What are galluses that Pa bought in Little House in the Big Woods?

In Little House in the Big Woods, in the trip the entire family took to Pepin to visit town, one of the items mentioned specifically that Pa bought for himself was “a pair of galluses.”

Many people are confused and thought that Laura meant “galoshes”, which is a type of rubber boot, but that is incorrect.  Galluses are actually simply a pair of suspenders.  Suspenders are attached to pants or shorts which go up over the shoulders in order to keep pants from falling down.  During the time period of Little House in the Big Woods, they were likely attached with buttons or another type of fastener.

The word “galluses” was mainly used in the United States and is particularly associated with the rural communities, such as where the Ingalls lived at the time.  It is derived from the French word “galons” meaning “suspenders”.

Today, not many wear suspenders as belts are more commonly used.