Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Jul 19, 2004 13:15
19 yrs ago
German term
Germany
Experienced journalist and marketing pro
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English
Hosen
German to English
Other
Textiles / Clothing / Fashion
fashion
This is for a supplier to the textiles industry. I have translated it as "pants and trousers," which is the standard for the international fashion industry, but have run into the objection that "pants" are "underpants" in UK parlance. I want to see there's a consensus here -- will UK English-speakers be confused? This is for a website aimed at an international audience.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +1 | pants - underpants |
jerrie
|
| 5 +2 | leave pants out |
Ingrid Blank
|
| 4 | trousers |
SEH
|
| 3 | slacks |
Trudy Peters
|
Proposed translations
+1
7 mins
Selected
pants - underpants
I think 'pants and trousers' leads one to think that the 2 are separate items, and although the majority of Brits know the US version of trousers is pants, I think we would still read pants as 'underpants'.
Maybe if you put 'pants/trousers' it would be clearer that you are referring to the same thing?
Pants (US) / Trousers (UK) to be really specific?
If this is for UK audience/market only, I would leave out 'pants' altogether!
hth
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Note added at 33 mins (2004-07-19 13:49:01 GMT)
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Quite often nowadays \'trousers\' are broken down into something more specific, like \'cords, jeans, bootlegs, chinos, combats\' etc etc, which gets round the issue totally!
Ladies trousers used to be called \'slacks\' .. but I wouldn\'t go there!
Just drop your pants!!!!!
Maybe if you put 'pants/trousers' it would be clearer that you are referring to the same thing?
Pants (US) / Trousers (UK) to be really specific?
If this is for UK audience/market only, I would leave out 'pants' altogether!
hth
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Note added at 33 mins (2004-07-19 13:49:01 GMT)
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Quite often nowadays \'trousers\' are broken down into something more specific, like \'cords, jeans, bootlegs, chinos, combats\' etc etc, which gets round the issue totally!
Ladies trousers used to be called \'slacks\' .. but I wouldn\'t go there!
Just drop your pants!!!!!
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "You were first so you get the points. Thanks to everyone for an interesting discussion. Illustrates yet again how one can get tripped up on a seemingly mundane word."
+2
13 mins
leave pants out
if it is for the U.K. market
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Textklick
: Agree. Apart from anything else, "pants" has become pejorative in the U.K. (http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/p.htm)
12 mins
|
| agree |
Orla Ryan
42 mins
|
14 mins
trousers
I think UK readers (me included) would definitely understand this as "Unterhosen und Hosen". Since US readers understand and use the word "trousers" as well as "pants" (see e.g. the articles below from the New York Times + the Herald Tribune), I personally see no reason why you shouldn't just write "trousers" here.
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Note added at 59 mins (2004-07-19 14:14:44 GMT)
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I think \"trousers\" can be used for women too, even in the US, e.g.
http://eshop.msn.com/marketplace.aspx?pmpType=1&mpId=0&pcId=...
http://www.lib.ohio-state.edu/wmnweb/mflong
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Note added at 2 hrs 41 mins (2004-07-19 15:56:10 GMT)
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Ok, I admit the Ohio articles a bit old, but the other ones aren\'t!
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Note added at 59 mins (2004-07-19 14:14:44 GMT)
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I think \"trousers\" can be used for women too, even in the US, e.g.
http://eshop.msn.com/marketplace.aspx?pmpType=1&mpId=0&pcId=...
http://www.lib.ohio-state.edu/wmnweb/mflong
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Note added at 2 hrs 41 mins (2004-07-19 15:56:10 GMT)
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Ok, I admit the Ohio articles a bit old, but the other ones aren\'t!
Reference:
http://www.kathybuckley.com/NewSite/press1.htm
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040226/COLUMNIST23/402260316
2 hrs
slacks
would be a US-alternative
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Note added at 2 hrs 57 mins (2004-07-19 16:12:33 GMT)
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Armani Wells Men\'s Clothing: Men\'s Slacks - Ducati Leather Jacket, Sean Jean Denim Set, Versace Dress Slacks, Kenneth Cole Jeans - all at low prices. ...
stores.ebay.com/Armani-Wells-Mens-Clothing_ Mens-Slacks_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQsclZallQQsotimedisplayZ2QQtZkm
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Note added at 2 hrs 57 mins (2004-07-19 16:12:33 GMT)
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Armani Wells Men\'s Clothing: Men\'s Slacks - Ducati Leather Jacket, Sean Jean Denim Set, Versace Dress Slacks, Kenneth Cole Jeans - all at low prices. ...
stores.ebay.com/Armani-Wells-Mens-Clothing_ Mens-Slacks_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQsclZallQQsotimedisplayZ2QQtZkm
Discussion