breeches
Pants — the old word that still covers jeans, khakis, and work trousers.
Also called britches, breeks.
Updated September 21, 2026
breeches pronunciation
/BRICH-iz/
Meaning
Trousers or pants. In Southern and Appalachian talk you hear britches more than the school spelling breeches, but it is the same word. It once meant knee-length men's wear. Now it means whatever covers your legs when Mama says go change them muddy ones. Shows up in too big for your britches when somebody gets proud.
How folks use it
- “Go change them muddy breeches before you sit on Mama's couch.”
- “That boy got too big for his breeches after one good ball game.”
Origin and etymology
From Old English brēc, plural of a word for a leg garment. Breeches was standard for men's lower wear until long trousers took over. Britches is a long-standing spelling and pronunciation variant. Dictionary of American Regional English labels britches chiefly South and South Midland. Civil War letters and Smoky Mountain talk keep the word for everyday pants.
Frequently asked questions
Are breeches and britches different?
Same pants. Britches is how most Southern mouths spell and say it. Breeches is the older dictionary form.