarily employed by individuals who value and maintain social hierarchies. For certain groups, such as preppies, nicknames act as a form of communication, symbolizing inclusion and unity within their social circle. In contrast, among groups dominated by traditional masculinity, the act of assigning nicknames reinforces the hierarchy by distinguishing and asserting the dominant Alpha males. Overall, the quote argues that nicknaming serves as a ritualistic practice that upholds privileges and power dynamics within certain social contexts.

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