Basically, devilsknew contends that the “common colloquial usage” of ‘bermuda shorts’ is that it is any kind of cut off short, despite length. You just need jeans and they can be cut off at any point- the knee or right under the ass cheek, it doesn’t matter, those are bermudas.
Now, it has always been my understanding that bermuda shorts are a very specific kind of short (just like capri pants are a specific kind of pants). To me, Bermuda shorts are shorts that are either at or just above the knee. I’ve never in my life heard anything different. So, I’m curious if this really is a common colloquial usage, as is suggested.[/spoiler]
Bermuda shorts are longer shorts that go down to the knee. They are dressy as far as shorts go, definitely in the category of tropical business casual.
They are not cut offs. Cut offs are pants that have been unprofessionally hacked down.
Bermuda shorts are knee-length, but cut-off jeans are not Bermuda shorts. They have a finished hem. Bermudas are able to be dressed up or down and are made from trouser material (but aren’t ‘cargo shorts’). May be solid colors, plaid or a print.
I can’t believe nobody’s mentioned this, but Bermuda shorts are NEVER cutoffs. They are hemmed, tailored shorts of knee length. Cotton twill, not jean fabric.
Bermudas are knee-length. And I don’t think they can be made of bluejean material, either. Some kind of crisp cotton, linen, twill, something like that - maybe polyester. The shorts described in your spoiler are jorts.
This thread and poll is wholly ingenuous and innaccurate and out of context. The question was what were “Daisy Dukes” known as before the Dykes of Hazard, Pre-'80’s? I’m telling you, they were known as “Bermudas” colloquially and back in the seventies. I know what Bermudas are to people now and classically, but I’m telling you the word has multiple meanings and geographies outside of the haute couture of Bakersfield.
