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They are called "shorts" because they are a shortened version of trousers (as they are called in British English, or pants in American English) which cover the entire leg. There are many reasons why people wear shorts, some of them are: Simplicity - they are comfortable and easy to wear; Practical - cool, light weight, allows for wide range of movement; Fashion - some may have preference for such a style; Uniform - mandated by the organisation the wearer belongs to; Sexy - showing more skin can be sexier; For men, the fashion has been over the last 20 years for the length to get longer, effectively making shorts become long trousers again (which discounts the practical reasons to wear shorts).
PsychologyHistorically, young boys were the only people who wore shorts. When they got older, they would get their first pair of long trousers. This gave shorts the perception of being only for young boys. So even in hot weather, men would not wear shorts to avoid looking immature. Since about World War II when many solders were in tropical locations, adult men have worn shorts more, but the perception of shorts only being for young boys took several decades to change and to some extent still exists. Today, most young boys have long trousers as soon as they are old enough to tell the difference and they keep wearing shorts into their adult years without significant stigma attached. But in many countries there are few situations in a formal office setting where wearing shorts would be accepted, as they are considered too casual. In many American offices, where there is in official casual dress standard, shorts are specifically not allowed (e.g. IBM).
StylesThere are multiple styles of shorts:
Boxer shorts: Shorts mainly used as male underwear but some years ago, this term also related to a basic style male short.;
Track shorts: Shorts that reach only the upper thigh and are intended to provide maximum freedom of movement in sports activities. These are often made from Nylon which has the advantage of being very hardwearing. After ADIDAS sponsored the 1980 Olympic Games, ADIDAS nylon track shorts were a fashion item for some years.;
Walking shorts: Shorts with a long pant length reaching to the knees which is intended for casual wear in warm weather. Usually has pockets and waist loops for a belt and is worn with or without that.;
Cut-offs: Homemade shorts made by cutting the legs off trousers, typically jeans, above the knee. The cut is not finished and the fabric is left to fray. Originally a practical use of trousers whose knees have worn through, they are now a type of shorts in their own right. Extremely short, form-fitting denim cut-offs are sometimes known as "Daisy Dukes", in reference to Catherine Bach's character of that name from the American television show The Dukes of Hazzard. The word also applies when they serve as swimsuit.;
Hotpants: Commonly known as "short shorts" and are primarily worn by women. These are short, tight shorts, and are usually made out of cotton, nylon, or some other common material. They are meant to emphasize the buttocks and the legs. Hotpants are sometimes worn with dark tights and knee-length boots to create an edgy sexy look. Hotpants were very popular in the early 1970s. They declined in popularity during the eighties, but the Spice Girls, especially Ginger Spice and Scary Spice, revived the fashion in the 1990s. On the animated comedy "The Simpsons" (episode 3F24, air date January 5, 1997), Homer causes a cargo ship full of hot pants to run aground near Springfield. Residents cheer as all the hotpants wash ashore.;
"Bun huggers": Short, tight, athletic shorts also known as "racing briefs", commonly made from spandex and/or nylon. These shorts are compulsory for girls and women in some schools and for some adult athletic events such as volleyball. It is claimed that their tight fit and the fact that they barely go down past the "buns" give wearers an unhindered range of motion that is necessary in sports such as volleyball. However, the figure-hugging nature of these shorts makes some wearers feel uncomfortable, and making them compulsory for women has been described as "venturing into the arena of athlete exploitation".
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