What did suspenders used to be called?

I'm not sure if you mean suspenders (English version) worn with stockings - which in US is called a garter and garter belt - or suspenders (US version) which in England are called braces and are elasticated and hold up your pants.

Mr O'Leary its because your audience is too young. hence they snigger that suspenders are what keep up women's stockings. Ah the shame of it. My grandfather had a pair of silk suspenders with a mother of pearl button. Very grand they were too. Of course for all we know you could be 80 years old yerself! And that is a very old fashioned hat you wear too. You are obviously an old fashioned gentleman. Come here and let me twang those suspenders against your support stockings and then I will make us tea and toast. Will you be needing to put your teeth in before that? :-))