From Webster's dictionary:

Main Entry: 1skirt
Pronunciation: \ˈskərt\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse skyrta shirt, kirtle — more at shirt
Date: 14th century
1 a (1): a free-hanging part of an outer garment or undergarment extending from the waist down (2): a separate free-hanging outer garment or undergarment usually worn by women and girls covering some or all of the body from the waist down


Main Entry: kilt
Function: noun
Date: circa 1730
1 : a knee-length pleated skirt usually of tartan worn by men in Scotland and by Scottish regiments in the British armies
2 : a garment that resembles a Scottish kilt


I don't worry if folks call it a skirt... .it is. I worry about tone of voice, are they being jerks about it? Are they being sincere and not aware of the more correct term? Usually I just say...Thanks!!