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

[Earl D]

Well, since I own only one kilt (am jonesing after a couple of others) it's "the" kilt at my house.

[Urchurdan]

Living in Scotland, I have always said -'I wear the kilt,' the fact that I have several is immaterial, I don't know if its correct English or not - I am not English, so I do not pretend to know the niceities of that language.We also talk about 'the pipes' for bagpipes, eg 'I like to hear the pipes.' - Not I like to hear bagpipes....Maybe its a throwback to Gaelic, because again we say, 'I speak the Gaelic,' not just I speak Gaelic.
Just a thought....Alba Gu Brath......Urchurdan.....

[Carolina Kiltman]

Living in Scotland, I have always said -'I wear the kilt,' the fact that I have several is immaterial, I don't know if its correct English or not - I am not English, so I do not pretend to know the niceities of that language.We also talk about 'the pipes' for bagpipes, eg 'I like to hear the pipes.' - Not I like to hear bagpipes....Maybe its a throwback to Gaelic, because again we say, 'I speak the Gaelic,' not just I speak Gaelic.
Just a thought....Alba Gu Brath......Urchurdan.....

Ah yes, isn't English a fascinating language. I used to use as an example of the differences between spoken and written English, a film clip from "I dream of Genie" She is made to sound different and rather exotic (which she was) by the fact that she spoke in compleat sentences, and did not use contractions. (much in the same way the character of Data in Star Trek, next Generation did.

The term "the Kilt" refers not only to the garment but also like "the veil" a lifestyle, a conscious choice.


BTW trousers or pants is plural because the first ones were more like hose, one for each leg, and most people I know have a pair of legs.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I think in may have something to do with the highlanders, who after all introduced the kilt to the rest of Scotland, transliterating from spoken gaelic to spoken English-- hence, THE kilt.

So it would seem as if there are only THREE items referred to in Scotland with the prefix "the":

The Devil, The MacNab, and ..... (drum roll)...........THE KILT!!!!!!!

[Jock Scot]

I think in may have something to do with the highlanders, who after all introduced the kilt to the rest of Scotland, transliterating from spoken gaelic to spoken English-- hence, THE kilt.

So it would seem as if there are only THREE items referred to in Scotland with the prefix "the":

The Devil, The MacNab, and ..... (drum roll)...........THE KILT!!!!!!!

I stand to be corrected here, but should not The Chisholm, Chief of Clan Chisholm, be added to the list?

[Tetley]

I use both, and I think which one I choose is determined by the subject.

Singular subject: the kilt.
I wear the kilt.
He wears the kilt.

Plural subject: kilts.
They wear kilts.
We wear kilts.

I would also say "I have three kilts," not " I have three of the kilt."

I wouldn't. I'd say "I have three kilt". Kilt, as I understand it is both singular and plural, at least here in the UK. The phrase "the kilt" refers to the concept.

Mark

[Tetley]

Ah yes, isn't English a fascinating language. I used to use as an example of the differences between spoken and written English, a film clip from "I dream of Genie" She is made to sound different and rather exotic (which she was) by the fact that she spoke in compleat sentences, and did not use contractions. (much in the same way the character of Data in Star Trek, next Generation did.

The term "the Kilt" refers not only to the garment but also like "the veil" a lifestyle, a conscious choice.


BTW trousers or pants is plural because the first ones were more like hose, one for each leg, and most people I know have a pair of legs.

However, you do talk about a trouser leg - singular.

Mark

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I stand to be corrected here, but should not The Chisholm, Chief of Clan Chisholm, be added to the list?

You'll have to ask the McNab. He's the one who coined the expression in the first place.

[Jock Scot]

You'll have to ask the McNab. He's the one who coined the expression in the first place.

Without wishing to start up inter clan strife, can I quote an old(as in, long time ago) clan Chief of the Chisholms.

"----there are only three persons in the world who are entitled to use the definite article "THE", namely The Pope, The King and The Chisholm."

[Freedomlover]

If I'm wearing more than one I say "I'm wearing kilts", but if I only have one on I say "a kilt".