I was talking with my grandson recently and used the word breeches. He told me that he wasn’t familiar with the word so I explained what it meant. I told him that breeches originated as clothing covering the waist down with separate covers for each leg. Many don’t know that they were once considered underwear for men. Over centuries, they evolved into knickers, golf plus-fours, short pants, culottes (in French), trousers, breeks, and, of course, the colloquial britches. With the passage of time, woman began wearing them too. Once a symbol of nobility, they are now seen as livery attire for equestrians. Have you ever used the word breeches or britches?
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
lol thought it was Britches and it ment underwear learn something new everyday
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
NOM,
Words elolve and are created. English changes with the years. Alot.
Pat.
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Yes. I am 23 and say “britches” all the time to my son. I usually say something like, “Lawson, your britches are falling down”, or “Pull up your britches”. He’s 2, but he knows that I mean pants, jeans, etc. I know that the word(s) are pretty dated…but a lot of my family especially the grandparents and the great-grandparents used the word and others like it. I guess nowadays, words like britches and breeches are used more in the southern and western states…or so it seems.
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I have used the word britches but just kind of jokingly. Interesting evolution.
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Swampbaby,
I always heard, “You’re getting too big for your britches” from my folks.
Pat.
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Rebecca,
Speech is regional, based on an area’s education level, and of course area of iinterest. Colloquialisms still are happening.
Pat.
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
That’s a pretty interesting post Pat
I have heard the word breeches before.
I use the word britches…
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Julie,
Misppronunciations and misspellings cause many variant forms of any word.
Pat.
on Sep 20th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I’ve heard of and used both with britches prevailing. I love the OED for its word origins. It is so facinating to trace the evolution of words!
on Sep 20th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Nancy,
Jenna Elfman collects them because she loves soome of the older meanings.
Pat.
on Nov 14th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Interesting… I have used the word “breeches” (pron. “britches) for a long time! Meaning the long, somewhat protective pants worn to ride a horse. Americans tend to shorten and simplify words all the time, so we keep OED handy to keep us on the straight and narrow. The most fascinating book ever on the evolution of English is “The Story of English,” written by William Cran and Robert MacNeil. We got the hardback book when it first came out, and we treasure it. If you are interested in how words change (especially English), you will not be able to put this book down.