Origins Rag (student society)

university of pretoria welcoming of first years in pretoria s church square in 1910

the oxford english dictionary states origin of word rag act of ragging; esp. extensive display of noisy disorderly conduct, carried on in defiance of authority or discipline , , provides citation 1864, noting word known in oxford before date. rag collectors may have ragged passers-by until made donation.

alternatively, thought victorian era when students took time out of studies collect rags clothe poor.

much more recently, backronyms have been invented rag stand raise , give , raise grand or raising , giving ; these were, purportedly, coined convince manager in large charity of value of working student fundraisers.

the first rag in south africa started @ university of pretoria in 1925. students took streets in parade still exists today , known procession. during parade, build floats, carry cans , ask spectating public make donations. today rags held @ afrikaans universities called jool. acronym (jou onbaatsugtige opoffering vir liefdadigheid) translated afrikaans selfless sacrifice charity . annual jool/rag week held @ start of every academic year , serves kind of welcoming party students of university.