Pants or Trousers?

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

I know in the USA, when we say "pants" we mean an outerwear garment, which is amusing to Brits who use the same word for underwear. In England they say "trousers" when referring to outwear.

In typical American fashion, I am sadly clueless about how the rest of the English-speaking world uses these words.

In the story I'm working on now, I have a character from India, and a character from Canada. Can anyone advise me on how these characters would refer to their garments as they remove them?

 

[TarnishedPenny]

If nobody from there responds, I googled men's clothing stores there and found, among others, the following one: https://www.infibeam.com/mens-clothing. Wikipedia also has an article on Indian clothing. Good luck.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

If nobody from there responds, I googled men's clothing stores there and found, among others, the following one: https://www.infibeam.com/mens-clothing. Wikipedia also has an article on Indian clothing. Good luck.

Oh, that was clever. I'll follow up with that idea, thanks.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

GB Shaw once described the USA and the UK as two countries separated by a common language. Look forward to seeing your story.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

In Canada, we generally say pants, but trousers is also used casually. Trousers sometimes refers to 'classier' types of pants, altho it's hardly universal.

In your story, the reference rate should be 75/25 for pants to trousers. Older generations are more likely to use the word trousers. Millennials and Zeddies, not so much.

 

[TxRad]

Then you get down around Texas and it is Jeans and Levies.

 

[NotWise]

Then you get down around Texas and it is Jeans and Levies.

There are also slacks.

 

[ElectricBlue]

In Oz, we somehow "spot the language" - I'd write an Indian gent in trousers and a Canuck in pants. If I was writing an Oz country boy, he'd be in jeans or strides, but an Oz country girl would probably be jeans only. But she'd get you out of your strides fast as getting off a horse, if she was hungry enough.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

In Canada, we generally say pants, but trousers is also used casually. Trousers sometimes refers to 'classier' types of pants, altho it's hardly universal.

In your story, the reference rate should be 75/25 for pants to trousers. Older generations are more likely to use the word trousers. Millennials and Zeddies, not so much.

We'll, that's Canada settled by a local. Anyone know about India? I have a couple of co-workers I can ask if needed. Wierd sort of question to ask without any context though.

Then you get down around Texas and it is Jeans and Levies.

There are also slacks.

Thanks for the suggestions, but it's kind of a "military" story so we're talking about uniform pants here. Duty uniform, not dress. "Dungarees" is about the only synonym that might work, and I think for my purposes, "pants" or "trousers" would work best. And I've nitpicked over so many details in this story, I'd hate get this one wrong.

 

[Emirus]

I know in the USA, when we say "pants" we mean an outerwear garment, which is amusing to Brits who use the same word for underwear. In England they say "trousers" when referring to outwear.

In typical American fashion, I am sadly clueless about how the rest of the English-speaking world uses these words.

Speaking as an Englishman (because I am English) permit me to sort your pants out. In England trousers and pants are the same thing. It can depend on which part of the country you live or where you think you are in the “social ladder.” The word “trousers” is the older form which could be construed as formal and the word “pants” is the more casual term. We actually don’t use the word “pants” for underwear. The term we use for boxers or y-fronts is “underpants.” However thongs aren’t underpants they are just cheeky.

We travel regularly to the USA to visit our many relatives and friends. On one occasion my wife texted one of her cousins to let her know we had landed and we were waiting to collect our “hire” car. Not “rental.” It wasn’t until we arrived at our destination that we discovered her cousin had been wondering why we wanted a “higher” car.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

Speaking as an Englishman (because I am English) permit me to sort your pants out. In England trousers and pants are the same thing. It can depend on which part of the country you live or where you think you are in the “social ladder.” The word “trousers” is the older form which could be construed as formal and the word “pants” is the more casual term. We actually don’t use the word “pants” for underwear. The term we use for boxers or y-fronts is “underpants.” However thongs aren’t underpants they are just cheeky.

Clearly, my knowledge is out of date. I have to stop watching all those period dramas on BBC America and find something more contemporary. Although I'm pretty sure Midsomer Murders has already permanently skewed my view of rural England. Thanks for the update, Emirus.

 

[Emirus]

Clearly, my knowledge is out of date. I have to stop watching all those period dramas on BBC America and find something more contemporary. Although I'm pretty sure Midsomer Murders has already permanently skewed my view of rural England. Thanks for the update, Emirus.

If you ever visit England don’t go anywhere near Midsomer. It’s the murder capital of the U.K. There have been well over 200 murders in the last 20 years in Midsomer usually by little old ladies who look like Agatha Christie.

 

[KindofHere]

.............

 

[TxRad]

Thanks for the suggestions, but it's kind of a "military" story so we're talking about uniform pants here. Duty uniform, not dress. "Dungarees" is about the only synonym that might work, and I think for my purposes, "pants" or "trousers" would work best. And I've nitpicked over so many details in this story, I'd hate get this one wrong.

Military would be khakis for office types or desk jockeys. Fatigues, would be for field work or work and war in general.

