vest versus waistcoat?

**ForresterModern** · 25th November 09, 06:54 AM

American = English
Vest = waistcoat
truck = lorrie
elevator = lift
french fries = chips

and on and on. As said before, two countries divided by a common language.

**Joseph McLaren** · 25th November 09, 07:03 AM

UK..........................US
scones..............biscuits
biscuits.............cookies
pants.................shorts
shorts..........short pants
trousers...............pants
braces.........suspenders
suspenders........garters

I'm sure there are more, and that I've missed subtleties of meaning...

**Zardoz** · 25th November 09, 07:39 AM

I wear a vest with my Tuxedo and a waistcoat with my Dinner Suit!

I grew up around English sportscar guys, lots of different terms there; many of which I still tend to use in conversation.

antenna = aerial
drive shaft = propeller shaft
fender = wing
hood = bonnet
trunk = boot
odometer = clock

I was helping a lady who's car wouldn't turn over once, she was already upset, so I don't blame her for the blank stare she gave me for saying "It's down to a flat battery, pop your bonnet and we'll give you a boost"

**Tony** · 25th November 09, 07:50 AM

Authentic Scotsman showing correct wearing of a vest.
(Braces are optional and not particularly recommended)

**longhuntr74** · 25th November 09, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

I tend to use the two terms interchangeably as well, with the exception that I use waistcoat, or wesket, to refer to my 18th century garments.

I'm slightly curious as to when Americans began to refer to waistcoats as vests.

Darnit....he beat me to the punch!! I was going to post saying:

...or is it a weskit...

**Panache** · 25th November 09, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

I'm slightly curious as to when Americans began to refer to waistcoats as vests.

Anglophilia

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**MacLowlife** · 25th November 09, 08:58 AM

Robert, mon ami Ancien, isn't a VEST in France a sportcoat? And doesn't the term GILET make its way across the channel sometimes?

I believe the original question has been thoroughly and correctly answered, but I have seen the term "waist coat" used ( perhaps loosely) to refer to waist-length coats, i.e., short jackets with sleeves.

Somebody observed a few weeks ago that one highland outfitter calls their single breasted dress coat a singlet, which is yet another word for underwear ( like vest). I figure any time we can work the topic around to underwear, we have done a good job.

**Joseph McLaren** · 25th November 09, 09:10 AM

Herewith~ a waistcoat with sleeves:

http://www.old-town.co.uk/products/sleevedwaistcoat.htm

**Ancienne Alliance** · 25th November 09, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

Robert, mon ami Ancien, isn't a VEST in France a sportcoat? And doesn't the term GILET make its way across the channel sometimes?

I believe the original question has been thoroughly and correctly answered, but I have seen the term "waist coat" used ( perhaps loosely) to refer to waist-length coats, i.e., short jackets with sleeves.

Somebody observed a few weeks ago that one highland outfitter calls their single breasted dress coat a singlet, which is yet another word for underwear ( like vest). I figure any time we can work the topic around to underwear, we have done a good job.