zoot suit

See also: zootsuit

English

A soldier and two men wearing zoot suits in Washington D.C. in 1942

Etymology

Zoot may be a (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Caló slang pronunciation of suit, thus making the term a tautology and reduplication.

Noun

zoot suit (plural zoot suits)

1. An outfit featuring a suit with broad shoulders, a long coat, and baggy trousers that taper to a tight fit at the ankles.
   • 2003, Terry Castle, London Review of Books, 18 Dec.:

     Dexter Gordon was an idol around Central Avenue. He was tall. He wore a wide-brimmed hat that made him seem like he was about seven feet tall. He had a stoop to his walk and wore long zoot suits, and he carried his tenor in a sack under his arm.

Synonyms

• (outfit): drapes (dated AAVE slang)

Meronyms

• (outfit): pegged pants

Derived terms

• zoot-suiter

See also

• zoot suit on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Zoot Suit Riots on Wikipedia.Wikipedia