lederhosen
UK[ˈleɪdəˌhəʊzən]US[ˈleɪdərˌhoʊzən]
n
Leather shorts with suspenders, traditionally worn by men and boys in Alpine regions such as Bavaria and Austria.
Morpheme Breakdown
leder
hosen
leder
leather
hosen
pants
Etymology
The word 'lederhosen' is a direct loanword from German, entering English to describe a specific cultural garment. It is a compound noun formed from 'Leder' (leather) and 'Hosen' (the plural of 'Hose,' meaning trousers or breeches). The term literally translates to "leather pants," reflecting the garment's primary material and function. Historically, these durable shorts were practical workwear for Alpine laborers, but they evolved into a symbol of regional Bavarian and Tyrolean folk costume, or 'Tracht,' and are now recognized internationally.
Analysis
Structure: leder (leather) + hosen (pants)
- leder: Origin: German. Functional role: Noun meaning "leather," acting as a compound modifier.
- hosen: Origin: German. Functional role: Plural noun meaning "pants" or "breeches."
Examples
He wore traditional lederhosen to the Oktoberfest celebration.
The intricate embroidery on his lederhosen was hand-stitched.
Lederhosen are often paired with rustic shirts and wool socks.