Spoiled brat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A spoiled brat (alternatively spelled spoilt brat in British English) is a person whose parents or other educators systematically fail to teach socially acceptable behavior and discipline.
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[edit] Word history
The word brat is recorded in the English language since circa 1505, as slang for "beggar's child," originally northern, Midlands and western England dialect "makeshift or ragged garment," probably the same word as Old English bratt "cloak," from a Celtic source (cfr. Old Irish bratt "cloak, cloth"). The modern meaning of mischievous kid is perhaps from the notion of "child's apron." The adjective bratty was first recorded in 1961.
The word Брат, in the Russian language means brother, and though the term in English is independent of a child's gender, this has the same sibling connotations and may have affected the term's usage and development.
The spoiled half of the common phrase may come from the saying "spare the rod and spoil the child", which is commonly attributed to the Hebrew Bible.
[edit] Rationale
The parents let the brat get their way in most things and thus worsen greed, selfishness, and arrogance in the child. A spoiled brat is archetypically an only child who is constantly doted on by their parents, usually in excess. One could also be the younger sibling of an older child. Often, if the child gets a response of "no", he or she will scream, shout, cry, hit others and behave inappropriately and like an infant, until they have had their way. Experts in the subject believe this behavior is brought on by the insecurity that results from over-affection of the parents and a lack of discipline and clearly-set boundaries in childhood. A spoiled child is also typically given too many sweets, toys and other such things, and whenever they want them, and this also builds greed and selfishness and hence contributes and is often analogous with the other characteristics.
The spoiled brat is also a stock character in several fiction works. Additionally, the "popular girl" stock character can also be considered a spoiled brat, especially if the girl is a teenager, has a school employee for a parent, and privileged financially.[citation needed]Image:CarmelitaSpats.jpg
[edit] Archetypical image of spoiled brats
The stereotypical spoiled brat is a child that comes from a usually-rich family or from a rich upbringing. In fiction there are also stereotypical exterior characteristics.
If a girl, she is always wearing a dress and sometimes has pigtails or very stylized and oversized ringlets, sometimes with a smile on her face to appear sweet, but may revel in some tomboyish behavior when alone with other kids.
If a boy, he is most likely dressed in fine clothes at all times and has his hair brushed and cut neatly. Sometimes the boy is portrayed as very obese, from overindulgence of food.
Fictional spoiled brats of both genders are often portrayed as redheaded, as a symbol of a fiery temperament.
[edit] Terminology
A more positive term for "spoiled brat" would be "spoiled princess" for a girl who doesn't show much of the negative symptoms of spoiling ("spoiled prince" for a boy). Another would be "daddy's little girl", which is a girl that is usually pampered by her father, and "mommy's little boy" (which is a boy usually pampered by his mother).
A similar but more embracing is that of a spoiled child, which only indicates that it is overindulged, but contrary to the brat is not necessarily misbehaving as a result; in a happy family a parent may even jocularly say something like "you're so spoiled, aren't you?" to a well-behaved child when he or she gets a treat or gift.
During the Cold War France was recovering its wealth and began large economic reforms from the aftermath of World War II. Because of this, the term enfant gaté (spoiled child) is quite common there. The term mainly regards those French who were born at the time when France had recovered a lot of its economy and wealth, the term also applies to their children, who fill most of the underage population of France today.[citation needed] In Dutch, verwend nest (verwend means spoiled) only applies to girls.
[edit] Fictional spoiled brats
There are many fictional characters (in literature, cartoons, film, television, comics, books...) who may be described as spoiled brats. This is usually due to their outward behavior around people, their financial situations, or the overaffection of their parent(s). Spoiled brats may also be considered antagonists of the show despite not being a villian.
Some of the most famous are Eric Cartman from South Park, Montana Max from Tiny Toon Adventures, Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Angelica Pickles in Rugrats and All Grown Up!, Wendy O. Koopa from the Mario games, Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind and Dudley Dursley from Harry Potter.
[edit] Sources, references and external links
- EtymologyOnLine
- IMDb links to uses of the word in the world of film and TV- click especially both keywords
