Word: bickerer
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...Scott Fitzgerald describes Amory Blaine's bicker in This Side of Paradise...
...Bicker is an ordeal that you have to be prepared to take. The sophomore committee sponsors panel discussions on the morality of it, the psychology of it, the history of it. Representatives come around to all the sophomores' room with advice: "Just act yourself now. Don't panic or anything. Don't try to be anyone you really aren't. Just act yourself and everything will be all right." The talk in Commons during the weeks before is always about Bicker--getting Bicker groups together, figuring out chances...
After exams, Bicker begins. Representatives of the clubs come in and check out your brand of rep striped tie, yellow shirt, gray trousers, navy blazer, and freshly shined shoes. Talk starts with the room. "Not a bad room for sophomores. Nice picture over there. Nice carpet too," the club man will say. Then there are nods and "thanks" and the talk changes...
...club men report back to their clubs and write comments about you in Bicker Book right under your picture cut out of the Freshman Herald. The next night, if you're lucky, Ivy will come around again and talk to your group. And then maybe again and again. And maybe you will...
...Bicker selections are superficial judgments. But, even though many people are condemned to life in a bottom club because of the system, it doesn't bother Clinch S. Belser, chairman of the Interclub Committee and president of Cottage: "Bicker judgments are partially based on the superficial qualities of people. However, superficial compatability facilitates social interchange and relaxation. Thus, it is not totally adverse that superficialities influence Bicker decisions...