Knickerbocker

[ nik-er-bok-er ]

/ ˈnɪk ərˌbɒk ər /

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noun

a descendant of the Dutch settlers of New York.

any New Yorker.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of Knickerbocker

1800–10, Americanism; generalized from Diedrich Knickerbocker, fictitious author of Washington Irving's History of New York

Words nearby Knickerbocker

Kneller, knelt, Knesset, knew, knicker, Knickerbocker, knickerbocker glory, knickerbockers, knickered, knickers, knickknack

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Knickerbocker in a sentence

This year’s world championships will take place on Knickerbocker, one of Zwift’s fantasy New York routes.
Competitive e-cycling lets you be a champion from your apartment|Chris Baraniuk|January 10, 2022|MIT Technology Review
It’s pretty difficult for any New York Knickerbocker to fly under the radar.
Bing Bong, Who’s There? RJ Barrett.|Jared Dubin|November 3, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
On some, on the letterhead, it will say, Dashiell Hammett, Knickerbocker, San Francisco, California.
Lost Hammett Stories Discovered|Malcolm Jones|February 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Tartiflette by Peggy Knickerbocker The food author shares a sinful stuffed cheese.
What to Eat|Cookstr.com|July 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST

The last time he saw her was at lunch at the Knickerbocker Club in September 2001.
Is Brooke Astor's Son a Swindler?|Ralph Gardner, Jr.|May 1, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Knickerbocker SKD also happens to have another client—the Rev. Al Sharpton, with whom Kennedy just had a media-event lunch.
Unknown Caroline|Harry Siegel|December 20, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Most of its contents had figured years before in the "Knickerbocker Magazine."
Washington Irving|Henry W. Boynton
This genial gentleman of old Knickerbocker stock greatly amused me with his blunt manner and dry jokes.
Ocean to Ocean on Horseback|Willard Glazier
He had been to Egypt and had written from there letters that were published in the Knickerbocker when Hoffman was at its head.
Literary New York|Charles Hemstreet
He has deftly touched a fruitful theme, at which we have more than once hinted in this department of the Knickerbocker.
The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, May 1844|Various
The head waiter could not see her when Forbes presented himself at the door of the Knickerbocker caf.
What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for Knickerbocker

Knickerbocker

/ (ˈnɪkəˌbɒkə) /

noun US

a descendant of the original Dutch settlers of New York

an inhabitant of New York

Word Origin for Knickerbocker

C19: named after Diedrich Knickerbocker, fictitious Dutchman alleged to be the author of Washington Irving's History of New York (1809)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012