Don't Wear Suspenders to the London Office

You’ve probably heard some funny examples before of English words that have very different meanings in the U.S. and in the U.K. “Pants” is a classic example. Americans know pants as the things that cover your legs—they come in all kinds of varieties, like jeans or khakis, and various lengths, like shorts or capris, but ultimately pants are pants. Except, however, in the U.K. where pants are underpants. Panties, as you may know them. Brits refer to their suit bottoms as “trousers.” And even though they are familiar with the American term for this article of clothing, they still tend to smirk if you compliment their “nice pants.”
I discovered this amusing difference in terminology on my last trip to London (I’m not saying how), so I thought I was safe from embarrassing faux pas this time around. Until my coworker Huw told me he was planning to wear red braces to the New York office. Huw is a native Welshman with a bit of an accent, so I thought I misheard him. His teeth are fine, and I couldn’t imagine why he would want to wear an orthodontal device to work, so I asked.
“Braces?”
And he happily gestured with both hands to his shoulders and his waistband, making the international sign for “the article of clothing that holds your pants up.” Ah. Now I understood. Huw was planning to go for the Gordon Gecko, Wall Street Power Look.
“Suspenders!”
Now Huw was confused. I thought this time it was my accent that was unclear, so I raised my voice a bit, articulating each word:
“You’re going to wear RED SUSPENDERS to the office?”

At this point everyone in a ten foot radius was in hysterics. A complete uproar of laughter broke out in our cubicles. Apparently, “suspenders” in the U.K. are that delightfully risqué garment we refer to as A GARTER BELT.

Unfortunately, red garter belts are not considered Business Casual, so that look is not going to fly. Which is a shame, because that would have been a great way for Huw to break the ice on his first day.