Just like style, language has trends. And many a language trend can run hog-wild in the world of style. Use words like these amongst the vast majority of people who don’t care about menswear (sorry, men’s clothes) and you run the risk of sounding like a contrived windbag. Monkey’s knit bowtie by Lands’ End Canvas. Top Photo Credit: Robert Young
1. Man
As in: Be a man… a grown man wears… a man does this… a real man does that… etc. Often accompanied by a #rules on twitter. Usually spouted by types who are convinced they don’t have any more growing to do.
2. Wrist-Game
Term born from the increased popularity of the layered-bracelets look. Also can be used to describe a man’s watch, how his shirt cuff looks against a jacket, or a combination of those as well as with bracelets.
3. Queue
“I was in the queue at Target…” Whoa pal (chap?). You were in a “line.” Trying to sound sophisticated by throwing British slang around is as effective as a post grunge band trying to look edgy by flipping letters in their band’s name.
4. Trousers
Whatever happened to just calling them pants? Not a big deal unless the user insists they aren’t pants.
5. Menswear
Whatever happened to just calling it clothing?
6. Gentleman
Depends on whether or not one is referring to himself as such. See the paradox.
7. Cheers!
Hardly ever verbalized, and that’s a clue that it’s probably a little silly to type. The working class version of “Ciao” with an undercurrent of alcohol. If you’re going to toast, toast to something specific… and not in an email at 8:30am.
8. Correcting usage of the terms Oxford/Button Down/etc…
No, not correct usage, but instead sounding like a know-it-all when you correct someone who’s incorrectly using a term. For better or for worse, they’ve become catchalls. All dress shoes aren’t technically oxfords. All dress shirts aren’t made of oxford cloth. And shirts that have buttons all the way down the front, but not on the collar, might not be called “button downs” in some circles. But that doesn’t mean the message still doesn’t get across. If someone views the liberal usage of these terms as some sort of tragedy that must be corrected publicly, know that the person doing the correcting will be about as popular as a grammar nazi. Have some tact and never bluntly correct then leave a person hanging (ex: That’s not a button down). That just makes you a complete ass. If you want to help someone get it right, then by all means, but be decent about it.
9. Enjoy
Someone just did something that they think will be of use to you, and they follow up with this. Mostly benign, but it’s assuming that their deed was truly worthy of enjoyment. Sort of like a preemptive “you’re welcome”.
10. We
A tumblr, twitter feed, or .com does not make an editorial board. If it’s just you then stick with “I”.
Half of those are “Common British terms being used by Americans to look fancy”
As a Brit then I’m presumably still allowed to use them?
As an expat working in Europe I often use cheers, trousers and queue.
I think Brits are indeed going to have to use their judgement and take note of which ones apply, but the list has at least some good perspectives for all
Considering that Dappered usually covers sales and opportunities occurring in the US, it makes sense that the list aims at what I would assume is the main audience.
I say trousers, but just because I hate the word slacks – and sometimes you have to delineate between jeans and wool… trousers.
I find it a touch ironic that a site that works with Art of Manliness has problems with the word “man”. Granted, it’s so, so overused and used incorrectly that I understand why it’s on the list, and I hate phrases like “Be a man” and “Man up”, but there are some people who know what they’re talking about when they say Man.
I would hardly call Aussies sophisticated, but “we” also.
I think “trousers” is actually a pretty useful word to describe creased, wool (or other fabric) dress pants, but I can see how it would sound douchey to the everyday person. We have a dozens different names for shirts and shoes, so I think we can call some pants trousers.
When I think of slacks, I think of pleated, poly-blend sack pants a wife buys for her office drone husband. Even if they are the same thing as trousers, that’s what I think of. Here’s a NYT article about eliminating the word “slacks” from the English language: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/new-yorker-word-nerds-drop-slacks-in-online-contest/.
“Grown man style” is the worst.
I am also an expat, in London. We use cheers, trousers and queue all the time. Infact, using the word “line” or “pants” will get you funny looks.
Cheers gentlemen! How about we all queue up for a wrist-game within my trousers? You may want to bring along a change in menswear.
Enjoy! I know I will.
Let’s not forget ‘chambray.’ Boy did I get hounded for that one…
worst. dappered post. ever.
These words seem somewhat arbitrarily chosen. I’d rather like to hear the story behind how each of them made you cringe
Dammit, let’s call us sophisticated and let others argue against it! It’s time those in the US learned that we don’t all dress in Khaki shorts and say “Crikey!!!”
I don’t have a Netflix “line,” I have a Netflix queue. It’s a different word and it is still used in the United States.
Cheers is perfectly fine in a drink context (e.g., a ton of NYC bartenders say it each time they serve a drink), and enjoy is fine for a waiter or bartender to say after service is delivered. Outside of those times, I agree they’re a little overused.
