7358 - Why is the opening of men's pants called a "fly"?

[scottobear]

One root of the word "fly" (meaning "to soar through the air") also implies "flapping." Several sites revealed that tent flaps, which cover the tent's fasteners, much like on your 501s, lent their name to fly-front pants. The first documented use of "fly" meaning "tent flap" was in 1810.

Europeans started getting into pants, as we know them, in the 16th century. Fly-front trousers were invented around 1650, although the flap didn't gain its flighty name till later. This center-front opening was considered a little risqué, and pants closures changed between a fly and a fall-front style for the next century or two.

In 1844, a book about military clothing made the first recorded use of "fly" to mean "pants opening."

Comments

[mootpoint.livejournal.com]

For a short time, several years ago—pre LJ—I had the screen name of "zephyrwindow". I thought it was clever but a: no one got it and b: it was longer than I cared for.

Zephyr is a light breeze. A west wind. A zephyr window was what people use to call the little flap on the ass of overalls... harhar you would have thought I would be the butt of more jokes...

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

oh, that's cute! I nicknamed my current bike the Zephyr, too. :)

ZW is a great nickname.. very clever, indeed.. (though I prefer mootpoint.. maybe because of familiarity.)

I still think of Jesse Jackson's SNL skit "The question is Moot!" gameshow skit, when I see your username out of context.

[uberbastard.livejournal.com]

Hey, I can't find your #. I've been down here for 2 days and I just got to a computer. I don't know what the plan is today but if we stick around mail me your # so's we can hook up and all.

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Your Political Profile

Overall: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

[ckirkman.livejournal.com]

God I love etymology.

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

likewise... I love the reach involved with that one.

oooooooooooh

[phillykat.livejournal.com]

i thought it had something to do with eenie weenie peenies. ;)

Re: oooooooooooh

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

heehee...

i'm liking the ethics stats

[phillykat.livejournal.com]

we're the same...

Overall: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal
Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal
Defense and Crime: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Re: i'm liking the ethics stats

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

I wonder if we answered the same questions the same waY?

[gilbertbee.livejournal.com]

I always learn something interesting from your journal. Thanks for making eljay a worthwhile use of my time. :)

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

my pleasure to pass info along.

I guess it sounded better than "weinerflap". :D