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  3. Textiles / Clothing / Fashion

Hosen

English translation: trousers (UK)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Hosen
English translation:trousers (UK)
Entered by: jerrie

13:15 Jul 19, 2004
German to English translations [PRO]
Textiles / Clothing / Fashion / fashion
German term or phrase: Hosen
This is for a supplier to the textiles industry. I have translated it as "pants and trousers," which is the standard for the international fashion industry, but have run into the objection that "pants" are "underpants" in UK parlance. I want to see there's a consensus here -- will UK English-speakers be confused? This is for a website aimed at an international audience.
Lori Dendy-Molz
Germany
Local time: 04:22
pants - underpants
Explanation:
I think 'pants and trousers' leads one to think that the 2 are separate items, and although the majority of Brits know the US version of trousers is pants, I think we would still read pants as 'underpants'.

Maybe if you put 'pants/trousers' it would be clearer that you are referring to the same thing?
Pants (US) / Trousers (UK) to be really specific?

If this is for UK audience/market only, I would leave out 'pants' altogether!

hth

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Note added at 33 mins (2004-07-19 13:49:01 GMT)
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Quite often nowadays \'trousers\' are broken down into something more specific, like \'cords, jeans, bootlegs, chinos, combats\' etc etc, which gets round the issue totally!
Ladies trousers used to be called \'slacks\' .. but I wouldn\'t go there!
Just drop your pants!!!!!
Selected response from:

jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:22
Grading comment
You were first so you get the points. Thanks to everyone for an interesting discussion. Illustrates yet again how one can get tripped up on a seemingly mundane word.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2leave pants out
Ingrid Blank
4 +1pants - underpants
jerrie
4trousers
SEH
3slacks
Trudy Peters


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
leave pants out


Explanation:
if it is for the U.K. market

Ingrid Blank

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Textklick: Agree. Apart from anything else, "pants" has become pejorative in the U.K. (http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/p.htm)
12 mins
agree  Orla Ryan
42 mins
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
pants - underpants


Explanation:
I think 'pants and trousers' leads one to think that the 2 are separate items, and although the majority of Brits know the US version of trousers is pants, I think we would still read pants as 'underpants'.

Maybe if you put 'pants/trousers' it would be clearer that you are referring to the same thing?
Pants (US) / Trousers (UK) to be really specific?

If this is for UK audience/market only, I would leave out 'pants' altogether!

hth

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 33 mins (2004-07-19 13:49:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Quite often nowadays \'trousers\' are broken down into something more specific, like \'cords, jeans, bootlegs, chinos, combats\' etc etc, which gets round the issue totally!
Ladies trousers used to be called \'slacks\' .. but I wouldn\'t go there!
Just drop your pants!!!!!

jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:22
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 236
Grading comment
You were first so you get the points. Thanks to everyone for an interesting discussion. Illustrates yet again how one can get tripped up on a seemingly mundane word.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nicole Tata: yes, drop the pants
26 mins
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14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
trousers


Explanation:
I think UK readers (me included) would definitely understand this as "Unterhosen und Hosen". Since US readers understand and use the word "trousers" as well as "pants" (see e.g. the articles below from the New York Times + the Herald Tribune), I personally see no reason why you shouldn't just write "trousers" here.

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Note added at 59 mins (2004-07-19 14:14:44 GMT)
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I think \"trousers\" can be used for women too, even in the US, e.g.
http://eshop.msn.com/marketplace.aspx?pmpType=1&mpId=0&pcId=...
http://www.lib.ohio-state.edu/wmnweb/mflong

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Note added at 2 hrs 41 mins (2004-07-19 15:56:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Ok, I admit the Ohio articles a bit old, but the other ones aren\'t!


    Reference: http://www.kathybuckley.com/NewSite/press1.htm
    Reference: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2004...
SEH
Local time: 04:22
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
slacks


Explanation:
would be a US-alternative

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Note added at 2 hrs 57 mins (2004-07-19 16:12:33 GMT)
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Armani Wells Men\'s Clothing: Men\'s Slacks - Ducati Leather Jacket, Sean Jean Denim Set, Versace Dress Slacks, Kenneth Cole Jeans - all at low prices. ...
stores.ebay.com/Armani-Wells-Mens-Clothing_ Mens-Slacks_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQsclZallQQsotimedisplayZ2QQtZkm

Trudy Peters
United States
Local time: 22:22
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 54
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