Knickerbocker
- a descendant of the Dutch settlers of New York.
- any New Yorker.
Origin of Knickerbocker
knickers
- Also knick·er·bock·ers [nik-er-bok-erz] /ˈnɪk ərˌbɒk ərz/. loose-fitting short trousers gathered in at the knees.
- Chiefly British.
- a bloomerslike undergarment worn by women.
- panties.
- British Informal. a woman's or girl's short-legged underpants.
- to get one's knickers in a twist, British Slang. to get flustered or agitated: Don't get your knickers in a twist every time the telephone rings.
Origin of knickers
Examples from the Web for knickerbockers
Contemporary Examples of knickerbockers
Divorcees, Jews, and new money were excluded from the Knickerbockers.
Historical Examples of knickerbockers
"Time to go," said Philip, still in his tall silk hat and his knickerbockers.
The ManxmanHall Caine
"Most unpleasant for the Englishman," growls the man in knickerbockers.
Out-of-Doors in the Holy LandHenry Van Dyke
"What a beastly mess," rubbing the cobwebs off his hands on to his knickerbockers.
Hunter's MarjoryMargaret Bruce Clarke
In a grey Norfolk suit, with knickerbockers, and a soft felt hat.
The Shrieking PitArthur J. Rees
Stockings, knickerbockers, and blouse were drawn on with unwonted rapidity.
A Son of the CityHerman Gastrell Seely
knickerbockers
- baggy breeches fastened with a band at the knee or above the ankleAlso called (US): knickers
Word Origin for knickerbockers
Knickerbocker
- a descendant of the original Dutch settlers of New York
- an inhabitant of New York
Word Origin for Knickerbocker
knickers
- an undergarment for women covering the lower trunk and sometimes the thighs and having separate legs or leg-holes
- a US variant of knickerbockers
- get one's knickers in a twist slang to become agitated, flustered, or upset
Word Origin for knickers
Word Origin and History for knickerbockers
Knickerbocker
"descendant of Dutch settlers of New York," 1831, from Diedrich Knickerbocker, the name under which Washington Irving published his popular "History of New York" (1809). The pen-name was borrowed from Irving's friend Herman Knickerbocker, and literally means "toy marble-baker."
knickers
"short, loose-fitting undergarment," now usually for women but not originally so, 1866, shortening of knickerbockers (1859), said to be so called for their resemblance to the trousers of old-time Dutchmen in Cruikshank's illustrations for Washington Irving's "History of New York" (see knickerbocker).