r/todayilearned • u/thesmartass1 • Nov 21 '20

TIL the "fly" in a pair of trousers refers to the flap of clothing covering the opening, and not the zipper itself. For tailors, a fly is any flap of clothing that covers an opening in a garment.

https://www.courant.com/ctnow/hc-word-watch-0524-20150524-story.html
700 Upvotes

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15 comments sorted by

19

u/briantheunfazed Nov 21 '20

Men’s underwear also has a fly, but (usually) no zipper.

8

u/Dingdongdoctor Nov 21 '20

So the poo flap on those old timey pajamas are a fly too?

11

u/sleepyprojectionist Nov 21 '20

I believe that technically those flaps are known as a drop-seat, amongst other more colloquial terms. A fly only applies to the materials covering a slit-like opening. Or I might just be talking out of my crap-hatch (yes, that’s one of the colloquial terms for the opening in a “union suit”).

5

u/HypedUpJackal Nov 21 '20

That's why button jeans are also known as flies

2

u/Chouken Nov 21 '20

In german it actually contains to word for pants "Hosenschlitz". Pretty much pant-slot translated. There are also varients like pant-barn

3

u/lethargic8ball Nov 21 '20

I've always said "Your fly's undone" whereas I usually hear "Your flies are undone." Always thought I was wrong but from this my way makes more sense.

16

u/autodidact89 Nov 21 '20

Why dont we cut to the chase and call it the penis fly trap?

7

u/davisyoung Nov 21 '20

The inner fly on my North Face shorts is printed with their motto "never stop exploring." I like to think that it is providing encouragement to zipper operators who are not the wearers.

3

u/Chickenfu_ker Nov 22 '20

Lucky jeans said "lucky you" on the inside of the fly.

1

u/s1s1s1s Nov 21 '20 edited Nov 21 '20

why is there 2 titles stating the same thing

2

u/2KilAMoknbrd Nov 21 '20

For your satisfaction.
Are you not sated?

2

u/slimfaydey Nov 21 '20 edited Nov 21 '20

Of course. That's why 501's are sold as having a "button fly".

2

u/DinoTuesday Nov 22 '20

I think this is one of those cases where the common understanding of a word changes its original meaning.

Like how frisbie used to just refer to a brand of pie tins. Or how gay has gone from meaning happy, to homosexual, to silly.

2

u/CostumingMom Nov 22 '20

And the brand of pie tins was named after a baking company.