skivvy

¹ American  

[skiv-ee] / ˈskɪv i /

Or scivvy

noun

Informal.

plural

skivvies

1. Also called skivvy shirt.  a man's cotton T-shirt.

2. skivvies, underwear consisting of cotton T-shirt and shorts.

3. a thin sweater with a round neck, usually worn over a blouse, turtleneck, or the like.

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skivvy ² American  

[skiv-ee] / ˈskɪv i /

noun

plural

skivvies

1. a female servant, especially a chambermaid.

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verb (used without object)

skivvied, skivvying

1. to work as a skivvy.

skivvy ¹ British  

/ ˈskɪvɪ /

noun

1. slang a man's T-shirt or vest

2. slang (plural) men's underwear

3. a garment resembling a sweater with long sleeves and a polo neck, usually made of stretch cotton or cotton and polyester and worn by either sex

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skivvy ² British  

/ ˈskɪvɪ /

noun

1. derogatory a servant, esp a female, who does menial work of all kinds; drudge

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verb

1. (intr) to work as a skivvy

Sensitive Note

This term is used with disparaging intent, implying the low rank of such a servant.

Etymology

Origin of skivvy¹

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Origin of skivvy²

First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

"I was grafting, picking up boxes, dreaming of being at an Olympic Games. I was doing the rubbish, delivering parts, just a skivvy job really," he said.

From BBC

But mostly, she was a maid, a skivvy and, in her hours off, a crammer of simple facts.

From Literature

You can vacuum pack clothing to save on space, or try the skivvy roll to pack your undies into a neat, sock-encased bundle.

From The Verge

Borrowing this straight off the runway styling note has an extra advantage: when you wear a jumpsuit with a skivvy underneath, you don’t have to go totally nude in the toilette.

From The Guardian

Powell marked time in a commercial laundry until she was 15 and old enough to don cap and apron, the hated stigmata of the skivvy.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• bond servant
• bondslave
• bondsman/woman
• captive
• chattel
• serf