What is a scrub?

[InFerrumVeritas]

I am realitively new to the forum, and read in annother thread about "scrub points". I tried reading the thread to see what a scrub was, but didn't get anything. I also searched but only got the same thread, so I'll just ask.

What is a scrub?

[telkanuru]

If you have to ask...

[erooMynohtnA]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=scrub

Generally on fencing.net it refers to someone who is a bad fencer. Think of all the people who have Italian grips, bandanas, colored socks, fancy salutes, or classical en gardes. Are they people you really fear?

[InFerrumVeritas]

If you have to ask...

EDIT: I'm sorry, that was rude and uncalled for as was my response.

[posternutbag]

I would say that a scrub is slang for a loser who tries to hard to fit in. Its sort of self-defining.

[mfencer2008]

Hehe, so that's a scrub!
I've seen quite a few. They're fiesty. Many do wear bandannas.

[CvilleFencer]

Generally for me, in my personal lexicon a scrub is anyone that is easily beaten by me. As I probably qualify by that same definition to some of the fencers out there it is somewhat relative. People who are scrubs for one fencer are not scrubs for newer/less skilled fencers. Generally however, it is someone fencing underwater or with serious flaws in their fencing. Some fencers are also goobers, muppets or just weirdo's. For me that is more where the fancy salute/bandanna/etc. part usually comes in...

[HDG]

Scrub = someone who sucks.
Fencingwise I'm a scrub.

[SFfencer]

TLC - "No Scrubs"

A scrub is a guy that thinks he's fly
And is also known as a buster
Always talkin' about what he wants
And just sits on his broke ass
So (no)

I don't want your number (no)
I don't want to give you mine and (no)
I don't want to meet you nowhere (no)
I don't want none of your time and (no)

[Chorus:]
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me

But a scrub is checkin' me
But his game is kinda weak
And I know that he cannot approach me
Cuz I'm lookin' like class and he's lookin' like trash
Can't get wit' no deadbeat ass
So (no)

I don't want your number (no)
I don't want to give you mine and (no)
I don't want to meet you nowhere (no)
I don't want none of your time (no)

[Chorus]

If you don't have a car and you're walking
Oh yes son I'm talking to you
If you live at home wit' your momma
Oh yes son I'm talking to you (baby)
If you have a shorty but you don't show love
Oh yes son I'm talking to you
Wanna get with me with no money
Oh no I don't want no (oh)

No scrub
No scrub (no no)
No scrub (no no no no no)
No scrub (no no)
No

[Chorus]

[Chorus]

[Chorus]

[Chorus]

[posternutbag]

SF pretty muched nailed it with the TLC lyrics. You do realize that that song was from last century? I should hope its usage is purely in jest, lest those who use such an outmoded term of derision run the risk of selflabeling themselves as the very thing that they scorn.

[AndrewH]

I came here to reply with a witty response but I see it's already been taken care of.

Keep up the good work fellow FNetters!

[KD5MDK]

it is someone fencing underwater

I think that's someone who doesn't care if their lame rusts.

[CvilleFencer]

I think that's someone who doesn't care if their lame rusts.

Below C (sea) level actually, just on the off chance you were not making a joke...

[InFerrumVeritas]

Allright, I'll take the comment about being a wierdo/goober/etc. as it is hard to argue that strange habits and mannerisms wouldn't make one so. I just had a hard time seeing how a fancy salute/bandana/long hair made somone a bad fencer.

[jkdjeff]

The implication is that they worry too much about things that don't matter (fancy salute) and neglect the things that do (actual fencing skills).

And yes, I'm a scrub, but not that kind. My salute is simple. :P

[erooMynohtnA]

Look, does any unusual behavior guarantee the fencer in front of you is good or bad? No, but there are some strong correlations, and I refuse to apologize for noticing them or pointing them out.

[AndrewH]

Fencing attracts many people because it's "different". People such as the Dungeon Master, who relishes the idea of engaging in combat with an actual weapon. Or the Rennaisaince Man, who likes to imagine bouts as if they were actual duels, complete with fancy salute and classical posturing.

Some of them outgrow the reason they started fencing and make the transition away from scrub. Others... not so much.

[mrbiggs]

Allright, I'll take the comment about being a wierdo/goober/etc. as it is hard to argue that strange habits and mannerisms wouldn't make one so. I just had a hard time seeing how a fancy salute/bandana/long hair made somone a bad fencer.

They don't MAKE you a bad fencer, but you can bet that my first touch is going to be a lot simpler if you step on the strip and bow three times with a huge salute, have a bandana, and wear weird socks.

On the other hand, if a fencer walks in like they know the place, have clearly used FIE gear and a bunch of NAC stamps, I'm going to start out fencing like they're going to hit me.

Both of these assumptions could be wrong. But they probably aren't.

[tkexi991]

They don't MAKE you a bad fencer, but you can bet that my first touch is going to be a lot simpler if you step on the strip and bow three times with a huge salute, have a bandana, and wear weird socks.

On the other hand, if a fencer walks in like they know the place, have clearly used FIE gear and a bunch of NAC stamps, I'm going to start out fencing like they're going to hit me.

Both of these assumptions could be wrong. But they probably aren't.

The song basically says that there is something wrong with a guy who talks himself up when he has nothing to talk about. So by definition, if you call yourself a scrub, you really aren't one.

In my experience, I haven't gotten anywhere making assumptions about someone's fencing ability just by what they look like or what they wear. The first time I did that in GA I got embarrassed by a little girl who wears colored socks and carries around a stuffed animal. Turned out she was a B.

[phillipmj]

if headbands make you a scrub, then i'm in the scrub club.

it keeps the sweat off my glasses. it might make me look stoopid, but i figure i'd look worse stabbing the director in the eye because i couldn't see. i might even get a card out of that.