What is a NARP?
NARP most commonly stands for “Non-Athletic Regular Person.” “NARP is an acronym for non-athletic regular person. The phrase is used by college athletes to refer to non-athletes, often from an elitist point of view,” says Faraz. Though the term is often used casually, it carries a slightly negative or insulting connotation. Nwodo agrees, saying the term is “sometimes seen as an egotistical word.” “An athlete may post saying, ‘I wonder what NARPs do all day,’ or ‘NARPs are lazy,’ or something to that effect,” adds Faraz. The term can also be used as a teasing insult between athletes, especially after one player makes a mistake. For example, if a lacrosse player drops their stick, another player might sarcastically shout, “Good job, NARP!” Meet the wikiHow Experts Tobi (Hyperstridse) Nwodo is an influencer and content creator with over 600,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. His videos frequently address the latest memes, trends, and slang. Shayan Faraz (known online as Chum) is a content creator who frequently breaks down internet and pop culture. He has over 7 million likes on his TikTok account @chummertok.
NARP is occasionally used to mean “Not a Real Person.” This acronym is sometimes used in online chats or video games to refer to someone who’s suspected of being a bot. If a person regularly posts the exact same message in a game chat, for instance, someone might say, “Ignore the NARP.” Similarly, the term can be applied to someone who seems out of touch. For example, someone might be called a NARP if they said something like, “Doesn’t everyone have a nanny growing up?”
NARP sometimes means “Neuropathy, Ataxia, and Retinitis Pigmentosa.” This is a medical condition that affects the nervous system. It’s not very common, so you’re only likely to come across the acronym in this context if you’re talking to your doctor or discussing someone’s health. Symptoms of NARP include numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the extremities, hearing and vision loss, and cardiac irregularities.
Is NARP an insult?
NARP is usually used in a derogatory way. Most athletes use the term “NARP” as a casual label for non-athletes. However, it frequently has a somewhat negative connotation. For instance, it’s often used in a way that implies that non-athletes are lazy or not physically fit. It can also be used as a way to exclude non-athletes in an “us vs. them” way. NARP can also be used as an insult towards an athlete who isn’t performing well, or a former athlete who has left their sport. The term has become popular enough to have its own set of Urban Dictionary definitions—most of which are framed as insults.
Impact of the Term “NARP” in College
“NARP” may widen the divide between athletes and non-athletes. Collegiate athletes often spend a lot of time together, largely due to their rigorous training schedules, shared meal times, and team events. That can foster a strong sense of connection, even between athletes who play different sports. Unfortunately, it can also lead to a lack of interaction between athletes and non-athletes, creating a cultural divide. Using terms like “NARP” can reinforce the distinction, creating a feeling that athletes are a superior, insular group. It may also discourage athletes from participating in activities that they may feel are only for NARPs. “NARP” is a label that reduces the individuality of other students to a single trait (the fact that they aren’t part of a collegiate sports team), and it doesn’t account for the positive traits that make each person unique. It’s also used to promote stereotypes, like the idea that NARPs are nerdy or uncoordinated. “[NARP is] often used by athletes in college to describe people who aren’t on athletic scholarships,” says Nwodo. That means the term may disregard people who are athletic in other ways, like marathon runners, weight lifters, or people who participating in activities like cheerleading that are often excluded from a program’s official “athletic” designation. Stereotypes against athletes can also be harmful, like the assumption that they’re not academically gifted.
Final Thoughts
Exercise caution when using the term "NARP." When used in a casual, lighthearted way, “NARP” isn’t always super offensive. However, the term can definitely be seen as an insult, and it may also reinforce the divide between athletes and non-athletes on college campuses. As a result, it’s best to use it with caution!
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