naked v. nude

Naked and nude are synonyms meaning ‘partially or completely unclothed’. In some situations, one word may be favored over the other.

Naked is used where the absence of clothes is either sexual or embarrassing. Examples include:

• sexual intercourse
• appearing in explicitly lascivious photos or films
• erotic dancing
• streaking
• being exposed against one’s will

Nude is applied to artistic, practical, or comfortable contexts:

• bathing
• tasteful modeling for photography, paintings, or sculptures
• changing clothes
• sun tanning
• breastfeeding
• naturism or nudism
• culturally acceptable partial nudity

Everything2 on naked v. nude

wig v. toupée

Image courtesy of NerdNirvana.org A wig is a full head of synthetic or natural hair used as part of a costume, as a symbol of social status, to signify one’s office (as worn by judges and barristers in Commonwealth nations), or to hide baldness.

A toupée is a small hairpiece designed to conceal partial baldness. A wig completely covers one’s real hair, but a toupée wearer’s hair remains visible around the sides and back of the head. While toupées are often considered to be a male accessory, women experiencing hair loss may wear them as well.

pants v. trousers v. knickers

Many of the discrepancies between British and American English occur below the waist.

Garment	US name	UK name
any waist to ankle outer garment	pants	trousers
formal waist to ankle outer garment with belt-loops and a fly-front	trousers
waist to below the knee outer garment	knickers	plus-fours
any hip to groin undergarment	underwear	pants
women’s hip to groin undergarment	panties	knickers

 

H2G2 on pants v. trousers

Wikipedia on trousers

Wikipedia on knickers

brazier v. brassiere

Not the picture you were hoping for A brazier (rhymes with ‘Frasier’) is a metal bowl or box used to hold burning coals or fire, and is used for light, heat, or cooking. A brassiere (or bra) is an undergarment that supports and shapes the breasts.

coat v. jacket

These terms are generally interchangeable in modern usage, but if a distinction is to be made, it is that jackets end at the waist or hips, and coats are longer, often extending below the knees.

Wikipedia on jackets

Wikipedia on coats