Chaps (disambiguation)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chaps, pronounced "shaps" with a soft ch sound, also known as chaparajos, are protective clothing for the legs, usually made of leather. They are worn over trousers and used by cowboys, farriers, and other people who work with livestock for the purpose of leg protection.

"Assless chaps" is a pleonasm, as all chaps have no seat, they are leggings with a belt, but the terminology is popular within the Leather subculture.

Other uses of the term may include:

• A type of Motorcycle safety clothing
• Chaps, pronouned with a hard "ch" sound, is the plural form of a British English expression for men or male friends.
• Chaps, pronouned with a hard "ch" sound, may also refer to the process of rubbing skin raw, including the verb form, to chafe
• Chaps (pronounced with a hard "ch" sound) is a brand name used by Ralph Lauren. (Note, while pronunciation is correct if referring to men, the use of western cowboy imagery in advertising suggests that Lauren would more correctly use the "sh" pronunciation.)
• CHAPS detergent is a laboratory detergent
• The Buttless Chaps are a band in Canada

The acronym CHAPS may mean:

• CHAPS is a banking term meaning Clearing House Automated Payment System
• Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software
• CHAPS UK is an acronym for the Coloured Horses & Pony Society of the United Kingdom
• Community HIV and Aids Prevention Strategy