A little while back I received a nice email from a follower. Here’s a portion of it:
“Got a question for you: Over your way, if the menfolks needed to hold up their britches and didn’t have a belt, would they say they were going to wear their suspenders, or their galluses? Where I grew up over in southwest Virginia, men wore galluses, but I ain’t heard narya soul use that word since we’uns moved to Tennessee. Dictionary says hit’s the Scottish word for suspenders or braces. Seems like too neat a word to let go out of usage! Cheers, John and Julie Hyatt Kingsport, TN”
I don’t remember Pap ever wearing galluses. He wore a belt to keep his britches up 🙂 My Papaw Wade didn’t wear them either, but his every day attire was a pair of overalls so they had built in galluses.
The Deer Hunter does wear them. Not every day, but fairly often enough that you’ve likely noticed them in a photo or video.
A quick look in the “Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English” turned up this entry.
gallus noun (usually used in plural) A suspender for men’s trousers. Also called a strop.
1862 Reese CW Letters (Sept 29) if you Can send mee an thing doo it I need A pair of gallisses and Socks. 1864 Tesh CE Letters (Jan 26) I sent you a pair of gallowes in that Box to wear with your new pants. 1867 Harris Sut Lovingood 154 His coat-tails wur blowed off tu his shoulders, the hine aind ove his galluses wus raped round his neck. 1883 Zeigler and Grosscup Heart of Alleghanies 249 An unbleached, linen shirt, crossed by “galluses,” which held his homespun pantaloons in place, covered his body. 1934-47 LAMSAS Appal (Madison Co NC, Swain Co NC). 1961 Coe Ridge OHP-336B I’m going to shoot him right in the cross of the galluses. 1973 GSMNP-14:4 He didn’t have a thing on but his galluses and his shoes. 1982 DeArmond So High 10 Mama bent to button the top button of Papa’s one and only, best shirt, then fastened the galluses to the bib of his overalls. 1986 Pederson et al. LAGS (Blount Co TN, Cocke Co TN, Jefferson Co TN, Sevier Co TN). 1991 Haynes Haywood Home 35 I realize galluses are supposed to be called suspenders, but we called them galluses.
[variant of gallows, construed as a singular noun + -s; OED3 gallows n 6 now dialect, Scot, and U.S.; cf EDD gallows n 6; SED nEngl]
The man wearing nothing but his galluses and shoes was certainly making a fashion statement!
After I received the note from John and Julie I hollered and asked The Deer Hunter what he called them galluses or suspenders? He hollered back “Both.”
I think I say both too, but since I don’t wear them I don’t think I say either very often. Hope you’ll leave a comment and let me know which you use. I agree with John and Julie—galluses is too great a word to lose.
Last night’s video: Martins Creek Community Center – Part 2.
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Galluses here in Ulster, mostly rural areas. Used to hold yer breeks up. Derivitive of gallows, ghoulishly, probably to do with the stretched rope and what’s at the other end!
Here in England they are simply called braces, although my cousins in the USA call them suspenders. Never heard them called galleuses. Seems to be an age thing – my Granddad always wore braces, and my Dad started wearing them in his 40s. Now I have reached that age, I feel the need to get some as it has become more difficult and uncomfortable to wear a belt.
Momma said suspenders held up your pants and galluses are the straps on overalls.
Tipper, you might be interested in this outdoor play at Hardman Farm in the Sautee Nacoochee Valley. It’s one of those “lawn chair” shows where you bring your own chair and relax while watching. I just found out about it today so I can’t go. It looks like it’s going to be a regular event though.
“Valley Voices–Stories from Hardman Farm, is a journey through over 150 years of the Nacoochee Valley. From its original Native American traditions to the first settlers and the three families who called Hardman Farm home you’ll discover the stories this land holds dear.”
https://explore.gastateparks.org/info/302871?s=0.0.0.5&c=25327388
I’ve only heard galluses used to indicate the straps with the metal work that you used to hitch overalls or maybe sleeveless carhart bib overalls. Suspenders were only used on the shoulders over a shirt to hold just the pants up.
For a while, my husband went through a phase where he wore both a belt and suspenders, at the same time. I overheard a man say behind my husband’s back, “Now there’s a man who lacks self-confidence!”
At Flat Creek people wore both galluses and suspenders. They meant the same thing. I have not heard the word galluses in years. That is what I like about your channel; many times it takes me back to my childhood. Thanks Tipper. Dennis Morgan
I’ve heard both words for as long as I can remember. Somehow I thought galluses was an old and archaic usage. Usually they were called suspenders but sometimes braces.
I have several pairs and refer to them these days as braces. Don’t know why.
“Gallouses” belong on “over-hauls” and suspenders on britches.
The older I get, the more difficult it gets for my belt to keep my britches at a decent height. I mentioned this to a friend and his comment was, “Yeah, it looks like you traded legs with a Killdeer, and lost your rear end in the trade”.
