"I wear kilts," or "I wear the kilt." What do you say?

**cacunn** · 14th March 08, 11:14 AM

Jock Scot - we would say the same thing on this side of the pond. The only reason I know any of this is when working for the US Department of Defense I was an instructor in one of their training schools. The idiots above me assigned me to help develop a course in non-bureaucratic writing. The group I was with was a DOD audit agency and the reports that were being written could not be read or understood because of the bureaucratic language. The principle was why use a $10 word when a $25 dollar word was available and more obscure. I had a friend with a Doctorate in English and one day over a beer I asked about "the". Apparently, I had had too many beers by then.

In my way of thinking is it is correct English if the person you are speaking or writing to understands you. It may not be grammatically correct but only a instructor of English would care.

So are you going to be wearing the kilt tonight?

**Jock Scot** · 14th March 08, 11:18 AM

I have been wearing the kilt all day!

**highlander_Daz** · 14th March 08, 11:22 AM

As Jock says its common to refer to "the Kilt" youll find its possibly from Military use, a lot of soldiers wear trews or "The kilt" wether or not its correct English is another matter, although not being English Im totally unconcerned.

**cacunn** · 14th March 08, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I have been wearing the kilt all day!

I'm glad you are wearing something - we wouldn't want to scare the acrylibeasts near you.

**Galician** · 14th March 08, 11:50 AM

In this issue, "the veil" refers to a generalized way of life. In this sense, it is a symbolic representation of the life itself. I don't see anything equivalent as regards the wearing of a/the kilt.

**Roan Carter** · 14th March 08, 12:06 PM

"The kilt" is correct.

Be darned if I've ever heard anyone in TN or VA say it though. It has always been "kilts" among my friends and family.

**Coemgen** · 14th March 08, 12:13 PM

I say both. I usually say something like "I wear kilts, but I will also say "The history of the kilt is…" So, it depends.

**andyfg** · 14th March 08, 12:17 PM

Interesting comments. Here is a more full quote from Dame Iris:

"It was perfectly extraordinary seeing all those women wearing veils. And they wear their veils in so many different ways. Or should we say 'the veil" like one says 'the kilt'?"

From the context the speaker seems to take it for granted that the correct way to speak of kilts is "the kilt."

**McClef** · 14th March 08, 12:22 PM

Context has to define usage.

It would not be correct to say "I have 24 of the kilt in my kollection" but it would be correct to say "I am a proud wearer of the kilt of which there are 24 in my kollection."

**Jock Scot** · 14th March 08, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

Context has to define usage.

It would not be correct to say "I have 24 of the kilt in my kollection" but it would be correct to say "I am a proud wearer of the kilt of which there are 24 in my kollection."

I'd say that sounds about right. As would "I watched two Scottish regiments(I wish!) on parade today wearing their kilts".AS would "I watched two Scottish regiments(still wishing!)on parade today and they were wearing the kilt".