Word Up, You Ivy Playas

Get a load of the lingo used on this invitation to a party at the Yale Club. Res ipse loquitur. Or maybe I should say, dang, that's wack.

This phenomenon is ancient: The privileged and powerful find their images of cool in the culture of those whom their parents and bosses despise. Stylish young nobles in medieval Europe cut up their clothes to look like soldiers and thugs. They wore multicolored coats to look like musicians (remember the pied piper?). And here's a party for bankers and lawyers and yachtsmen, where the dress code is ``preppy fabulous'' (``so wear your best blazer'') -- trying to snatch a little gangsta aura. ``Word up, you Ivy playas.''

You cannot make this stuff up.