zoot suit

/'zu:t'sju:t/

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Word: Zoot Suit

Definition: A zoot suit is a type of flashy and stylish suit that is characterized by its long jacket and high-waisted, wide-legged pants. It was very popular in the 1940s, especially among certain groups in the United States.

Usage Instructions:

• Noun: You use "zoot suit" when talking about a specific style of clothing, often associated with a certain cultural history.
• When describing someone wearing a zoot suit, you might say they look very stylish or flashy.

Example:

• "At the party, he wore a bright red zoot suit that turned everyone's heads."

Advanced Usage:

• Historical Context: The zoot suit is often associated with the jazz culture of the 1940s and was worn by young men, especially within African American and Latino communities. It became a symbol of rebellion against the social norms of the time.
• Cultural Significance: The zoot suit also has historical importance related to the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles during World War II, where there was conflict between servicemen and zoot suit wearers.

Word Variants:

• Zoot Suited (adjective): Describing someone dressed in a zoot suit.
  • Example: "He looked very dapper in his zoot-suited outfit."

Different Meanings:

• While "zoot suit" mainly refers to the specific type of suit, it can also evoke cultural and historical conversations about style, identity, and social issues from the 1940s.

Synonyms:

• Flashy suit
• Stylish suit
• Dapper suit

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "zoot suit," but you might hear phrases like "dressed to the nines," which means to be dressed very elegantly or stylishly.

Summary:

The zoot suit is not just a flashy outfit; it's a piece of clothing with a rich cultural history that represents a unique era in American fashion.

Academic

Noun

1. a flashy suit of extreme cut