Fashicon found it quite humorous how words can reflect the values of society at a given moment in history. Focusing on ‘Trousers’, here is how the word evolved over 500 years:
breeks 1552- · strosser 1598-1637 · strouse 1600-1620 · brogues 1615-1845 · trouses 1679-1820 · trousers 1681- · inexpressibles 1790- · indescribables 1794-1837 · etceteras 1794-1843 · kickseys/kicksies 1812-1851 · pair of trousers 1814- · ineffables 1823-1867 · unmentionables 1823- · pantaloons 1825- · indispensables 1828- · unimaginables 1833 · innominables 1834/43 · inexplicables 1836/7 · unwhisperables 1837-1863 · sit-down-upons 1840-1844 · pants 1840- · sit-upons 1841-1857 · unutterables 1843; 1860 · trews 1847- · sine qua nons 1850 · never-mention-ems 1856 · round-me-houses 1857 · round-the-houses 1858- · unprintables 1860 · stove-pipes 1863 · terminations 1863 · reach-me-downs 1877- · sit-in-'ems/sitinems 1886- · trousies 1886- · strides1889- · rounds 1893 · rammies 1919- · longs 1928-
You can’t help laughing your unmentionables off at the very thought that the prudish Victorians were so easily embarrassed?!? This 19th Century word, and others like “unwhisperables” and “never-mention-ems”, reflects Victorian prudery. Back then, even trousers were considered risque, which is why there were so many synonyms. People didn't want to confront the brutal idea, so found jocular alternatives.
At Fashicon there is nothing to whisper about, we say it like it is, like the fabulous: Farah Vintage Mills Hopsack Trouser, Fila Vintage Frankie Track Pants and Aem'kei Bustor Pants all available from www.fashicon.co.uk. Visit our site today and see what we have for you - we don’t even mind if you mension-em to your friends?!?
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