why call it "The Kilt"?

[Tony]

"there can be only one!"

Where's that from, some film I think?

only the greatest movie of all time....Highlander.
And like the quote says, there IS only one. The sequels do not exist. Fight any scunner that tells you different.

[Lallans]

Carryover from the Gaelic, for sure. The same usage of 'the' can be found all through Irish and Highland english as written and spoken.

See, it just happened!

[Irish Jack O'Brian]

Gaelic carryover for sure. The same usage of 'the' can be found all through Irish and Highland english as written and spoken.

And I wonder if it might not also be related to the Auld Alliance, since the French speak often of "the" this and "the" that where English would say "a" or use no qualifier...for example one combs les cheveux - the hair, etc.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Once again I've been pipped at the post! Saying THE kilt is a holdover from the spoken Irish/Gaelic of the Highlanders.

[Spartan Tartan]

Well there ya have it. I am ever surprised at how much knowledge is held (collectively at least and also of individuals) by the members of this forum.

[beloitpiper]

I believe that it is indeed a carryover from Gaelic.

Kilt, if I'm not mistaken, is Gaelic for 'pleat'. So any mention of a "kilt" would refer simply to one of the many pleats in the back of 'the' kilt.

So it's along the same lines to what Father Bill mentioned above.

And I wonder if it might not also be related to the Auld Alliance, since the French speak often of "the" this and "the" that where English would say "a" or use no qualifier...for example one combs les cheveux - the hair, etc.

The word 'kilt' is not Gaelic in origin, however the use of 'the' instead of 'a' is...at least in this instance. Now, I can only speak about Irish (I don't know Scottish Gaelic) but there's two ways to refer to something. 'An' or 'Na'. 'An' is 'the' in singular form. When translating into English, 'An' is usually translated into 'a', but in Irish it acts more like 'the'. 'Na' means '[plural] the' and is translated into 'the'. Still with me? Ok, so even though both are translated different, they both, in their native Irish, act like 'the', just one is plural and the other is singular.

Hope that helps.

[Frank McGrath]

Because calling it "the skirt" just isn't right.

Plus, My little brother used to call Mom and Dad "The Parents". I always wondered why he did that.

[Lallans]

And I wonder if it might not also be related to the Auld Alliance, since the French speak often of "the" this and "the" that where English would say "a" or use no qualifier...for example one combs les cheveux - the hair, etc.

I see your point; having spoken french in the past, the le, la, les type-article is not something you notice but I've had ample opportunity to observe that it does also carry over into english if you're francophone and english is your second language.

However since it was the language of the people on the ground, the gaelic is what caused the 'the' phenom I'm sure, to be sure.

[Macman]

To refer to "the kilt" in general is to describe a mode of dress, e.g. "...to wear the kilt properly...."

I agree. When used this way, it's the same as in "To wear the kilt is my delight". In other words, "I like to wear a kilt/kilts". I can see how it can be confusing if you're not used to the terminology.

[The Barry]

The word 'kilt' is not Gaelic in origin

I stand corrected, thank you.