Clothing and fashion are a huge part of modern life. But did you know that fashion has also left its mark on the English language, with some of the most commonly used words in the English language having a connection to the world of fashion? In this blog post, we will look at ten words that have their roots in fashion.
Culottes
The first word on this list is "culottes". Derived from the French phrase “culotte courtes”, it refers to a type of knee-length trousers that are split up the sides. This garment was popular among both men and women during the Renaissance period, and the word eventually made its way into English.
Jeans
The word "jeans" is also derived from French, as it comes from the French phrase "bleu de Genes", meaning "blue of Genoa". This phrase is a reference to the city of Genoa in Italy, which was known for its high-quality blue dye. Eventually, the phrase was shortened to "jeans", and the rest is history.
Chiffon
The word "chiffon" is derived from the French word "chiffe", which means "rag". It is an extremely lightweight and sheer fabric, which was popular in the 19th century for evening wear and haute couture.
Sari
The word "sari" is derived from the Sanskrit word "sattika", which means "strip of cloth". It is a traditional garment worn in South Asia, consisting of a long piece of fabric draped around the body.
Denim
The word "denim" is derived from the French phrase "serge de Nimes", which means "serge from Nimes". This phrase is a reference to the city of Nimes in France, which was known for its high-quality serge fabric, which eventually became known as "denim".
Flannel
The word "flannel" is derived from the Welsh word "gwlanen", which means "woolen fabric". It is a soft, lightweight fabric that is often used to make clothing, such as shirts, jackets, and trousers.
Tweed
The word "tweed" is derived from the Scottish phrase "tweel", which means "twill weave". It is a rough, durable fabric that is often used for tailored jackets and coats.
Brogue
The word "brogue" is derived from the Irish word "bróg", which means "shoe". It is a type of dress shoe with decorative perforations on the toe, which was traditionally worn by Irish peasants.
Kilt
The word "kilt" is derived from the Scottish word "kilt", which means "to tuck up". It is a traditional garment worn by men in Scotland, which consists of a pleated skirt-like garment that is worn around the waist.
Tuxedo
The word "tuxedo" is derived from the French phrase "toujours xédé", which means "always dressed". It is a formal suit that is typically worn to semi-formal or formal events, such as weddings and galas.
As you can see, fashion has had a huge influence on the English language. From "culottes" and "jeans" to "tuxedos" and "kilts", these ten words all have their roots in fashion. So the next time you're talking about clothing or fashion, remember that you may be using words that were originally derived from the world of fashion.