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

See Examples For:

galligaskins

The stang is of Saxon origin, and is practised in Lancashire, Cumberland, and Westmoreland, for the purpose of exposing a kind of gyneocracy, or, the wife wearing the galligaskins.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 13, No. 353, January 24, 1829 by Various

He wore a rich and beautiful doublet, trimmed with sable, white galligaskins, and slashed shoes; on his head was a satin barret cap with a red feather.

From The Serapion Brethren. Vol. II by Ernst Theordor Wilhelm Hoffmann

He goes on to relate how he is besieged by duns, and what a chasm there is in his "galligaskins."

From History of English Humour, Vol. 2 by Alfred Guy Kingan L'Estrange

He was a rough, powerful peasant, with cap and tunic of untanned sheepskin, leather breeches, and galligaskins round legs and feet.

From The White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In his right hand he held forth the ominous dispatches, and with his left he grasped firmly the waistband of his galligaskins, which had unfortunately given way in the exertion of descending from his horse.

From Knickerbocker's History of New York, Complete by Washington Irving