Korean Job Discussion Forums

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I'm preparing a lesson on clothes for next week because its something all my little darlings like to talk about. I've got a nice handout with clear drawings of umpteen common items of apparel. I'll prompt them to name as many as they can (& flush out a fair bit of konglish) then we'll go over the proper names.

Therein lies the problem. Clothing terms vary a lot regionally, I dont want to confound the kids with too many variants, & I dont want to impose my own narrow regionalism. Help me out here deciphering the most generic terms.

Is a T-shirt called a "T" anywhere outside Korea? What do I call the "hood T's" the kids are talking about -- hooded T-shirt?

I teach "pants." Trousers is mostly a Brit thing isnt it?

Panties are for girls. Is underpants the best male equivalent?

Konglish "running" or "running shirt" -- just undershirt?

I want to say bathing suit but I think swimsuit is the more widespread usage?

I say scarf but the kids often come out with muffler -- is that also correct?

Do non-Canadians say tuque or is wool hat a better alternative?

Sports shoes have many names -- is sneakers the most generic?

Training suits are suddenly popular here -- is that the best term?

Oh, & what exactly is a jumper?

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

A jumper is a sweater/jersey isn't it?

SirFink · Joined: 05 Mar 2006

As an American, I've never heard of a "tuque." Sneakers I've always called "tennis shoes," though that may be old-fashioned. Training suits? Track suits, perhaps? Running suits? Didn't someone here recently call them "trackies" ? I'm going to guess he was British. A jumper is a 1-piece outfit for a toddler. Though it could be for adults, i.e. jumpsuit, a 1-piece astronaut type thing.

peppermint · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:25 am Post subject:

Never know where your kids will end up. I'd cover your bases and at least mention the regional differences.

To Canucks and 'Mericans a jumper is generally baby clothing, but in the UK ( and here) they're talking about a sweater.

red headed stranger · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

There are different definitions of Jumper depending on where you are. In the Midwest US, I have usually associated a jumper as being a sleeveless collarless dress that would be worn with some sort of shirt underneath it. Something like:

Often people will call those one piece baby garments "onesies."

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:38 am Post subject: Re: whats a jumper?

A jumper is a pullover light raincoat.

It's also some very different things I've discovered in recent years. Teach the variety.

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

Ok so who knows what a tanktop is then?

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:01 am Post subject:

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

I thought a "Jumper" was a person wanting to off themselves, usu by jumping off a tall bldg.

Or it could be British for a sweater/hooded sweatshirt/light jacket...I think it's just supposed to be some light-weight garment you can easily throw on to keep warm...or sth like that.

"Underwear" might be fine for both boys and girls. Tell them, "Hey kids, Mr. Schwa isn't wearing any panties. Hee, hee." That'll probably get some shock from them as well as a few "Byuhn-tae!!!"s...always fun. I usu go with underwear for both, briefs for both, panties for women, and boxers for men and either have a pic or draw Zola/Jollaman(woman) wearing the appropriate style. "G-string" for "T-panty", if you feel you have to go there.

As VI was saying, it depends alot on regional differences for footwear. I think that "sneakers" is ok for runners/athletic shoes/running shoes/whatever. I think "track shoes" are special kind of shoes for sprinters/runners. Tennis shoes or badminton shoes might be better covered with "court shoes".

How about getting 'em to try on "slacks" for pants or trousers? What word do you give for pantyhose? Nylons? Stockings? Paen-tee Suh-tohk-keeeng?

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:25 am Post subject:

Google images: there's plenty of pictures like those of the first two pages:

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Except for tuque, which in only something us Canadians say, just teach them what you normally say. Don't confuse yourself. Other English speakers will understand them when they say what they want. IF you HAVE time, teach them the different versions, but don't worry too much about it.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

ontheway · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:33 am Post subject:

A T-shirt always has short sleeves, no buttons and no collar. It usually has a crew neck.

A shirt with long sleeves, a hood, buttons, or a collar at the neck can not be called a T-shirt.

If it has long sleeves it could be a sweatshirt or a pullover.

If it has a hood, it is a "hooded" _______ .

If it has short sleeves and a collar it is a sport shirt, or a polo shirt, or a golf shirt or ... (many other names).

With buttons it could be a "button down" or "button up" or "oxford".

Women's clothes have so many names, I'd stick with the basics, like blouse, sun dress, jumper, skirt, shorts, and skorts.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

The way people complain on this board, I am surprised we don't have a few jumpers now and then...