Understanding the Greasers in "The Outsiders"

In the context of the 1950s and the novel "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton, a "greaser" is a term used to describe a young person, typically a teenage boy, who is from the wrong side of the tracks and is perceived as being rough, unkempt, and possibly dangerous. The term is derived from the fact that these boys often wore their hair greasy and long, and had a generally disheveled appearance.

In the novel, the Greasers are a group of teenagers who are from the wrong side of town and are known for their leather jackets, jeans, and pomaded hair. They are often at odds with the wealthier and more privileged "Socs" (short for "Socials"), who are seen as the more desirable and respectable members of society. The Greasers are led by the character Ponyboy Curtis, who narrates the story and provides insight into the struggles and challenges faced by these young people living on the wrong side of the tracks.