Trousers

Trousers

/หˆtraสŠzษ™z/
Noun United Kingdom

Pants/slacks.

Example Sentences

"Put on your trousers."
"New trousers for work."

Etymology & History

British term for pants, from Irish Gaelic 'triubhas'. In British English, 'pants' means underwear, 'trousers' are outer leg garments. The American/British split occurred in the 19th century. 'Put your trousers on' is British, American 'put your pants on' sounds like undressing to British ears. Major source of transatlantic confusion.

Word Details

๐Ÿ“
Region
General British
๐Ÿ“…
Era
Victorian
โœ“
Language
Mild
๐Ÿ’ฌ
Formality
Informal
Categories:
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Anglotopia's Dictionary of British English 2nd Edition

British Slang from A to Zed

By Jonathan Thomas

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