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bobby socks

American  
[bob-ee-soks] / ˈbɒb iˌsɒks /
Also bobsox or bobby sox,

plural noun

  1. socks that reach above the ankle and are sometimes folded down to the ankle.


adjective

  1. indicating or associated with the wearing of bobbysocks; adolescent.

    strictly a bobbysocks crowd; the bobbysocks generation.

bobby socks British  

plural noun

  1. ankle-length socks worn by teenage girls, esp in the US in the 1940s

"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

Etymology

Origin of bobby socks

1940–45, bobby (for bobbed 2 ( def. ), altered by association with bobby pin ) + socks ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Scrappy Marie from Glasgow was edged out by Lulu, with her chipmunk smile, sculpted hair and bobby socks.

From BBC Sep. 23, 2025

What fascinated me was that the girl who rode bikes or opened holiday presents with her brother, and posed in the swing skirts and bobby socks of another era, looked remarkably like me.

From Salon Aug. 24, 2019

“The Reynolds Sisters” entertained the church pews in hula skirts and bobby socks.

From Washington Post Mar. 23, 2016

The girls are kicking up their bobby socks and their skirts are twirling, their Peter pan collars buttoned up.

From New York Times Aug. 13, 2013

She’s about six years old, in a plaid jumper dress, white T-shirt, bobby socks and shoes, her hair loose from its braids, right hand gripping something against her chest.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

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