short pants
Short pants is the dated North American term for what most of the English-speaking world simply calls shorts or short trousers.
Definitions
Short pants is the dated North American term for what most of the English-speaking world simply calls shorts or short trousers. The phrase carries a slightly old-fashioned or nostalgic flavour, evoking images of mid-20th century children's clothing and school uniforms. Today it mostly appears in period contexts, older speakers' vocabulary, or ironic usage — as in calling an adult out for wearing them as if they're still a kid. In contrast, British English has always preferred the term 'short trousers'.
His dad showed up to the board meeting in short pants and a polo shirt, completely unbothered by the horrified looks.
Comments
(North America, dated) short trousers.
“"No Short Pants since 1978" -The Jesse Farrell Guarantee”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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Semantically related
- track pants63%
The standard term in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US for sweatpants or jogging bottoms — loose, comfortable trousers with an elasticated waist, typically made from soft fabric. The word is the natural equivalent of British 'tracksuit bottoms' and is used entirely without stigma in athletic and casual contexts.
- jogging bottoms62%
Jogging bottoms is the standard British English term for what Americans call sweatpants — those loose, elasticated-waist trousers designed for exercise but mostly worn for comfort on the sofa. In the UK they're firmly everyday casualwear; the phrase conjures Saturday mornings, lazy evenings, and the eternal debate about whether they're acceptable to wear in public.
- jogging pants62%
The standard term in Canada and the Philippines for sweatpants or track pants — loose-fitting athletic trousers with an elasticated waist. The term is descriptive and straightforward, rooted in the clothing's original association with jogging. It is used without stigma in everyday casual and athletic contexts.
- jogging bottoms62%
(British) tracksuit bottoms, (US) sweatpants.