Also, I’d never heard of “wrist-game” before, but the fact that it’s used enough to warrant inclusion on this list is disconcerting.
Why? It’s the name of the material.
As an American that travels frequently and has many friends from Britain, Ireland and Australia, I winced a little bit at these. I will stubbornly stick to my Americanisms and get made fun abroad for using words like “pants” but I am completley guilty of using cheers as a low class “ciao” in both my speech and emails.
Generally, though, I do get annoyed when people in America try to throw British lingo in their speech. I was talking to a guy from Seattle, the other day, and he kept referring to the “boot” of his car and after five minutes, I wanted to strangle him.
Aside from #8, I don’t have a problem with any of these.
I do use some of these tool terms – as other commenters have noted, “trousers” is a useful term to distinguish between “ordinary” pants like jeans and chinos, and dressy, creased wool trousers, which are basically in their own category.
I also use “cheers” to end emails and other communications. I attribute this to the fact that I’ve been on the Internet since I was 13, and many of the friends and acquaintances I’ve made have been British, Irish, Australian, Canadian, etc., so it’s something I picked up quite a long time ago.
As far as correcting technical clothing terms like oxford/blucher – this seems like a really weird criticism, coming from a style blog. Yes, there are scads of people who use these non-interchangeable terms interchangeably. But if people are using the terms incorrectly, in the context of learning more about style and menswear, I think it is perfectly legitimate to let them know. There’s nothing more pointless than trying to converse with people when you’re talking past each other with terms that mean different things to each of you.
Seconded, oh wait… I think I have a problem with using “tool” as a blanket insult against people who use common terms in conversation.
Queue more accurately describes the situation. Line connotes nothing; you must either “stand in line” or “wait in line.” There’s nothing wrong with being precise with your language. In that way, it is dissimilar from most of the other words or phrases on the list, with the exception being “correcting the usage of oxford/button-down/etc.” But, in that case, the issue comes from the fact that you’re correcting another person’s use of language, which is the source of tool-ness in the first place. If I correctly described all my shirts to you, you may be impressed. That’s just my two cents on the subject.
I might start using “wrist-game” actually. It sounds like a fun term.
11. Calling people “tools” sure does mean that you shouldn’t use #6 to describe yourself…bro.
I am guilty of using gents in at least half my posts. I often use cheers. Time for some creativity.
Ohhhh yeah – i say it and then call myself a douchebag in my head…. my wife busts my chops every time.
#3…. HA! those bands are all so terrible. I mean, to each their own…. but seriously. they are terrible.
#7 – “Cheers”, “ciao”, “best”, “regards” – they all suck and sound pretentious. these are wayyyyy over used in corporate america, and I work twice as hard trying to break the mold….
#10 – We think this one sucks.
SWAG. Please add SWAG. Kill swag with fire.
You realize, of course, that the proliferation of terms like “cheers,” “ciao,” “best,” and “regards” came about because people like you were working to break the “sincerely” mold?
I guess it’s not as bad as when I sat on the board of my church a few years back – every e-mail from every person (except me) ended with “Blessings” even if there was nothing remotely spiritual about the content of the e-mail.
Items 6-10 are completely bunk. There’s nothing wrong with any of those.
And yes, I did just use menswear. Because “clothing” refers to anything people wear and “menswear” refers to a particular tradition of Western men’s clothing involving suits, blazers, sport coats, shirts, ties, oxfords, bluchers, etc.
If I talk about “clothing” I could be talking about anything, from a $12 Wal-Mart sundress to a wool Visigoth tunic unearthed from an ancient burial site. “Menswear” is a simple shorthand to refer to the KIND of clothing that people here are generally interested in.
Zero problem with AoM. I think the way they use it (and the way that say, EffortlessGent uses gentleman) is genuine. It’s when it’s being forced down your gullet that it can make someone sound weird.
Let’s kill off “steezy” or “steeze” please. Those non-words make my skin crawl every time I hear them uttered.
Never called anyone a tool. Using the terms doesn’t mean you’re a tool. But it might make you sound like one. I’m guilty of a few of these myself… brah.
Oh man, you must be new here. This won’t even crack the top (bottom?) 10.
thanks Comic Book Guy.
I myself like best… Don’t use it much, but it seems classy (to me)
Looks like you are calling out Grant Harris here, because he is guilty of pretty much all of these.
Certainly 6-9.
So, we’re not allowed to say “queue” or “trousers” or “cheers” even if we’re British, but we are allowed to mix up terms for items of clothing that could cause us to be sold the wrong thing? Hmm.
I definitely agree with #1, especially the “real man” variant. “Real” anything really gets my goat. I would also add saying “rocking” when you mean “wearing”. Also “bad boys” to mean “items”.
