Old School
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- For the Will Ferrell film, see Old School (movie)
- For the Tobias Wolff memoir, see Old School (memoir)
Old school is a slang term referring to old ways of thinking or acting, and to old objects in general, within the context of newer, more modern times. It generally does not have a negative connotation (cf. obsolete or out-dated). Indeed, it may be used to indicate a time (perceived to be) of better standards or level of craft. Many apply the term old school as if one would say, "They just don't make 'em like this anymore."
Old school is often interchangeably used with the word nostalgia but practitioners of semantics often define old school as simply of an earlier period but not neccesarily inferior or hopelessly dated. Nostalgia, on the other hand is often given the negative connotation, for example as a sentimental attachment to dated works many of which are now considered embarrasingly corny or cheesy in their execution. This definition is often associated with cartoons and other children's shows, especially after one reaches adulthood.
Old School has some specific meanings:
Old School Hip hop, referring to the rap music of anywhere from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Hip hop historians consider the late 70s to the early 80s to be old school, then the late 80s to 90s as Golden Age, but the mainstream often refers to the late 80s, early 90s period as Old School.
In the world of rock music, Old School usually refers to the period between the early 1970s, when hard rock and heavy metal emerged, and the early 1990s, just before the advent of grunge. This period is a common format for classic rock/AOR radio stations.
The dividing line for Old School for computer games is often drawn at 3D and 32-bit games.