The word "bra" is short for "brassiere," which itself has an interesting etymological history. Here’s a detailed look at how the term came to be:

Origin and Evolution of the Word "Bra"

1. French Influence:

   • The word "brassiere" comes from the French word "brassière," which originally referred to a child's vest or undershirt. In French, the word "bras" means "arm," but "brassière" eventually came to refer to an upper-body garment.

2. Early 20th Century:

   • The modern usage of the term "brassiere" to describe a woman's undergarment dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term started appearing in English around this time as women's fashion began to shift away from corsets towards more practical and comfortable undergarments.

3. Shortened Form:

   • By the 1930s, the term "brassiere" was commonly shortened to "bra" in English. This abbreviation became widely accepted and is the term we use today.

Key Milestones

1. Patent and Marketing:

   • In 1914, Mary Phelps Jacob patented the first modern bra, which she called a "backless brassiere." This invention was one of the key steps in the evolution of the bra as we know it today.
   • The term "brassiere" was used in marketing and advertising throughout the early 20th century, further solidifying its place in the fashion lexicon.

2. Cultural Adoption:

   • The shift from "brassiere" to "bra" was part of a broader trend in the English language towards abbreviation and simplification. The more casual and colloquial "bra" became the preferred term in everyday usage.

3. Fashion Evolution:

   • As women's fashion continued to evolve, so did the design and terminology of undergarments. The bra became an essential part of women's wardrobes, and the term became firmly entrenched in both the fashion industry and popular culture.

Conclusion

The word "bra" is derived from the French "brassière," which originally referred to a type of vest or undershirt. It evolved into the modern term for a woman's undergarment through the early 20th century and became abbreviated to "bra" by the 1930s. This evolution reflects broader trends in fashion, language, and cultural adoption, leading to the term we use today.