I grew up hearing both and I’m sure that I say both. But I agree with a lot of others that I would usually think of “galluses” on overalls and suspenders as being a separate article and used for pants.
As Ed A. Noted previously, I wore bibbed overalls as a young’un in Eastern Kentucky and they had galluses. Suspenders were detachable and came with buttons or clips. I have worn both; but I seem to recall that I only wore suspenders on special occasions or they were needed to “hold up a pair of hand – me – down britches. My grandpa, who raised me, always wore “khaki’s and a belt; never recall him wearing suspenders or overalls! He always wore “brogues” as a work shoe ……..
I’ve only heard them called suspenders. My grandpa on my dad’s side use to wear them. I don’t know if he ever called them galluses or not. He was the only male relative I remember that wore suspenders. All the men in my family just wore belts to hold up their britches.
Today’s subject reminds me of the four sisters who lived down the road from us. Their mother was a widow and they were probably needing money, as were most of our families. The girls wore overalls to school instead of dresses. During the summer they would cut the legs off to make shorts. An uncle of mine called the resultant garments “Bermudaalls.:
As far back as I can remember (early fifties) in SE TN, it was always galluses. As a small child, we had the type with the alligator-like mouths that snapped onto our “britches” (not trousers or pants–britches).
Like others, overalls have galluses pants have suspenders.
I believe I’ve only heard galluses used for overalls and suspenders used for the elastic ones you attach.
Every time I heard the story told of Cecil Honeycutt being killed for supposedly turning in moonshiners. He was shot in the back while chopping wood right where his galluses crossed.
Grampaw Breedlove died before I was born so I never knew him. Grammaw kept his razor “strop”. It hung on a nail behind her kitchen door. Many a misbehaving child (including myself) was threatened with it but never once did I see it in use.
Haven’t heard that word in many years! My grandparents used it and my dad also. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face and stirring up good memories!
I’ve definitely heard both, but I call them suspenders. My mother-in-law whom we all called Granny always said galluses and for some reason she did not like them although Pa, my father-in -law would sometimes say, “I think I just may buy me some galluses If I can’t find a belt to fit.” She’d say, ” oh no you won’t.” LOL. Never did know the reason. I did have an uncle who always wore bright red ones with his Sunday white dress shirt. He wouldn’t have looked right with a belt and sure enough when he passed away, he had red ones on. Have a blessed day everyone!
Everyone in my family used the term galluses when I was growing up. I don’t think I heard the term suspenders other than in books until I was an adult.
Always heard galluses growing up, and spellcheck does not like the spelling. I find spell check sometimes just does not like a lot of our Appalachian words. It does seem overtime as the red ones became popular they were called suspenders. A man could look quite spiffy with the bright colors with a white shirt 🙂 Dad always wore pants with belt. I had two uncles that always wore overalls which we sometimes called “over hauls.”
Right click on the word with the red zigzaggity underline and choose “add to dictionary”. After that, when you use the word spellcheck will accept it.
Overalls have galluses, regular pants have suspenders! My husband wears overalls most every day.
I wore overalls–sometimes called “overhalls” where I lived–with galluses and owned some store-bought elastic suspenders as a boy, but what caught my eye in this post was the word strop. In all my years a strop was a leather one my barber dad used to sharpen or polish the edge of his straight razor and occasionally to warm my butt. Never would I have associated strop with a gallus or galluses. In barber talk strop is the noun and to strop is the verb form.
Me, too, Gene. “Strop” was for razors and advisory warnings to children who needed to change their behavior. Thankfully, the warning in my family usually substituted “switch” for “strop” and the verbal warning was sufficient. My great-grandfather called his suspenders galluses.
Dad always called his galluses but I call mine suspenders, I wore a belt for years but they didn’t do the job, I was always pulling my pants up.
My mother said galluses, and she’s from Campbell County, TN, pretty near SW Virginia. Never heard anyone else use it, though.
I have heard both words used in West TN.
I’ve heard both, galluses and suspenders but I like the term galluses best; it has a nice sound to it. Wonder which was invented first, belts or galluses.
When I was little I often wore hand-me- down overhauls. They had galluses that were permanently attached in the back, crossed and sewn together then came across the shoulders and snapped to the bib in front. Mine were often so oversized that I had to cross them again in front to keep them high enough to walk. If crossing didn’t get them shortened enough a few twists would help but I had to count to match them up or they would hang crooked.
Suspenders are entirely detachable. They could be worn with anything including a skirt I suppose.
We’ve used both words in our family. Strop too. Every young boy in the family wanted a pair just like his dad’s.
Growing up in southwest Virginia the older family members used both words. I remember my Grandma describing someone who was in a foul mood as having their gallus crossed.
