Togs? Where does the name come from?

[Carey]

Where does this word originate from? How do you get from 'swimming costume' or 'bathing suit' to 'togs'?

Just wondering!

[emka]

Here's what the Online Etymology Dictionary says:



1708, "any outer garment," shortened from togman "cloak, loose coat" (1567), thieves' cant word, formed from Fr. togue "cloak," from L. toga (see toga). M.E. toge "toga" (14c.) was also a cant word for "coat." Plural form togs is first recorded 1779. Toggery "clothes collectively" is recorded from 1812.


(www.etymonline.com)

[Gemini]

In the Uk we used to say "get your togs on", but it meant clothing, not swimwear.

[JandM]

In the Uk we used to say "get your togs on", but it meant clothing, not swimwear.

Same here.

Rather nice to think we were by derivation being told to put on our togas!

[dylan]

TOGS-- isn't that Terry Wogans morning radio show listeners??

[tea drinker]

I like the idea of getting my toggery


I'm sure that Terry would be highly amused