Blue Jeans
In short: Jacob Davis, a tailor in Nevada, and Levi Strauss patented riveted work pants in 1873, and those became today’s blue jeans.
Have you ever worn a pair of blue jeans? You can thank Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss for that! In 1873, Nevada tailor Jacob Davis used copper rivets to make miners' pants stronger, and he partnered with Levi Strauss to mass-produce them. Now, jeans are worn all over the world. English tip: "jeans" is always plural, like "pants" and "glasses." Say "My jeans are too tight," not "My jean is too tight," and count them as "two pairs of jeans."
How to use it
“Jeans” is always plural, like “pants” and “shorts,” so say “a pair of jeans” or “these jeans are.” “Denim” is the fabric, and it’s also used for clothes made from it (“a denim jacket”). Most Americans just say “jeans”; “blue jeans” sounds a little old-fashioned but is still common.
Examples
- I bought two pairs of jeans on sale.
- These jeans are too tight. Do you have a bigger size?
- Is it OK to wear jeans to the office on Fridays?
A common mistake
Don’t say “a jean” or “my jean is.” Say my jeans are or a pair of jeans.
Where it comes from
Davis added copper rivets to make work pants stronger, and Levi Strauss, the businessman who supplied his fabric, helped him patent the idea. The word “jean” comes from Genoa, the Italian city where a sturdy cloth was made, and “denim” most likely comes from the French “serge de Nîmes,” a fabric from the town of Nîmes.
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine