galligaskins

American  

[gal-i-gas-kinz] / ˌgæl ɪˈgæs kɪnz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. loose hose or breeches worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.

2. loose breeches in general.

3. leggings or gaiters, usually of leather.

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galligaskins British  

/ ˌɡælɪˈɡæskɪnz /

plural noun

1. loose wide breeches or hose, esp as worn by men in the 17th century

2. leather leggings, as worn in the 19th century

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Etymology

Origin of galligaskins

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier gallogascaine(s), galigascon(s), of obscure origin; perhaps alteration (with influence of galley and Gascon or -kin ) of obsolete French garguesque, greguesque, ultimately from Latin Graecus “Greek” ( see Greek)

Example Sentences

The jerkin, the doublet, the galligaskins were put on to serve the practical purposes of life, not to attract the policeman or the spinster.

From A Book of Scoundrels by Whibley, Charles

"A green gown and a pair of leathern galligaskins every Pentecost," said the Kitchener.

From The Monastery by Scott, Walter, Sir

As Hercules, whose counterpart she was, changed his club for the distaff of Omphale, so would she put off the wimple and bodice of her sex for jerkin and galligaskins.

From A Book of Scoundrels by Whibley, Charles

Saying which he nodded, gave a hitch to his wide galligaskins and rolled away.

From Black Bartlemy's Treasure by Farnol, Jeffery

It was still her habit to appear publicly in jerkin and galligaskins, to smoke tobacco in contempt of her sex, and to fight her enemies with a very fury of insolence.

From A Book of Scoundrels by Whibley, Charles