Especially “pants”. Pfffhehehehehee
Because using the actual term for something is apparently a sin.
Oo I love ‘enjoy’. I use it whenever someone says they have something else/better to do:
“Hey I’d love to chat but I’ve got to go trim my nose hair”
“Enjoy”
I’ve been following this normally very informative and entertaining website on a daily basis for months, and this is the first time you’ve disappointed me. The only thing more annoying than “contrived windbags” –which doesn’t really even make sense, since things are contrived, not people– are those who complain about them. Please lay off the language critiques (since that’s clearly not your forte) and stick to discussion of sartorial
matters.
“queue” “trousers” (and “washroom”) are also used by many Canadians — they seem harmless enough to me, why not use synonyms in everyday life?
I agree that “cheers” and “gentleman” (or “ladies” for that matter) seem a bit anachronistic or even pretentious. Even so, not egregious.
Well if we’ve only disappointed once in a few months, that’s a pretty good record no? And as far as the language critiques clearly not being a strong suit… look, some people might take some offense if they use some of these words. Again, not calling anyone a tool, but I think it’s worth knowing that if you throw these words around in mixed company, you might come off as such. We can certainly agree to disagree though.
And the dissection of what can or can not be “contrived” sorta falls under #8.
Three out of the last four strike me as someone who has never been to the United Kingdom.
None of these are as bad as the relentless misuse of the word, “real.” ehhmmm.
Heaven forbid that we should try to use words properly. How silly of me; I forgot this is the Internet.
If you’re a Brit, go right on ahead. C’mon now.
Yup.
Lemme guess, a few of these rang a bell with you? Again, these are just observations of words/phrases/how things are delivered that when used as such in a specific setting, they might come across as snotty from the perspective of someone who wouldn’t spend a second of time on a website like this or others like it. I’ve done many of these, myself, numerous times. Take it or leave it. And no skin off my nose if you leave it.
(Nice semi-colon by the way.)
Good thing that’s not happening here.
Who, exactly? The problem with overuse of words like ‘man’ and ‘gentleman’ is that the context they’re used in heavily skews towards people explaining how ones acts or behaves like a man/gentleman. You say some of them know what they’re talking about, I say those are just the ones you happen to agree with.
I actually kind of like this post. As someone who enjoys thinking/reading about menswear (oops!), what I found repellent about the men’s fashion subculture is the overt, ubiquitous fetishization of ‘Manhood’ almost as some abstract deity of masculine identity whose altar we all need to worship at. A Man always does…, A Man never says…, Every Man needs in their wardrobe…, etc. It’s played up in magazines like Esquire and GQ, and on sites like AoM and Gilt. It’s almost as though decades of women’s lib and the change that’s entailed for men’s place in the world has created a backlash where an entire generation now pine for/recreate the image of themselves they have from 60s Playboy magazines. Put on a dinner jacket and some good jazz, and relax with a glass of good scotch.
The post only touched on this slightly, but I do think it’s unfortunate that there doesn’t seem to be any place for male fashion that doesn’t foist outdated gender roles on you. Hearing someone tell me how to be a gentleman (e.g. A Gentleman never uses the word tool except in its literal meaning) just makes me think of Victorian guides on how girls should learn to act like Proper Young Ladies. That kind of stuff always seemed really overbearing; fashion for me is about self-expression, not doing it the “right way,” which the whole Man/Gentleman thing seems to imply.
‘Queue’ isn’t British slang. It’s the only word we have for it. Personally I can’t stand ‘line’. Its right up there with driving ‘stick’, and referring to tortoises as ‘turtles’.
Looks like you’ve struck a nerve this time Joe. I can’t remember such an opinionated comments section. You haven’t started voting Republican have you?
I will. Sorry if I was snappy mate (see what I did there?)
Apologises Joe. Just reread this post and realised I’ve come across as all aggressive. It’s all ‘tongue in cheek’ really.
So to go with your logic. If I tell my girlfriend she sounds like a bitch, she should be cool with it because I didn’t call her a bitch. I just told her that the words coming out of her mouth makes her sound like one.
The fact is, Joe, people visit this site because it’s a style blog. They probably wouldn’t be reading your articles if they found you considered them slobs or “tools” based off of their style. You’ve gained your readership by appealing too like-minded individuals who agree with you or at least find your criticism constructive. Now, here we have you branching out into critiquing peoples usage of the English language, and since you’re not dealing in your typical subject, you’re going to end up fracturing your readership into people who agree with you about clothes, and like this article, and people who agree with you about clothes and think you come off as a total ass with this post. Not that it’s necessarily that extreme, but your insistence that you didn’t title this article “10 “stylish” words that can make you sound like a tool” isn’t helping.
