This week’s theme
Shirts & pants

This week’s words
fancy-pants
shirtsleeve
trouser role
brownshirt
seat-of-the-pants

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(TROU-zuhr rohl)

MEANING:

noun:
In opera, drama, film, etc.:
1. A role in which a female character pretends to be a male.
2. A male part played by a female actor.
Also known as a breeches role or a pants role.

ETYMOLOGY:

From the traditional view of trousers as male clothing. From an alteration of earlier trouse, from Scottish Gaelic triubhas, influenced by drawers. Earliest documented use: 1955.

USAGE:

“‘Ms. Sonnier will be singing the part of Romeo.’ I paused, playing back the sentence in my mind.
‘Romeo?’
‘That’s correct, sir. It’s a trouser role.’”
Reed Arvin; The Last Goodbye; HarperCollins; 2009.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: