This is sort of a spin-off of the thread on most hated idioms.
I do a lot of my clothing shopping online, because the stores at the mall almost never have my size or preferred color in stock (and I’m not an unusual size). So I just gave up and started ordering stuff online, and returning items to the store if I don’t want them. I buy from most of the commonly-known stores: Gap, Express, The Limited, Ann Taylor, etc.
I’ve noticed over the last 5 years or so that none of these websites use the term “t-shirt” anymore. Instead, they are all referred to simply as a “tee.” And they also don’t use “tank top” but instead just call it a “tank.”
This really, really annoys me, although I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe because it seems like a weak attempt at sounding “hip” by shortening a term into something that’s even less descriptive than the original. A tank is not a piece of clothing, it’s an armored vehicle. T-shirts were so named because their shape is like the letter T - calling it a “tee” just seems ridiculous. But after a few stores started doing this, now they all do it, because no one wants to be left behind and look uncool.
I suppose complaining about this type of thing is a sign of getting old - but I’m only 32!
It’s because of the Internet and more specifical Internet accessed via the phone. On small screens you want to use less space. Since 99% of people will understand Tee = T-shirt, there is no need to for more clutter on a screen.
Same applies to newspapers and the famous headline
I’m an actual human, and I’ve been known to say “I’ve packed enough jeans and tees for the week” or “There’s a stack of clean, folded tees on your dresser.”
