2006-06-27 09:55:50 · 24 answers · asked by rufftuff187 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
Back in the days when women only wore skirts and not pants, the man was considered the "master of the house" and the decision maker.
If a woman took charge of a situation, someone might say "well, we can see who wears the pants around here." They meant, that she was taking over her husband's role as the decision maker.
2006-06-27 09:59:37 · answer #1 · answered by Ginger/Virginia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a somewhat sexist expression dating to the time (a few decades ago) when only men wore pants and "ruled the roost" and women were subjugated to the role of "barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen" (yes, I know, an even worse sexist expression, but that's the point). Asking who "wore the pants in the family" was like asking who was the "king of the castle", who made all the decisions in the household.
2006-06-29 11:50:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who wears the pants is a dated expression based on patriarchy. Ergo the traditional male bread winner wore pants as a sudo-symbol of hard, menial, or dirty work. Still while more and more we see women wear pants, the male Bread Winner mentality is largely in effect sense most women do prefer marriage to a man who is the primary source of income! That issue is quasi sexist but the bigger issue for me is that I really do prefer to see women in dresses or skirts!
2006-06-27 12:45:19 · answer #3 · answered by namazanyc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the person who "wears the pants" is the one in charge, or the boss. like if someone says the wife wears the pants in that marriage,, that means she runs the house.
2006-06-27 09:58:57 · answer #4 · answered by its still me 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means "who is really in control in this relationship"? It is an older phrase and refers to when women wore skirts more. Men were the head of the household, the ones in charge and they 'wore pants'.
2006-06-27 09:58:48 · answer #5 · answered by Tact is highly overrated 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me it can mean who have or take control because back in the day the man always had control over his household and he was always the one who wore pants and the lady wore dresses thats what it mean to me
2006-06-27 09:59:34 · answer #6 · answered by Shy B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It refers to the era of when men wore pants but women didn't. It wasn't coined until AFTER that began to change in the mainstream, however. It refers to who is "in charge" as in that era, men were in charge and women had very little rights (such as voting, holding lands, etc.). In most cases, it's used in a sexist way, although I have seen it used to describe women who were more dominant as well.
2006-06-27 09:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by dark_storm73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just means that in a relationship who gets followed the woman or man. generally when this expression is used. It is intimidated that the gal is lording it over the man.
2006-06-27 09:59:36 · answer #8 · answered by brahman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who is in charge or has the control. coming from when men were in charge and men wore pants and women wore dresses. In those times men were supposed to be in charge.
2006-06-27 09:58:59 · answer #9 · answered by BonesofaTeacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it's a very out-dated remark. probably made in the day when only men wore pants. however, times have changed. it only meant that "wearing the pants" was significant in working and financial affairs. really dumb if you ask me.
2006-06-27 09:58:38 · answer #10 · answered by georgie g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