Why the zip on the trousers is called 'fly'?

Answer 1

The fly is not the zip per se, but the opening, which is usually covered with a flap, so fly buttons are possible too. Some years ago, the plural form "flies" was used, as in "your flies are undone", but the singular form is more in use nowadays.

I don't have an answer for why that term is used. Other people have asked the same question on other websites and have not had a serious answer. It seems to be related to the covering flap. See the use of fly in camping vocabulary - flysheet, rainfly and tent-fly all mean: "flap consisting of a piece of canvas that can be drawn back to provide entrance to a tent".

Answer 2

Let fly the jib
Let fly the top Gallants
Sheets would fly in the wind as they left their halliard's.
Yes, the cross over on a sailor's trousers is so made.

It's 1914 and war starts.
The time it took to undo the buttons on pouches was cut down 90% by the introduction of the zip fastener.
Applied after the 1939 war to men's trousers, it was still called 'the flies' but the word unzip was often issued by medical people etc.
The speed of closure however did cause quite a few uncomfortable moments.

Answer 3

One root of the word "fly" (meaning "to bounce via the air") additionally implies "flapping." numerous sites revealed that tent flaps, which cover the tent's fasteners, very like on your 501s, lent their call to fly-front pants. the 1st documented use of "fly" meaning "tent flap" exchange into in 1810. Europeans began stepping into pants, as all of us understand them, in the sixteenth century. Fly-front trousers have been invented around 1650, although the flap did not benefit its flighty call until eventually later. This center-front establishing exchange into seen somewhat risque, and pants closures replaced between a fly and a fall-front form for the subsequent century or 2. In 1844, a e book approximately militia outfits made the 1st recorded use of "fly" to intend "pants establishing." subsequently trouser-wearers have been fantastically fly ever considering.

Answer 4

because if you did not have a zip you would get flys around your crutch

Answer 5

because it was a button up affair before zippers and most men stank so baddly that the flies buzzed around their crotch and infested them with maggots.

Answer 6

because the little fastener is as small as a fly.

Answer 7

Because when hygene wasn't so good, that is where the flies would gather. :)

Answer 8

Something to do with fishing?

Answer 9

Well it would sound pretty stupid if someone said to you 'your wasps are undone'.....!!!

Answer 10

spose it 'Flies' up and down