Could someone please explain the difference between 'slacks' & 'pants'?

[sundog]

And while we're on the subject, why are 'slacks' called 'slacks' if the simple wearing of them implies a lack of slackery? :shrug:

[Left Is Write]

1. Same as the difference between "soda" and "pop."

We might as well throw in "trousers" too.

[crispini]

2. Huh. Well, IMO, jeans are pants

but jeans are not slacks.

Maybe?

[sundog]

6. Image #2 was taken from:

www.shankys.com/pants2.jpg :wtf:

[fit4life]

3. Easy.

The age of the person describing your britches. That's the only difference. :)

[Maple]

4. Same as the difference

between couch and sofa. Or even chesterfield.

There isn't one.

[donheld]

15. the difference between couch and sofa

My father always called it a "davenport" or a "lounge"

[Maple]

20. Same diff

:D

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. I look at "slacks" as a subset of the category "pants"

Pants being all lower body wear that has separate sleeves for each leg running from waist to ankle.

Slacks are a particular form of pants. As are jeans, dress pants, dress slacks, etc.

:shrug:

But I really have no idea if that's correct or not. It's just how I've defined them.

[sundog]

19. So in other words...

'slacks' could be further broken down into sub-categories such as 'dress slacks' & 'horseplay slacks'

[Rabrrrrrr]

24. Could be

I don't know if there informal slacks or not, truthfully - perhaps khakis fit in that category?

But reading some of the posts below, I also agree with the poster who said that slacks should be itchy and uncomfortable. When I think of slacks of that godforsaken polyester.

Maybe "slacks" are the subset that is also called "cheap polyester pants that people think are dress pants, but aren't, since they're made of polyester". Since no self-respecting person wears polyester pants to anything that requires dress clothes. IMO.

[Reverend_Smitty]

7. both of those pictured...

could be considered slacks or pants depending on the age of the person calling them that. Slacks is something my grandmother would say, I've never met a person my age refer to any kind of pants as slacks.

Also Jeans wouldn't be slacks, they would be considered pants or jeans

[sundog]

8. OK, good answers, but can anyone answer question #2?

Why are slacks CALLED slacks. I will run a Wikipedia search :7

[papau]

9. Now what are Jeans???? - I'd say they are slacks! :-)

SLACKS. Pronunciation: slaks. WordNet Dictionary. Definition: (usually in the plural) pants for casual wear, a pair of trousers, usually of a type that fit loosely

[sundog]

11. So slacks should be worn for engaging in tom foolery?

[papau]

16. You would certainly not wear tight fitting pants/ trousers for Tom Foolery

loose is the essense of good Tom Foolery!

[babylonsister]

10. Jeans vs. dungarees?

Sack vs. bag? Hero vs. sub vs. hoagie? :shrug:

[sundog]

12. But who says dungarees anymore?

[babylonsister]

14. Are you insinuating I'm old?

j/k, but I did grow up callin' them that.

[sundog]

17. Of course not...

I've just never said "I need a new pair of dungarees" is all :P

[Sporadicus]

13. I Look Upon 'Pants' as a Generic Term

that covers blue jeans (dungarees), painter's pants, sweat pants, parachute pants, and dress pants. In my mind, 'slacks' is a more specific term referring to casual wear / dress pants.

[DBoon]

18. slacks are supposed to be ironed and have a crease

pants you just throw in the dryer and fold.

That's my difference.

[candy]

21. I used the word "slacks" one day and my grandaughter,age 9--

didn't know what I was talking about. Her mom says it's all "pants" now.

Who knew?

[tuvor]

22. I think slacks have to be itchy.

[sundog]

23. Funny that 'slacks' should immediately imply discomfort...

beins they're all slacky & whatnot