But, they may have come from Britain. Leaders of the 19th century British army wore pieces of metal called oak leaves on their hats. The metal brass has a color similar to that of gold. So a leader or commander came to be called a member of the brass.

Why are girls called brasses?

Was a term used in victorian times when prostitutes use to wear brass cloggs to keep warm in winter. Was a term used in victorian times when prostitutes use to wear brass cloggs to keep warm in winter.

What does brasses mean in slang?

"Brass" in this context puzzles me, but Wiktionary suggests (see "Translations") that it can be a slang term for a prostitute. ... I think brasses is Cockney rhyming slang for prostitutes: "brass nail" => tail.