Street voices
Michael
·
United States
"Jorts mean jean shorts. They are a stylish choice when the weather breaks, but you are still in the mood for denim. For example, hey, I almost wore basketball shorts, but I decided to put on my jorts instead."
What it means
Jorts are jean shorts, full stop. Usually cut-off denim, sometimes bought that way, and the word nearly always comes with a tiny smirk because jorts can look either weirdly fly or magnificently terrible. It’s pure jeans-meets-shorts energy for when someone wants bare knees but still refuses to let go of denim mode.
Usage examples
"I almost pulled on gym shorts for the barbecue, but the sun came out strong, so I rocked my jorts instead."
"He cut his old worn-out jeans into jorts for the festival, paired them with boots, and somehow it became the look everyone copied."
"You’re really turning up to the cookout in acid-wash jorts and tube socks? Fair play, mate."
"She found an old pair in the charity shop, hacked them into jorts, and now she won’t wear anything else once it gets hot."
"You cannot slag off my jorts now, mate, it’s thirty degrees and my knees deserve freedom."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
Jorts is a blend of jeans and shorts. It turned up in American English in the late 20th century as a casual, jokey label for denim shorts, especially homemade cut-offs. The word stuck because it sounds a bit goofy, which matches the love-it-or-roast-it vibe jorts have carried ever since.
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.
