Why You Should Wear Pants Today

This is an interesting story about the word “pants” and why you should wear some today . . .

July 27:  Feast of St. Pataleone (Pantalone)

San Pantaleone or Pantalone was a Christian doctor martyred during the reign of Diocletion.  Pantalone was a popular saint in Venice because his name resembles the Venetian battle cry “Piante Lione” which translates as “Plant the Lion” which reflects the lion as the symbol of Venice conquering its enemies. 

The name Pantalone became attached to a stock comedic character in Italian comedies, and this saint therefore gave his name to this character in the commedia dell'arte,   Pantalone, a silly, wizened old man (Shakespeare's "lean and slippered Pantaloon") who was a caricature of Venetians wore distinctive trousers that covered his legs instead of the more common breeches that exposed the lower leg.  This character was portrayed as wearing trousers rather than knee breeches, and so became the origin of the name of a type of trouser called "pantaloons," which was later shortened to "pants."

To honor this saint and celebrate the creation of pantaloons, you should drink this cocktail which was very popular during Prohibition:

                Ants in the Pants Cocktail

                                1 oz. gin

                                ½ oz. Grand Marnier

½ oz. sweet vermouth

1 dash lemon juice

You can also celebrate with a French wine knows as Saint-Pantaleon-les-Vignes which takes its name from an old Benedictine abbey in Provence.

Be sure to toast by shouting, “Piante Lione!”

Wearing pants while drinking and toasting today is optional!!