costume

[The Barry]

Don't worry, I'm sure that the silent indignation got the message through, loud and clear.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I find it interesting that the word "costume" has taken on so narrow a meaning in the last 60+ years. As a lad, the term referred to any specialised clothing, as in "bring your swimming costume" or " students who do not own their own cricked costume, may borrow one from the school's stock".

I agree that it is largely (now) more or less of an insult to anyone wearing something out of the ordinary, ans all too often applied to the kilt.

[bchunter]

I find it interesting that the word "costume" has taken on so narrow a meaning in the last 60+ years. As a lad, the term referred to any specialised clothing, as in "bring your swimming costume" or " students who do not own their own cricked costume, may borrow one from the school's stock".

I agree that it is largely (now) more or less of an insult to anyone wearing something out of the ordinary, ans all too often applied to the kilt.

I've thought about that. This old gal may have been using a language of old where words and phrases were different than they sometimes are today, but the otherwise use of current language leads me to believe she was merely ignornant of the reality.

[Rex_Tremende]

This old gal may have been using a language of old where words and phrases were different than they sometimes are today, but the otherwise use of current language leads me to believe she was merely ignornant of the reality.

That's why I often use the question, "How do you mean?" (or some variation) when I feel that I might go off half-cocked on something someone says to me. It gives me the chance to listen a second time to be sure I understood what the speaker was saying, and to re-evaluate my gut reaction to the first thing.

Regards,
Rex.

[SteveB]

American term "Swimsuit" is still referred to as "Bathing Costume" in most of the rest of the world.

[wyldathart]

That's why I often use the question, "How do you mean?" (or some variation) when I feel that I might go off half-cocked on something someone says to me. It gives me the chance to listen a second time to be sure I understood what the speaker was saying, and to re-evaluate my gut reaction to the first thing.

Regards,
Rex.

I try to do so as often as possible. Sometimes folks just say something that they meant one way and it came off another. I'm guilty of that alot .

[wvpiper]

but the otherwise use of current language leads me to believe she was merely ignornant of the reality.

or, since they associate the dress with bagpipes, it is in a sense a costume, and that is there reality.
Maybe if you had taken the time to discuss it a little more, you could have determined what she meant, or at the least helped her understand your reality.