Since I’m starting to talk to more people online from other countries, I’ve been getting more curious as to what they call certain items.
And because I had a very confusing conversation with Jack Chambers about words for specific clothing, I wanted to know what others thought.
So I asked them to tell me their slang words for a list of 10 items. Some I knew, so I didn’t.
The people who answered are:
Mathew aka The French Connection aka Early Bird Special from Northern England
Desiree from the Mountain/Western United States
Jack Chambers from Southern England
Jan Harák,Liberec, Czech Republic
Steena Born & raised in Ohio, USA
Anna, I grew up in London, England, but have lived in Seattle, WA. for the past 8 years
Jens Reineking from Hattorf, Germany
| 1 |  |
Mat: Depending on the thickness this could either be a waistcoat or a body warmer, it’s also the sort of thing a train spotter or bird watcher would wear so you could call it a dork jacket
Desiree: vest Jack: Waistcoat Jan: Vest Steena: Vest Anna: Vest Jens: Weste |
| 2 |  |
Mat: that there is a vest… also known as a boob sculptor or the ‘she’s having a day off and needs an excuse not to wear a bra
Desiree: Sleeveless tank top OR muscle T Jack: Vest Jan: Tank Top Steena: Tank top Anna: vest Jens: tanktop |
| 3 |  |
Mat: that’s a waterproof jacket also know as a wind breaker, ramblers armour or a jerk offs wipe down suit
Desiree: Jacket Jack: Jacket (also, possibly sports top) Jan: Jacket Steena: Windbreaker or jacket Anna: Jacket Jens: Jacke (slang perhaps Kutte (cowl)) |
| 4 |  |
Mat: that’s a jumper, or a sweater. It’s also referred to as ‘this itchy fucker’ the ‘thanks nan’ and the winter warmer
Desiree: Long sleeve shirt – i would say sweat shirt if it’s like super thick material Jack: (Freddy Krueger’s) Jumper Jan: Jumper Steena: Sweater Anna: Jumper Jens: Pullover |
| 5 |  |
Mat: ha easy one, these are trousers, some times called slacks by people of my generation. for years they were deemed uncool by the jeans wearing crowd but they are actually more comfortable, better fitting and cover up your ass ya damn hoodlums
Desiree: Pants Jack: Trousers Jan: Pants Steena: Pants Anna: Pants Jens: Hose |
| 6 |  |
Mat: Ok the ones on the left are Y-fronts, tighty whiteys, or ball-a constrictors. the ones on the right are knickers, unmentionables or ‘go on it’s his birthday’ both are pants either ways
Desiree: Underwear Jack: Pants Jan: Panties Steena: Underwear, briefs, panties Anna: Pants Jens: Unterwasche |
| 7 |  |
Mat: I wear these all the time, I love me my Chucky T’s. Personally I’d call these sneakers but my countrymen would refer to them as trainers
Desiree: Shoes – although I have heard people say “chucks” for that particular style Jack: Trainers (usually say Converse when referring to those ones specifically) Jan: Shoes Steena: Those specifically are Converse, but Converse falls under the heading of sneakers or tennis shoes Anna: Trainers Jens: Turnschuhe / Sneakers |
| 8 |  |
Mat: That’s a bag, I call mine my backpack but many call it a rucksack. Some call it a home and others a comforter… mine is filled with old news papers and a paper cup once used by Cher!
Desiree: Backpack Jack: Backpack Jan: Backpack Steena: Backpack Anna: Rucksack Jens: Rucksack |
| 9 |  |
Mat: these are ice-pops. My mum said it was the only thing that stopped me crying when I was teething as a baby. They come in multiple sizes the worst being the tiny five inch ones given to you by stingey relatives the best beig the foot long mamma jammers that took you forever to eat.
Desiree: Freezypops Jack: Ice Lollies Jan: Ice cream Steena: Freezerpop. It is decidedly different from a popcicle, which comes on a stick Anna: Ice pops Jens: Wassereis |
| 10 |  |
Mat: We call them ‘cans of pop’ in merry old England. some people… SOUTHERNERS mostly call them ‘cans of drink’ because they are from the south and basically pansies who ain’t good for nuffin… lousy southerners…. damn them all
Desiree: SODA Jack: Fizzy drinks Jan: cans Steena: pop Anna: Fizzy drinks Jens: Softdrink |