boiled shirt

noun

1. a formal or semiformal dress shirt with a starched front.

boiled shirt

noun

1. informal.
   a dress shirt with a stiff front

Word History and Origins

Origin of boiled shirt¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

He had been known to remark: "The sight of a bloke in a boiled shirt makes me sick."

From Project Gutenberg

The village treasurer wore a "boiled shirt" and brass collar-buttons, but no collar or coat.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a French civilian in evening dress—boiled shirt, white tie, and all—with a bowler hat bent to the storm.

From Project Gutenberg

Phelan exploded, jumping to his feet and turning white as his boiled shirt.

From Project Gutenberg

Doudney came to the door in his bare feet, buttoning his suspenders over a clean boiled shirt.

From Project Gutenberg