Buzz
Although not every real-life school features cliques, they are a recurring theme in pop culture. Some depictions even categorize individuals into distinct groups, though most are less explicitly defined.
In pop culture, cliques are often separated by invisible barriers like social status, ethnicity, popularity, or shared goals, including taboo relationships. Despite their differences, these groups share a common trait: their clever and catchy names. Below, we explore 15 of the most iconic clique names in pop culture.
1. & 2. THE SHARKS AND THE JETS
In West Side Story, the Sharks and the Jets are less like traditional cliques and more akin to street gangs—albeit ones that sing and dance. Divided by ethnicity, the Sharks represent the Puerto Rican community, a growing demographic in the 1950s when the story is set, while the Jets are white. These groups were influenced by actual gangs of the era, such as the Vampires, the Jokers, and the Dragons.
3. & 4. SOCS AND GREASERS
S.E. Hinton brought the Socs and Greasers to life in her 1967 novel, The Outsiders, and they were further immortalized in the 1983 film and a brief 1990 TV series. Notably, a young Jay Ferguson, later famous for his role as Stan in Mad Men, portrayed Ponyboy in the series.
The term Soc (pronounced Sosh with a long "o") is derived from social, reflecting the affluent kids' involvement in social events or their association with high society. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) traces greaser back to early 1960s California, describing long-haired youths who drag-raced, styled their hair with grease, and smoked marijuana. In Hinton's work, greaser also signifies a disadvantaged youth from a rough neighborhood.
5. & 6. THE T-BIRDS AND PINK LADIES
In the world of Grease, the T-Birds and Pink Ladies reign supreme as the epitome of cool cliques. Unlike the greasers in The Outsiders, who are seen as outcasts, the T-Birds embody ultimate coolness. The term T-Bird is a nod to the "Thunderbird," likely inspired by the iconic Ford Thunderbird, a beloved car model of the 1950s.
The Pink Ladies, clad in their signature pink jackets, serve as the female counterparts and occasional love interests of the T-Birds. The name Pink Lady carries multiple meanings: it refers to a cocktail made with gin, egg white, and grenadine; a hospital volunteer; and even a type of barbiturate.
7. THE BRAT PACK
Though not a high school clique in the traditional sense, the Brat Pack became iconic for portraying teenagers in films long after their own high school days. The term was popularized in a 1985 New York Magazine article, referring to a group of actors—including Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Judd Nelson—who frequently starred together in coming-of-age classics like The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, and The Outsiders.
The name Brat Pack is a clever twist on the Rat Pack, a legendary Hollywood group featuring stars like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Generally, a rat pack describes a rowdy group of young individuals.
8. THE HEATHERS
This clique of dominant, popular girls is almost entirely composed of Heathers, with the exception of the defiant Veronica. The name Heather was highly popular in the 1970s but saw a decline after the mid-1980s, coinciding with the release of the film Heathers.
Veronica, whose full name is Veronica Sawyer, and her less-popular childhood friend Betty Finn, draw their names from the Archie comics characters Betty and Veronica, as well as literary figures Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
9. THE PLASTICS
Another iconic group of Mean Girls, the Plastics are the epitome of high school royalty. Regina, the leader, embodies the term’s Latin meaning of “queen.” Their name reflects their superficial, glossy, and unyielding nature. Additionally, plastic is slang for a credit card, symbolizing their materialistic and excessive lifestyle.
10. MATHLETES
The Mathletes, a clever combination of math and athlete, represent the intellectual nerds in the Mean Girls world, enthusiastically participating in math competitions. (They also appear in Freaks and Geeks.) Surprisingly, the term mathlete dates back to the early 1930s, making it older than many realize.
11. THE PUFFS
At the prestigious Chilton Prep School, the Puffs form an ultra-exclusive secret sorority. They try to recruit the studious Rory Gilmore, but she shows no interest in joining their ranks.
The name Puff might derive from the concept of puff pastry—light, airy, and sweet—or it could symbolize puff as in "hot air," representing vanity and pride.
12. THE DEAD POETS SOCIETY
Rory Gilmore might have found a better match in the Dead Poets Society, a secretive group that gathered in caves to recite poetry and embrace the philosophy of living life to the fullest. Screenwriter Tom Schulman drew inspiration from his time at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, modeling the character of teacher John Keating (played by Robin Williams) after his own mentor, Samuel Pickering. Following Robin Williams’s passing, Jimmy Fallon honored the actor and comedian by referencing the iconic “O Captain! My Captain!” scene from the film.
13. THE PERSIAN MAFIA
In Clueless, Cher introduces Tai to the Persian Mafia, a clique of affluent Iranian-American teens, quipping, “You can't hang with them unless you own a BMW.” This group mirrors the wealthy Iranian-American community later showcased in the reality series The Shahs of Sunset.
14. THE SCOOBIES
The Scoobies, derived from Scooby Gang in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, take their name from the Scooby-Doo cartoon, where Scooby and his friends solve mysteries involving costumed villains. Similarly, Buffy’s Scoobies tackle mysteries, but their adversaries are genuine monsters.
The term scooby originates from Scots rhyming slang, meaning “a clue,” as in the phrase, “No one’s got a scooby (doo).”
15. THE GREENDALE SEVEN
By the third season of Community, the Study Group reaches a breaking point. They’re stuck in summer school, Shirley’s sandwich shop fails after a Subway takeover, and Starburns dies. At his funeral, they spark a riot, earning them the nickname the Greendale Seven.
The name Greendale Seven pays homage to the Chicago Seven, activists charged with inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention, and the Seattle Seven, leaders of the Seattle Liberation Front, who protested the Chicago Seven’s convictions.
