knickers

knick-ers · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (British) Women's or girls' underpants.

  2. 2.

    (dated) Loose-fitting trousers gathered at the knee, worn by men and boys.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    get one's knickers in a twist — (British informal) become upset or agitated
  • •
    don't get your knickers in a knot — don't get upset

Related words

See also: panties, pants, underwear
Synonyms: briefs, panties, underpants

Etymology

Shortened from knickerbockers, named after the knee-length trousers worn by Dutch settlers in New York, as illustrated in Washington Irving's "History of New York" (1809).