Outfit

I find it amusing when a word changes from one meaning, to a similar meaning with a completely different feel. Like the move from "outfit" being what you do to oneself (or your ship) before going on an expedition, to being a matched set of clothes. Yes, it's easy to see the relationship between the two, but who was the first person who made that leap? And how much did they get made fun of for being a total fop?

"I'm going to wear this outfit for the jungles of London." The change occurred in the mid 1850s, so my first guess (Oscar Wilde) is out.

On the other hand, there are some people for whom every outfit is expedition wear - celebrities, politicians, anyone the media is really gunning for. And no one more so than Hillary Clinton (ok, maybe she and Britney are neck and neck on this one). So it's nice to see Hillary can retain her sense of humor about her clothes. US Magazine has a spread, written by Hillary herself, entitled "My Worst Outfits Ever" It's pretty silly, but I love the striped pants.

For someone who needs to shore up every female voter to get the nomination, and humanize herself to a public that is used to being told she's a control-freak robot, the spread is politically brilliant.