knickersn.int.
/ˈnɪkəz/ 1. With plural agreement. Colloquial contraction of knickerbockers (see knickerbocker n. 3). Now U.S.
ΚΠ
1881 R. Jefferies Wood Magic I. i. 15 It was not in that pocket,..nor in his knickers.
1900 Times 29 Jan. 10/3 The Imperial Yeomanry..In their well-made, loosely-fitting khaki tunics and riding knickers.
2.
a. With plural agreement. A short-legged (originally knee-length), frequently loose-fitting, pair of pants worn by women and children as an undergarment. In extended use, the shorts worn by boxers, footballers, etc. Also occasionally in singular. Cf. Directoire adj. 1, knicks n.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > underpants > for women (and children)
knickerbocker1872
trouserettes1874
knickers1882
trolly1891
knicks1895
panties1904
skirt-knicker1908
Directoire knickers1911
panties1922
step-in1922
French knickers1925
scanty1928
passion-killer1943
parapants1944
tap pants1977
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and lower body > [noun] > trousers > types of > short trousers or shorts > types of
panties1845
lederhosen1937
Bermuda shorts1938
walk shorts1944
Bermudas1954
knickers1954
skort1957
Jamaica shorts1959
baggies1962
cut-off1964
Jamaica1964
sleep-shorts1964
hot pants1970
batty riders1992
1882 Queen 7 Oct. 328/3 I recommend..flannel knickers in preference to flannel petticoat.
1895 Home Chat 20 Apr. 176/1 We are really most keen over the construction of these knickers, knowing as we do from experience their great comfort.
1895 Home Chat 2 Nov. 273/2 The ideal knickers are of black satin, with removable Lanura linings.
1895 Home Chat 2 Nov. 301/2 Serge knickers..for girls from twelve to sixteen.
1926 Home Chat 22 May 507 French Knicker made in Grafton's Voile and Grafton's Chiffonelle. Trimmed with lace. Elastic waistband.
1926 Vogue Late Nov. p. xxiii An Original Directoire Knicker of milanese.
1928 G. B. Shaw Intell. Woman's Guide Socialism i. 2 Laws..are amended and amended and amended like a child's knickers until there is hardly a shred of the first stuff left.
1938 D. Thomas Let. 16 June in Sel. Lett. (1966) 201 I find a tripper's knicker in the gully.
1951 Good Housek. Home Encycl. 156/1 Iron knickers lengthwise, one leg at a time.
1954 F. C. Avis Boxing Ref. Dict. 62 Knickers, boxing shorts.
1966 F. Shaw et al. Lern Yerself Scouse 49 Ee's got both legs in one knicker, he is not playing [football] well.
1968 ‘C. Saint-Laurent’ Hist. Ladies Underwear x. 145 (caption) Little girls wore short knickers before women did.
1974 Guardian 19 Feb. 1/5 Women workers in a lingerie factory..waved yellow knickers at Mr Thorpe as a gesture of support.
b. As int. An expression of exasperation, surprise, contempt, etc.
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the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > oaths other than religious or obscene
loOE
spi?c1225
how mischance——?c1330
with mischance!c1330
by my hoodc1374
by my sheath1532
by the mouse-foot1550
what the (also a) goodyear1570
bread and salt1575
by Jove1575
in (good) truly1576
by these hilts1598
by the Lord Harry1693
by the pody cody1693
by jingo!1694
splutter1707
by jing!1786
I snore1790
declare1811
by the hokey1825
shiver my timbers1834
by the (great) horn spoon1842
upon my Sam1879
for goodness' sake1885
yerra1892
for the love of Mike1896
by the hokey fiddle1922
knickers1971
1971 TV Times 23 Sept. 6/1 When things go wrong then I'll say: ‘Knickers. I'll have another go.’
1974 Pacifist June 20/2 This is where the revolution's happening, man, and knickers to the metropolis!
1974 Daily Tel. 5 Oct. 5/3 Asked whether she would tell them more about the man.., she said: ‘Knickers. I have told you all I know.’
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a.
knicker fabric n.
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1974 News of World 22 Sept. 14/4 Faiman's in Southampton sold us a skirt in nasty ‘knicker’ fabric.
knicker hose n.
ΚΠ
1899 Northern Times (Golspie, Sutherland) 22 June 1/2 (advt.) In the Gents. Department..Hand-Knitted knicker hose a speciality.
knicker skirt n.
ΚΠ
1912 Woman's Weekly 27 Jan. p. iii/2 (advt.) Knicker Skirts, Nightdresses, Pyjamas, &c.
knicker suit n.
ΚΠ
1899 Daily News 13 July 6/6 A well-known North Country flockmaster,..in a light check knicker suit.
b.
knicker-pink adj.
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1973 Sunday Times 7 Oct. 36/5 Alive and well in a spanking new knicker-pink emporium at 100 Mount Street.
C2.
knicker yarn n. = knickerbocker yarn n. at knickerbocker n. Compounds 1.
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the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > coloured or patterned
random1874
mélange1886
marl1892
knickerbocker yarn1911
knicker yarn1929
1929 Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 879/2 ‘Knicker yarns’ are produced by throwing little bits of highly coloured material into the last cylinders of the card so that instead of being broken up by carding they are carried forward as ‘knickers’ into the spun thread.
1951 Good Housek. Home Encycl. 327/2 ‘Knicker’ yarns may be produced by including bits of coloured material in the final cording.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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n.int.1881