la culotte

The French word "culotte" primarily means "panties" or "underwear" for women and girls. It refers specifically to a type of close-fitting undergarment covering the hips and genitals.

Meaning and usage:

• Historically, "culotte" referred to knee-breeches worn by men or boys in previous centuries.
• Nowadays, it commonly refers to women’s underwear or panties.
• It can also mean a type of short skirt or split skirt for girls ("culottes"), or short, loose pants, usually for children or as casual wear.

Synonyms and differences:

• Slip: A more generic term for underwear, often used for both men’s and women’s briefs or slips.
• Shorty: A style of women's underwear that is similar to "culotte" but tends to be shorter.
• Boxer (for women): Similar more to men’s boxers but adapted for women, providing looser fit compared to "culotte."
• Tanga: A style of underwear that is more minimal than "culotte" (like a thong).

In sum, "culotte" denotes a type of women's undergarment, often a moderate coverage panty, and is distinct from these other terms mainly in style and cut.