The word “bra” actually comes from the French word “brassière”, which originally referred to a type of military arm protector. In the early 20th century, it started being used to describe a piece of women’s undergarment that provided support and coverage for the breasts. The term “brassière” eventually evolved into the shortened form we now know as “bra”.
There are some common misconceptions about the origin of the word “bra”, with some people believing it is an abbreviation for other words or has a more modern etymology. However, the actual truth is that it has its roots in the French language and has been used to refer to women’s undergarments since the early 1900s.
A less-known fact about bras is that they were initially designed to be more functional than fashionable, with emphasis on support and comfort rather than aesthetics. Knowing this can be useful because it helps us understand how bra design has evolved over time and why certain features are prioritized in different styles.
Now that you know where the word “bra” comes from, you might want to explore further into the history of women’s undergarments and how they have evolved over time. It’s always fascinating to learn about how fashion and culture intersect, so I encourage you to keep digging into this interesting topic.
| Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| French | Brassière | A type of military arm protector |
| Old English | Brǣd | Meaning wide or broad |
| Italian | Braciere | Meaning a type of armguard for archery |
| Spanish | Brazal | Referring to a type of armguard |
| German | Breustück | Meaning a chest piece |
| Greek | Σουτιέν | Direct translation to “supporter” |
| Russian | Бюстгальтер | Combination of “bust” and “holder” |
| Portuguese | Sutiã | Direct translation to “bra” |
| Dutch | Beha | Shortened from “bustehouder” meaning bust holder |
| Japanese | ブラジャー | Adaptation of the English word “brassiere” |