I grew up in America reading English books, that is to say books that had been written in England. I was so clueless about this distinction that when I got to college I took English 10, the introductory course, which omitted any books written in the United States. I had made no distinction between American books and English ones. I also was pretty oblivious to distinctions in both meaning and spelling. For instance, I was frequently corrected for spelling gray as grey and theater as theatre.
This morning’s crossword puzzle reminded me of a phrase that was my nemesis throughout my childhood. Every time there was a mention of “old school ties” I was baffled. Why were they so focused on OLD ties anyway? And even if I began to think maybe it referred to ties from a boy’s OLD SCHOOL, I still had no clue to what the author was suggesting.
The crossword puzzle writer apparently has decided that the phrase simply means “nepotism.” But after sitting down with the dictionary, I seem to understand that the phrase is more nuanced than that. As far as I can gather, the wearing of a tie from one’s old school signals something to another person about one’s background and position in society. This allows favoritism, or nepotism, to a fellow tie wearer. So the phrase plays on two meanings of the word “tie,” both the literal object and the reference to connection.
But I am hopeful that a genuine English speaker can help me further clarify this phrase. After all, I speak American.
Saved By Words 
You are quite right! Old school tie refers to boys who went to the same school – so if you were an old Etonian you’re far more likely to give another old Etonian a bit of help career wise (for example) – even if you weren’t at school at the same time as them, but several years part. It’s a bit clubby/cliquey.
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So much for the girls for many decades I would guess.
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That should of course say ‘apart’. Oh, and the other thing is that a lot of private schools, and some of the grammar schools, refer to their former pupils as ‘old whatevers’. For example King’s Taunton – which is actually a public school, which of course is something else which has a different meaning either side of the pond – are old Aluredians.
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Yes public school always threw me too.
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Much the same applies with Regimental ties and titles where someone may hope, even expect, to get preferential treatment or service because of where they went to school, or which Regiment they served in, or what place in society they believe they have. The overall term is, perhaps, perceived entitlement, but definitely “unfairness” (which fits the 10 letters). A particularly male trait!
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Excellent alternative answer. Thanks. I forgot that I was equally baffled by the phrase “regimental ties.”
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Thank you Elizabeth and then, of course, there is the honours system with the Queen’s Birthday Honours and New Year’s Honours. I couldn’t even begin to explain those!
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Old school ties were once known to gain favour when worn in court if you are on trial. If it so happened that the judge recognised the tie from his old school, you might well get a lighter sentence.
I think it was very unkind of them to correct your accurate spelling. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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What a sorry instance in the court. I agree about my spelling. The new word check features allow you to set it for American or English spelling.
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I am American too. Old school ties certainly goes beyond nepotism and is about class and which top school one attended. I find that my favorite authors are all English, P.G. Wodehouse, Anthony Trollope and C.S. Lewis (born in Belfast). The illustration you use could go in a Wodehouse novel.
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I thought the puzzle clue was insufficient also.
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This is interesting. I always looked upon it as showing your school’s pride and wanting others to know you were a student. Granted, it was generally for the upper class and prestigious schools, but I always looked upon it as a positive, not necessarily nepotism.
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I am learning a lot from comment to this post.
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That’s a good thing. Do I feel a new post brewing?
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Coming soon.
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🙂
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Yes, having English “ties” here in Australia, being a part of the Commonwealth, we are very familiar with that term.
But here we call it the “old boy’s network” or “old girl’s network”.
It’s favoritism pure & simple to those members who went to the same Posh private school.
Especially noticeable in political circles but also evident in professional areas such as Medicine.
A blessed New year to you Elizabeth,
Jennifer
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I was just going to say “old boys network” – which can open many “doors” for varying reasons…careers, deals, other
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I am learning it still goes on!
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Wow. I suppose the same operates here, but on a more subtle level.
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But it can also operate on a more “nasty side of life” using advantage in ways normal people wouldn’t as an example.
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It’s shorthand for the kind of snobbery and classism that has given the UK so many incompetent old Etonians (prime example Boris Johnson) for prime minister.
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I can’t understand why the general public responds to it though.
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Never let it be said your blog is not educational! I wouldn’t have had a clue as to the meaning of ‘old school tie.’ I’ll be ready for the next crossword puzzle. 🙂
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LOL. Another American with no clue!
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Yes, definitely not a phrase I was familiar with as its origin is steeped in English culture. We tend to say ‘old boys network’ without the ‘tie’ on this side of the pond! Good thing I don’t do crossword puzzles! 🙂
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I think the replies above have covered the issue. It is indeed nepotism and favouritism with an added dash of class privilege.
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I think the class privilege goes beyond nepotism as I suspected.
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