Spoiled brat
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A spoiled brat (alternatively spelled spoilt brat in British English) is a child who believes that they are superior to others around them, usually as a result of their parents and/or other educators systematically failing to teach socially acceptable behavior and discipline. The term also carries the connotation of the child's being privileged, as well seldom being subjected to consequences of their actions. However, a child could be perfectly behaved and still be called a brat in a derogatory manner.
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The word brat is recorded in the English language since circa 1505, as slang for "beggar's child," originally northern, Midlands and western England dialect "makeshift or ragged garment," probably the same word as Old English bratt "cloak," from a Celtic source (cfr. Old Irish bratt "cloak, cloth"). The modern meaning of mischievous kid is perhaps from the notion of "child's apron." The adjective bratty was first recorded in 1961 by Lexi Bigg as Punk Faced Brat.[1]
The stereotypical spoiled brat is a child that comes from a rich or well-to-do family. In fiction there are also stereotypical exterior characteristics. In popular culture, they are often portrayed as being "princesses-like" or using stereotypical images of cheerleaders, "popular kids" and Valley Girls.
If a girl, she is almost always wearing a dress (some spoiled girls sometimes wear pants, like blue jeans) and sometimes has pigtails or very stylized and oversized ringlets, sometimes with a smile on her face to appear sweet, but may reveal some tomboyish behavior when alone with other kids.
A euphemism for "spoiled brat" would be "daddy's little girl" which is a girl that is usually pampered by her father.
A similar but more embracing term is that of a spoiled child, which only indicates that it is overindulged, but contrary to the brat is not necessarily misbehaving as a result; in a happy family a parent may even jocularly say something like "you're so spoiled, aren't you?" to a well-behaved child when he or she gets a treat or gift.
During the Cold War France was recovering its wealth and began large economic reforms from the aftermath of World War II. Because of this, the term enfant gâté (spoiled child) is quite common there. The term is mainly used for those French who were born at the time when France had recovered a lot of its economy and wealth, and for their children, who make up most of the underage population of France today.[citation needed] In Dutch, verwend nest (verwend means spoiled) only applies to girls.
There are many fictional characters (in literature, cartoons, film, television, comics, books...) who may be described as spoiled brats. This is usually due to their outward behavior around people, their financial situations, or the overaffection of their parent(s). Spoiled brats may also be considered antagonists of the show despite not being a villain.
- Tricia and Caitlin Cooke
- Caitlin Cooke is portrayed as a brat only in the pilot episode "Take this Job and Squeeze It".
- The Greeter Gods and Goddesses
- Stanley
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius
- Cindy Vortex and Libby Folfax
- Eustace Strych
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
- Leroy Lodge
- Cheryl Blossom
- D.W. Read
- Muffy Crosswire
- Penelope Lang
- The Betty Clones
- Infantor and his brat pack army
- Iciclia
- Empress Narcissitad
- Kyle
- Purrsy
- Koreena
- Nina Harper
- Burdine Maxwell and the Tweevils (Kirstee & Kaycee)
- Nigel Forrester
- Meredith (film)
- Calvin
- Susie Derkins
- Shreeky
- Mr. Blik
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Milk
- The Delightful Children from Down the Lane
- Valerie
- Sophie
- Jasmine Fenton
- Paulina
- Lucemon
- Called a "little brat" by Zoe Orimoto and "a spoiled little boy" by Koji Minamoto.
- Mimi Tachikawa
- Mimi Tachikawa is portrayed as a brat in the beginning.
- Kari Kamiya
- Called a "little brat" by Myotismon.
- Megan Parker
- Sarah
El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera
- Zoe Aves/Black Cuervo
- Che/El Zombie Tigre
- Trixie Tang
- Remy Buxaplenty
- Hilary Banks
- Carlton Banks
- Jason Fox
- Paige Fox
- Princess Farla
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
- Amber & Ashley
- Rico
- Sharpay Evans
- Ryan Evans
- Ryan Evans is portayed as a brat only in the first movie.
- Precious Stone
JumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery Mountain
- Polly Spark
Junie B. Jones/Junie B., First Grader (book series)
- Lucille
- May
- May is also portrayed as a tattletale
- The Clique Girls
- Cera
The Life and Times of Juniper Lee
- Maya
- Miguel
- Tito
- Angela Smith
- Primadonna Hodges
- Cindy Slam
- Ling
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
- Missy Meaney
- Suzie Crabgrass
- Evelyn Kwong
- Rusty McCay
- Brianna
- Max
- Piplup
- Harley
Princess Sissi
- Princess Helena
- LaCienega Boulevardez
- Gemini Stone
- Cassandra
- Aku Kid
- Princess Vi
A Series of Unfortunate Events
- J. T. Laser and the Lance 9,000,000,000,000
- The Terror Twins (Mandy Luxe & Mindy (Totally Spies!))
- Caitlin & Dominique
- Mandy's mother (Phoebe)
- Eric Bates
- Sincerity Travers
- Jervis Coltrane
- Penny (Mammodo with a less evil bookkeeper, Uri)
- Sherry Bellmont (Brago's bookkeeper)
- Naomi (Human Rival of Zatch and Ponygon)
- ^ EtymologyOnLine URL accessed February 15, 2006.