Wearing a kilt. Wearing kilts. Wearing my kilt. Wearing THE kilt

[JonathanB]

I recently heard someone pronounce that correct usage is not to say "wearing a kilt" but "wearing the kilt".

That sounds rather cool.

Anyone come across this theory before?

And what about "wearing my kilt"?

[Father Bill]

Yeah, we've been around this mulberry bush before. It's just one of the vagaries of language that seems to apply to certain garments. Those who have tried to explain it have been disproven by others who in turn... well, you get my drift. It just happens.

Generally, "Wearing the kilt" is a more generalized concept than either of the other two formulations, but you could easily substitute the other two in a generalized sentence.

Now let the mud-slinging begin!

[Jock Scot]

No mud to sling. I think most Scots would probably say for example "He wears the kilt well" , "you wear the kilt well" and so on. I think I do most of the time, no idea why, or even, if its "correct".

[The Wizard of BC]

I have been know to use "The Kilt" as one word, and to capitalize both.

But then "The Kilt" holds a rather special place in my life. So when I get dressed in the morning I may say "I put on my kilt" I may also say something like "If you come to my shop we can talk about The Kilt".

I use "The Kilt" as a sort of third-person, personal, Noun. And for you Grammertarians out there a two word, third person, personal Noun is proper English language usage, I saw it on the internet.

[Tobus]

Hmm, I've not seen the previous arguments on this before. In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter? I could say "I'm going to wash the car" or "I'm going to wash my car", and it would mean the same thing. From a strictly grammatical standpoint, using a possessive doesn't change anything in terms of being correct. Saying "he plays the guitar well" is just as correct as "he plays his guitar well", just like "he wears the kilt well" or "he wears his kilt well".

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but if people are really being disagreeable on this, they may need to try going outside and living a real life.

Am I missing something here?

[McMurdo]

It may be pedantic, bu there you have it. I have heard of this in the past and personally I like it. I wear the kilt though strictly speaking it is correct to say I wear my kilt as well. I do however like the sound of it when I say I wear the kilt.

[Chas]

I wear my kilts, because I don't have any body else's to wear.

[Calgacus]

I think it's just a minor difference between Scottish grammar and other varieties. We are prone to saying 'wearing the kilt' or 'playing the guitar' or whatever. I don't know the origins of it, I just consider it correct Scottish grammar.

I wouldn't correct anyone for saying it one way or the other, to me it's just a minor curiosity of an academic nature.

[BCAC]

I would say I'm wearing one of my kilts today or I decided to wear a kilt today. I don't think that I've ever heard of any other article of clothing referred to as "the". Like "Oh, you're wearing the trousers, today?" or "Oh you're wearing the suit today?" or even "I decided to put on the polo shirt today". I would never refer to my kilts as "the kilt".

[Grouse Claw]

I'm with the Scots' explanation. As for the amateur grammarians...words at last fail me.