What are the differences amongst trousers, pants, and slacks?

ggr8auntie1458

I have a partial answer that I hope helps. I found it at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A129647 In AmE (American English) A pair of Pants is refered to as an item of clothing that is worn to cover the lower torso from Waiste/Hip to ankle. In BrE (British English) A pair of Pants is refered to as an item of clothing that is worn to cover the lower region of the body from Hip to just below the Groin. Pants are usually covered in public by another article of clothing called trousers. Hope this helps a bit. Feb 20 07, 10:39 AM

Baloo55th

As auntie says, American pants are British trousers. Pants in the UK are underpants and worn under trousers (just to confuse the enemy). Pants in the UK can also be a term of disapproval somewhat equivalent to c**p. Panties are the female equivalent. Slacks are a now mainly female garment equivalent to trousers. They could also be male, but that usage has gone in most places. It's a slightly dated term now. Slacks were informal and loose fitting as opposed to tights which are close fitting, and in the UK can either be skin tight nylon stocking type stuff, or slightly looser opaque material (which can be worn without an outer garment). In the US, one may wear knickers openly, but in the UK knickers are panties, our equivalent to US knickers being plus fours (the name coming from the overhang when they were tucked into the sock. 'Don't get your knickers in a twist' that wouldn't have the same impact in the US. If you come across a reference in a UK context to kecks, that's a regional name for trousers. Trews are a Scottish form of trousers, as worn by certain Scottish regiments instead of the kilt. Feb 20 07, 11:18 AM

star_gazer

And Baloo are jeans used to refer to denim trousers like here in the States? Feb 20 07, 2:02 PM

Baloo55th

We just call them jeans normally, but occasionally denims. Never called denim trousers here. Feb 20 07, 2:18 PM