ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: waistcoat vs vest

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:52:45 GMT

We wouldn't use vest either for a waistcoat. A vest is what both women and men wear in the winter under their shirts and jumpers. I wouldn't use the term pants either as trousers, or as meaning no good. I would simply say 'no good' or 'useless'.

And yes, be careful, there is a difference between British English and English English. The Scots, Irish and the Welsh are not the same, with their own native celtic languages. What you need to use as a yard stick is known as BBC English, Queen's English or Received Pronunciation - and they vary as well!

Re: waistcoat vs vest

optilang — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:56:34 GMT

a man's three-piece suit: pants, jacket, and vest (note that our British friends wouldn't use the term "pants" either, I don't believe)

Correct, we would not use 'pants' in the above.

In British English the term 'pants' = underpants worn by males.

You can also call something or someone 'pants' to mean they or it are rubbish/no good.

e.g. The England team are pants at scoring goals.

Re: waistcoat vs vest

Clive — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:43:42 GMT

Hi,

In BrE (unless it has changes since I lived there), a vest is the undergarment that you wear under your shirt, while a waistcoat is, eg, the sleeveless upper part of a 3-piece suit.

What I call a 'waistcoat', I believe Americans call a 'vest'.

Clive

Re: waistcoat vs vest

Grammar Geek — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:39:53 GMT

We don't use the word "waistcoat" - we think of if as something that the White Rabbit would wear in Alice in Wonderland.

A vest is one of two things: either it's part of a man's three-piece suit: pants, jacket, and vest (note that our British friends wouldn't use the term "pants" either, I don't believe). It's the part that goes over the shirt, under the jacket. It doesn't have any sleeves. It's difficult to see the vest, but you can see where the jacket ends; the vest is under it.

A vest can also be a knit sweater without sleeves.

Re: waistcoat vs vest

New2grammar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:14:36 GMT

GG, could you give your American view first so I've something to compare with?

Thanks

Re: waistcoat vs vest

Grammar Geek — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:12:36 GMT

There are differences from one side of the Atlantic to the other as well. I'm going to let a BrE speaker answer, because I think that's what you will want.

waistcoat vs vest

New2grammar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:01:22 GMT

Is there any difference between a waistcoat and a vest?

Thanks!