‘CHOP FIGHTS” are a continuing tradition among boys and men, today (Shutterstock).

I was watching political debates the other day – one of my guilty pleasures– when it occurred to me that, “These aren’t debates. They’re not discussing issues and philosophies so much as they are insulting each other.”

These are – and I had to search my memory for the right term – “chop fights.” Back in the day (my day, anyway) boys would confront each other and before (or instead of) fisticuffs, they would take turns casting aspersions.

They were called “chop fights” because you sought to make telling remarks that would injure their status among their peers. Also known as “ranking,” this was a favorite pastime right through junior high, high school and college.

You ranked on the other guy’s looks, style of dress, athletic prowess and academic performance. Thus the terms “dweeb,” “nerd” and “schoolboy” were coined and thrown like a snowball with a rock embedded inside.

Now, the last one is the most interesting. In some circles, to be an ardent student with good grades was something to be pitied, implying that you were not “one of the guys,” the “guys” being the ones who end up stocking shelves at Food 4 Less on the midnight shift at the age of 48.

The practice continues in a more disguised form even in later years. “I just leased the new Tesla,” a man might brag. “What … are you driving these days?”

Women might say, “My husband and I will be celebrating our anniversary in Paris. I don’t suppose you get the chance to travel much, do you?”

Or, “I’ll bet you can travel as much as you like, not having a husband.”

Best response is to just smile and know that such a person is coming from a place of insecurity and shallowness. So what you’re doing is “chopping back” in a totally grown-up way.