Now living in central North Carolina for 32 years I had never given much thought to the absence of gallus from the spoken word. Guess I have been amiss in raising my sons, recently I was wearing a pair of suspenders and my 52 year old son commented on my appearance. I replied using the word gallus and he asked was that a real word. I explained the root of the word came from gallows, to hang ones pants. Needless to say he had to research my info. I may further his vocabulary and explain what are “step-ins” !!!
My Dad Frank Coleman , your great grandmother’s brother , used to wear overalls so the galluses were built in , and on Sunday he wore his suspenders to hold his pants up .
A few years back Phillip, my husband started wearing suspenders . Last Sunday we got to Church ,( he always comes to my side of the car to see if I need help getting out ) . I hadn’t noticed til then but his suspenders were twisted in the back so I helped get his suspenders fixed before going in the Church . A couple was walking by and spoke and we said Good Morning and I said Phillips suspenders are twisted , so I’ll help get him get them straightened out and we will be on in . Kind of a coincidence you posted this today . We had a good laugh ! Thanks , Tipper !
I call them both. Dad and all the men in my hometown wore galluses for as long as I can remember. I went to my hometown on Memorial Day and visited a friend who was wearing galluses. That is the first time I have seen them being worn in years. They look uncomfortable.
I’m with Kelley. Overalls have galluses. Separate straps are suspenders. I expect that is how the Deer Hunter has “both”.
I find it interesting that “galluses” is a Scottish word. Makes me wonder about the history of overalls. I think I read somewhere that they were first made along about the 1850s or so. Think I’ll look and see what I can find out. I do know that Roundhouse jeans of Oklahoma has what they claim to be the largest pair of overalls in the world. Roundhouse is one of the very few American-made jeans and overalls.
I’ve only heard of suspenders and SW VA is literally about 3 miles away to state line where I usually do my grocery shopping. My grandparents may have said Galluses, but do not recall such. I’ve heard braces used by the Irish many times in movies etc. My favorite being “Juno and the Paycock.” It’s old but chock full of reality. Whichever you wear, please fellers, make sure to cover up where the Good Lord split ya. Ain’t nobody needing or desiring to see that…I call it “area beautification” when parts of “shame” are hidden behind thick, reliable layers of gaberdeen. BTW there a worm been found in Winston- Salem, Raleigh, Louisiana, Missouri called a HAMMERHEAD WORM. He hitched a ride on exotic plants to USA (and a box store that sells plants and has blue on the building.) HE is literally devouring EARTH WORMS, is a cannibal and eats beneficial insects too. If you see him, pick him up using GLOVES ( cause he has poison on him) and put him in salt in a baggie in the FREEZER. DO NOT CUT HIM AS EACH SECTION WILL MAKE A NEW WORM. THIS IS NOT A JOKE, but I wish it was. You know I am the BUG LADY and a RN… I know it’s a weird combo, but….
We here in upper northeast TN also referred to overalls having galluses and pants having suspenders. Personally, I do not like to wear either because of the constant downforce on my shoulders.
Another word I noticed in the definition was “strop”. We always called the leather strip used to hone a razor a strop. The strop also had another use known as “tanning your hide”.
This definition seems to indicate that the names are interchangeable?
gal·lus·es
[ˈɡaləsəz]
NOUN
SCOTTISH
NORTH AMERICAN
suspenders for trousers:
“he wore cream-colored slacks held up by red galluses”
My Daddy wore galluses to hold his short britches up after his belly got to big for a belt to do the job.LOL
I still have them hanging in my closet, one of my favorite memories. ❤
I generally wear a leather belt, but I’ve always used those two terms interchangeably. Gallus, I agree, we need to save that fine old Scottish word.
Never heard of the word galluses, but grew up hearing suspenders as a kid. My dad uses them to keep his pants up now. Have to say it’s an interesting word, hopefully it will stay around!
My Pop Pop was a farmer from deep in Virginia. He used both words. I do like the bit about making a fashion statement!
I’ve always called the elastic ones you wear with britches suspenders, and the ones on bib overalls gallouses. If a guy wears suspenders and a belt at the same time we call him a Safety Engineer.
That made me smile – thanks!
Thank you for the ‘Safety Engineer’ reference.
My memory is that if you’re wearing both, you’re exercising ‘double safety’. Sort of like both gluing AND taping something together…maybe even throwing some wire into the mix LOL
Baling twine and duct tape are cures for many things around the home and barn!
With bib overalls galluses and regular pants it was suspenders was the names I’ve grew up hearing.
I say “suspenders” but I remember my mama calling them “galluses.”
I thought on this for a little bit and I say galluses when they’re on overalls and suspenders when they’re not. This is my first time commenting on the blog and I’m really enjoying the posts!
I have heard both, but not lately. Like Tipper, I don’t wear them. I don’t recall ever seeing my dad wear them. I have noticed that the Deer Hunter sometimes wears them. I think he is wearing them more to honor a tradition than to hold his pants up!