Over time, American English shortened the name from pantaloons to pants. The garment worn underneath was deemed as underwear. In British English, trousers were already in common use, pantaloons became less known, and the name for the garment worn underneath was shortened from ‘underpants’ to ‘pants’.
In this post
Do Americans say trousers or pants?
The Macmillan dictionary says the word trousers is “mainly” British, which implies that it’s not entirely British and Americans also use it.
What do American people call trousers?
Pants
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| Trousers | Pants |
| Pants / Underwear / Knickers | Underwear / panties |
| briefs/underpants | shorts/jockey shorts |
| Jumper / Pullover / Sweater / Jersey | Sweater |
Why do British people say trousers instead of pants?
Pants is the normal word in the UK. There is a difference in use of the word in different forms of English. In American English, it means what is known as trousers in the UK. If pants is used in India with the American definition, that suggests an American influence on the English learnt there.
Why do people say pants instead of pant?
From its inception in English, pants has been plural. It’s a shortened adaptation of pantaloons, those tight-like leg coverings worn by pirates and Shakespearean characters. And in those eras of 300 or 400 years ago, before pants were a single entity, pants were actually two separate garments.
Do British say trousers?
This is a rather old-fashioned term for what Americans call “pants” and Brits call “trousers,” which is my subject today.
What do Americans call biscuits?
cookies
Biscuit (UK) / Cookie (US)
In the US, cookies are flat, round snacks made of sweet dough. In the UK, these are generally called biscuits, although people do call the bigger, softer kind cookies, too.
What do the British call a sweater?
According to British dictionaries, “sweater” is used in British English in the same sense as in American English but “jumper” is commonly used instead (though some say that “sweater” is used for heavier ones worn for warmth).
What do northerners call trousers?
Whereas ‘pants’-wearing Northerners enjoy a ‘bap’, ‘bun’ or ‘barm’ for their ‘tea’, Southerners in ‘trousers’ are more likely to tuck into a ‘roll’ for their ‘dinner’, find language researchers at The University of Manchester.
What do British call shorts?
The British English term, short trousers, is used, only for shorts that are a short version of ordinary trousers (i.e., pants or slacks in American English).
Is trousers and pants the same thing?
Main Difference -Trousers vs Pants
The difference between them lies in usage. The main difference between trousers and pants is that the word trouser is commonly used in the UK whereas the word pants is commonly used in America. It is also important to note that in the UK, pants refer to undergarments.
What do British people call soda?
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the term “fizzy drink” is common. “Pop” and “fizzy pop” are used in Northern England, South Wales, and the Midlands, while “mineral” or “lemonade” (as a general term) are used in Ireland. In Scotland, “fizzy juice” or even simply “juice” is colloquially encountered.
What do British call cucumbers?
an English cucumber is just the kind you’d buy normally in a British supermarket as ‘a cucumber‘. They differ from the ones usually sold in the US, which are shorter, thicker- and smoother-skinned, and have bigger seeds.
What do Brits call potato chips?
If you want a bag of what Americans call ‘chips’ in the UK, just ask for crisps.
What do Americans call roundabouts?
The American word is traffic circle or rotary.
What do Brits call sneakers?
For example, in the United Kingdom, sneakers are known as trainers.
What do British call boots?
boot
*Watch out!* A boot can also describe a shoe and a trunk can also describe an elephant’s nose!
How much British English do you know?
| British English (Br) | American English (Am) |
|---|---|
| bill (restaurant) | rubber boots / rain boots |
| boot (car) | French fries |
| pocket money | check |
What do Americans call a fleece?
If made from fleece fabric, it’s a sweatshirt.
Why do Northerners say us instead of me?
“Us” for me is common in the north east (of England) particularly Co Durham Land of Prince Bishops. It’s just an old English way of speaking. Many people say “us” but if they are writing will use the word “me”.
What do pants mean in British slang?
(UK, slang) Rubbish; something worthless. You’re talking pants!
Do they say pants in Liverpool?
Kecks. ‘Kecks’ are known as pants or trousers in Liverpool.