Personally, what makes me cringe is people not knowing the difference between there, their, and they’re…
Leave Joe alone.
Quick response: I was actually in edit checking for mistakes as I got the notification for your shitty reply. My comment was to Joe, not to you.
I would suggest that trying to correct someone that actually originates from within the Commonwealth of Nations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations on many of these ‘stylish’ words would only serve to mark oneself as a tool.
Cheers Gents.
Lively debate you’ve sparked here, Joe. I agree with the adoption of British words by non-Brits – however, Ciao grates me more – but que is the word for line-up, just as crisps are the word for chips, so no fault to those in the service of HRM who use the proper nomenclature.
There are only two things: pants and jeans. Pants are everything but jeans.
I hate the word outfit. It conjures images of Barbie and Ken accessories. At least “get-up” is a little self-deprecating.
At least gents affords a little respect to people. We could be calling each other bro.
I don’t think using any of these words makes you a tool…I think using any of these words with a hipster, B.S. attitude is the thing makes you a tool….
Heh, well played. Yeah, this one lit some fires for sure.
OKAY fellas… let’s move on.
I would hope that if I was sounding like a tool to a certain group of people who might not necessarily share my enthusiasm for menswear (!!!), my wife would gently say: “Y’know, you’re starting to sound a bit like a tool to these people.”
I for one, would rather have someone tell me I have spinach in my teeth than let it slide.
I think, maybe, you’re over-thinking this. The post got tweeted out 10 times, liked on Facebook 14 times, and generated a crap-ton of comments and discussion. I like to think this website and all of the contributors are pretty polite, tactful people.
Was this different than a standard post? Maybe a little. But it was far from aggressive. It’s not that different from this one: http://dappered.com/2012/01/signs-you-talk-too-much-about-menswear/ or this one:
http://dappered.com/2011/11/5-types-of-snobs-in-mens-style/ This is far from shock-jock stuff. And if someone thinks I came off as a total ass in this post, well, we’ve all come across as total asses before. Doesn’t make us asses to the core.
I’ve gotten some squirrely looks from friends when I’ve started going on and on (and on) about what this site is all about and I’ve used these terms plenty and probably will again in the future. I sound like a tool every day to many people. As evidenced by this post and your interpretation of it. Doesn’t mean there’s not some value to it though.
Yup. Guilty of that. And I’ll probably continue to do so.
“I think Brits are indeed going to have to use their judgement and take note of which ones apply, but the list has at least some good perspectives for all
Considering that Dappered usually covers sales and opportunities occurring in the US, it makes sense that the list aims at what I would assume is the main audience.” – Cannon (a couple scrolls up there ^^)
“Slacks” was recently voted the most despised word in the English language in some study I’m too lazy to google.
Interesting. A follower of this blog is likely to be a smart dresser & at times possibly come off as a “tool” by wearing blazers, ties, wingtips, etc. in casual workplaces or social events, yes? There have been posts about it. Why then should we regulate our language to avoid the same? If people do not care for my choice of verbiage (which include some of the above), c’est la vie.
But yes, “wrist-game” is an abhorrence.
Your boy Baron from EG should read this post! Guilty!
Joe suggests avoiding using “queue” to refer to lines of people. I doubt he’d pick a bone with you for using it with Netflix; it’s a different word with a different meaning.
You lost me when I followed the link at “Queue.” Although the article was not critical of the Talk Heads*, the mere fact that their album cover was included in a line-up that featured Nickleback, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, and Linkin Park had me attempting to rip my monitor in two.
*The article does kind of blame Talking Heads for nu-metal, so I have issued a fatwa for TyperMegaTron and his or her associates.
Can we please second this. Swag is the most over used, immature word ever devised. quintessential “Im trying to hard and i know it” phrase
Considering your website is called ‘Dappered’, it’s quite hypocritical of you to hate on more proper nomenclature for men. Honestly, flaming ‘Queue’, ‘Trousers’ and ‘Menswear’ ? You must have run out of ideas for posts.
Read the post again. It’s about how you appear to others who don’t frequent sites like this. Meanwhile, never used “queue” to mean “standing in line” in my life. Menswear, yup… used it. And trousers will always be pants to me.
Baron is most certainly my boy. Big fan of his. And we’ve had discussions about the over usage of the word “Gentleman.” I love the name of his site. EffortlessGent. It’s perfect. Doesn’t come across as snooty to me int he least.
How about “tool?”
‘Queue’ and ‘trousers’ are common nomenclature for line and pants here in Aus, so your post is very American-centric.
Haha three of those things are just English! Trousers, cheers (often used in all situations for ‘thanks’), queue. So I guess the message here is that sounding English makes you sound like a tool…
Cheers,
Rob,
London