Slang Term “Understandings”

Understandings aren’t just for epistemologists and marriage counselors. In the 18th Century, the slang term understandings was a jocular name for “boots” or “shoes.” Later, the word also came to be a joking term for “legs.” This is part of a complete episode.

Transcript of “Slang Term “Understandings””

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Grant, here’s another one I like from Green’s Dictionary of Slang. Do you know the term

“understandings”? Do you know what that can mean?

I do not know.

Understandings. In the 18th century it meant boots or shoes. Get it?

It understandings. I got to put on my understandings. And by the 19th century, it also meant legs.

Oh, nice understandings. Love that. Share your slang with us, 877-929-9673,

Or send it an email to words@waywordradio.org.

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