 

[Paul_Chance]

Colloquially speaking the terms have merged together and are now pretty much interchangeable and region dependent, but from a fashion POV there was once a difference.

Trousers: Were worn formally, with a suit, and were made of high quality material that matched the coat, cut often from the same bolt of cloth, for a consistent weave. Additionally, trousers have the following characteristics - a snug cut (fitted), a linear drape, a zipper, two front pockets, and no rear pockets.

Pants: Were worn informally (without the matching coat or upper garment), even though they could be matched to other informal pieces (hence pant-suits). Pants do not have the same consistent pattern or weave as whatever top they are paired with. Pants have the following characteristics - any cut, from baggy to "why yes, you are circumcised", any number of pockets (from none to cargo pants), and can close via any method (zippers, buttons, strings, etc.)

A formal suit consists of a coat and trousers, but made of the same material. There is no such thing as an informal suit. All leisure suits are an abomination in the eyes of the Lord - wear a sport coat and pants.

Slacks are formal trousers meant to be worn without the matching coat.

 

[Carnal_Apple]

However thongs aren’t underpants they are just cheeky.

So they are. Quite literally.

 

[Handley_Page]

Colloquially speaking the terms have merged together and are now pretty much interchangeable and region dependent, but from a fashion POV there was once a difference.

Trousers: Were worn formally, with a suit, and were made of high quality material that matched the coat, cut often from the same bolt of cloth, for a consistent weave. Additionally, trousers have the following characteristics - a snug cut (fitted), a linear drape, a zipper, two front pockets, and no rear pockets.

Pants: Were worn informally (without the matching coat or upper garment), even though they could be matched to other informal pieces (hence pant-suits). Pants do not have the same consistent pattern or weave as whatever top they are paired with. Pants have the following characteristics - any cut, from baggy to "why yes, you are circumcised", any number of pockets (from none to cargo pants), and can close via any method (zippers, buttons, strings, etc.)

A formal suit consists of a coat and trousers, but made of the same material. There is no such thing as an informal suit. All leisure suits are an abomination in the eyes of the Lord - wear a sport coat and pants.

Slacks are formal trousers meant to be worn without the matching coat.

To make matters even more confusing, the term 'pants' is a term of derision; an expression of a thing not being good.

 

[Emirus]

Colloquially speaking the terms have merged together and are now pretty much interchangeable and region dependent

Additionally, trousers have the following characteristics - a snug cut (fitted), a linear drape, a zipper, two front pockets, and no rear pockets..

I wouldn’t disagree with you but and I do also think it depends upon the country in which you live. As an example, in England, trousers have always had a rear pocket (but never two) and could have either a zipper or buttons. Although a zipper is more common nowadays a button fly is not uncommon.

 

[Hypoxia]

In at least parts of the US, to 'pants' is a verb. Pull-em down.

 

[jehoram]

In at least parts of the US, to 'pants' is a verb. Pull-em down.

And, of course, here in the US you hear the expression "drop trou" ...

 

[Paul_Chance]

Yep, there is a lot of variation that is both regional and time bound. Not to mention many local colloquial expressions.

Here's a tip, if you travel, either regionally or internationally, and you want to blend in a little more and be stylish and not scream "tourist" with your clothes, the best approach is travel - and then buy local clothing. Let the local vendors worry about style.

From a writing sense, if you want to capture a locality you've never been to, or a nationality you have no experience with, find and read a local writer with an eye toward their descriptions. To ground your writing locally, there are often small details that local know and write about, that strangers won't know.

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I suppose I should have clarified right up front that I'm working on a Sci-Fi story for PuckIt's Geek Pride Day anthology. It's set aboard a starship with an international crew. So while era and fashion aren't really concerns, I was hoping to give it a bit of authenticity by using the "right" vocabulary for each nationality.

Turns out I over-thought this detail. It sounds like everyone who speaks English just says "pants" these days. Good to know.

 

[sr71plt]

I use "trousers" exclusively as opposed to "pants" for the male apparel, for the reasons of difference in perception across the English-speaking world that has already been noted above. If I've used "pants" in writing a draft, it gets changed in review. For a period piece, I mostly use "britches" and give detail on what they are in that period.

 

[RetroFan]

I use "trousers" exclusively as opposed to "pants" for the male apparel, for the reasons of difference in perception across the English-speaking world that has already been noted above. If I've used "pants" in writing a draft, it gets changed in review. For a period piece, I mostly use "britches" and give detail on what they are in that period.

Out of curiosity, what expressions for female underwear would you use if writing stories set in the past?

I have one story set in the 1920s, and referred to the main female character's underwear as her 'brassiere' and her 'panties' in narrative, but I'm planning one set prior to World War 1 where the lead male character fantasizes about his fiancée's underwear (no sex before marriage way back then). The characters are American so 'knickers' is out, but I don't think the expression panties was used a century ago either. Would 'drawers' be the right expression to use?

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

Out of curiosity, what expressions for female underwear would you use if writing stories set in the past?

"Bloomers" maybe?