breeches etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: breeches, from Old English: brec (plural, "a garment worn by men on the lower part of the body")
  • Proto-Germanic: *brekōz (compare Old High German: bruoch, Old Saxon: brōk)
  • Possibly related to Old Irish: brāca ("breechcloth")

Meaning:

Breeches are a type of garment covering the legs and hips, worn by men, traditionally made of leather or fabric.

Origin:

  • Breeches have been worn by men for centuries.
  • Early forms of breeches originated as separate leg coverings, known as braies, which were worn by the Celts and other ancient European cultures.
  • Around the 14th century, braies evolved into the more tailored and fitted garment known as breeches.
  • Breeches became popular among men of all classes, both as functional workwear and as a fashion statement.
  • In the 17th and 18th centuries, breeches were commonly worn by gentlemen and military officers, often as part of a formal uniform.
  • By the 19th century, breeches had been replaced by trousers as the standard legwear for most men in Western society.
  • However, breeches continue to be worn in certain contexts, such as:
    • Traditional Scottish kilts
    • Historical reenactments
    • Equestrian sports (riding breeches)

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