Help me in English language!

[kokopup]

When I talked about dressing up I always refered to my trousers as "dress slacks". With a man's suit the trousers were called slacks, never pants. Since retiring I have a closet full of "dress Slacks" that I never wear except for the occasional funeral. I don't do weddings. The closest I come to dressing up now is a pair of Dockers. I think Dockers are almost trousers but probably just pants. I am sure there are also many regional differences here in the US that I'm not aware of.

[Barbara]

Well, how interesting. I have always thought that Americans referred to all trousers as pants. I just thought that that was what they called them.

How would it be in British English? Would a woman's business suit have pants or trousers? (If it doesn't have a skirt )

[Killearn Kitties]

The closet I come to dressing up now is a pair of Dockers. I think Dockers are almost trousers but probably just pants. I am sure there are also many regional differences here in the US that I'm not aware of.

Do you have a photo so that we can decide for ourselves?

[Barbara]

How would you define slacks?

[Moesha]

Dockers are like khaki pants. I don't use the word trousers or really even slacks. "Pants" is a universal word for me that covers all long things on one's legs, male or female, that aren't made out of denim...those are jeans. It could be a regional thing but is probably more generational.

[Killearn Kitties]

How would it be in British English? Would a woman's business suit have pants or trousers? (If it doesn't have a skirt )

We don't call trousers pants. Ever. Men or women's. Pants to us are knickers.
Don't ever tell any of your colleagues in London that you are wearing pants with your suit. They will be concerned that you don't wear them the rest of the time.

[Moesha]

Knickers are pants that come to your knees and are sort of fitted with a band at the bottom causing the fabric to balloon out just a bit.

[Killearn Kitties]

Knickers are pants that come to your knees and are sort of fitted with a band at the bottom causing the fabric to balloon out just a bit.

No, no, those are bloomers!

If it is not too indelicate, can I ask what you call the garment you wear under your pants?

[Moesha]

Underwear or panties, but only women wear panties.

Yikes. Don't do an image search for "knickers"! LOL

Knickers.

[Killearn Kitties]

Those are Plus Fours! The sort of thing golfers used to wear? So knickers go on the outside then?

[Moesha]

Yes, knickers go on the outside.

[Barbara]

These (on Moesha's picture) would be Knickerbocker in German. And I always thought bloomers were a similar cut- but woman's panties/knickers in the time of our grannies, white, with lace at the hem?

[Moesha]

Yes, that's what bloomers are. Women would wear them under their dresses in days long ago.

[Edwina's Secretary]

So knickers go on the outside then?

They would be rather scratchy on the inside!

[Killearn Kitties]

OK OK, I just thought from Moesha's original description that she was talking about something that went underneath your clothes. I was still concerned about what Barbara might say to her colleagues, which is more that she deserves after bringing up the missed plane issue the other day.