Does "togs" mean the same thing on both sides of the Irish Sea? The short answer is yes — in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, "togs" means swimwear, the thing you put on to get in the water. Ask someone in Dublin or Galway where their togs are and they will reach for their swimming costume; say the same in much of …

Cross one state line and the word in your beach bag changes Drive from Wodonga into Albury — two towns that all but touch across the Murray River — and the thing you packed for the pool quietly changes its name. On the Victorian side it is your bathers. Cross the bridge into New South Wales and the same garment is your …

One word, two completely different beaches On a Sydney morning, "grab your togs" means dig the swimsuit out of the drawer before heading to Bondi. On a Bradford evening, "what tog is it?" means checking the warmth rating printed on a duvet before deciding whether the bed will be warm enough for winter. Same four …