A call to regulate the term "kilt"

[Freedomlover]

This seems to me to be a tempest in a teapot. Truth in advertising/labeling solves the problem quite nicely.

[beloitpiper]

(from the article) A machine-manufactured kilt is still a kilt even though it's not as good as a hand sewn one. And, although I'm no fan of them, kilts made from, say black cloth instead of tartan, are still kilts. And if customers choose to wear a cheap version that is really little more than a lady's skirt, dressed up in all the trinkets, belts and buckles . . . well at least we can have a laugh at them.

I feel the exact same way! I love laughing at them!

[gilmore]

Trying to precisely define the term "kilt" is actually quite difficult. I've had conversations about this with the good folks at the STA in the past. I fully understand and sympathize with the need to protect Scotland's national garment and prevent false advertising (more on that later), but attempting to do so by limiting the use of the term "kilt" will create a nightmare.

Here's what I mean. Can you define a kilt by the amount of yardage? ...
Can you define a kilt by the type of cloth? ...

Can you define a kilt by where it is made? ...
Can you define a kilt by how it is made? ...

Of course you can define a kilt in any of the ways set out above, or any other way that you want to. Legislatures do it every day.

Every law school student has studied the case law that evolved after oleomargarine was invented, and competed in the marketplace with butter back in the early 20th century. Some legislatures were controlled by the dairy interests, some by makers of margarine. Creative laws were passed that protected and promoted sales of each.

Here in Georgia we have a law prohibiting the sale of any onions grown outside of a few counties in south Georgia as "Vidalia" onions. It is all quite legal, has been for years, and we have adjusted quite nicely without the onion market crashing.

As was noted , "champagne" is an appellation controlee, as are the names of dozens of French wines.

The only people having nightmares are those on the loosing end of these legislative fights.

You may not like it, but it can easily be done.

[ChattanCat]

Well, well, well. What we have here is a garment that cannot be afforded by most middle income people. Imagine a wardrobe of nothing but kilts. Count your dress pants, casual pants, work pants, even shorts. How many? Now multiply by $700. Hom much? (I have 40 x &700 = $28k) Now I cannot afford a wardrobe for the price of a luxury car. So, we need luxury kilts and machine "kilts".

I would not call myself a kilt maker (at least not yet), but I make kilts. Am I to be barred from making kilts? Barred from wearing my scottish made 100% wool tartan, hand made to the exacting standards of Tewksbury's and Stuehmeyer's directions?

Doesn't sound practical to me.

CC

[Nick]

I dare this guy to examine my Ancient MacBeth, handsewn Tewksbury and tell me to my face it isn't a kilt

[Mr. MacDougall]

Like prohibiting "Arizona beef" being applied as a label to cows from (gasp) Texas?

"Arizona Jeans" are made in Mexico. "Arizona Ice Tea" is made in New York. It's a sad, sad world.

[sputnik]

"Arizona Jeans" are made in Mexico. "Arizona Ice Tea" is made in New York. It's a sad, sad world.

kind of like "Foster, Australian for beer" which is brewed in Canada.

Truth in advertising solves this whole problem. "Hand sewn in Scotland from Scotland wool" states the quality of the garment.

Over all, I am greatly troubled by the tone of elitism from several forum members. what is being said is that if i can't (or won't) spend as much for a kilt as you can (or will) then I am below you. whole thing makes me a bit sick.

[pdcorlis]

While I understand some of the frustration that leads to this sort of thinking it won't work - language can't be regulated, legislated, or controlled - its dynamic, flexible, and evolving.

[McClef]

Cheddar cheese is made everywhere but the little village in Somerset after which it is named.

The same applies for many other British cheeses.

Any legislation passed in the Scottish Parliament would only be enforceable in Scotland. This would of course have an effect on the misleading labeling activities of Edinburgh tat shops but if they moved their Internet supply business south of the border they could still merrily carry on with the same labeling.

[ChromeScholar]

"Hand sewn in Scotland from Scotland wool" states the quality of the garment.

Actually it doesn't. It states where it was made, and what it was made of. It could still be garbage. The maker of the kilt determines the quality, not the materials used, or location it was made.