long johns

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. long underwear, especially for winter use.

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long johns British  

plural noun

1. informal underpants with long legs

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Etymology

Origin of long johns

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

long johns

This time period also brought the introduction of union suits—predecessors of long johns and onesies—to meet the needs of both men and women.

From National Geographic ● Jan. 9, 2024

He and his cartoon avatar dressed in red long johns and a Napoleon bicorne hat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2023

“It’s such an Alaskan thing to do, is let your friends know what gear they need for the day. So I knew I needed to wear my long johns, thanks to Sarah’s text.”

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2022

As he rotated past on a set piece, the tenor Rolando Villazón, wearing Papageno’s lime-green long johns and backward baseball cap, answered in accented English, “I’m right here.”

From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2021

It was warm now, coming on May by Miig’s calculations, but the mornings were still bitey and she was in her pajamas—an old T-shirt and a cut pair of long johns.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline