Knickers

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

For clothing worn by men and boys, see knickerbockers (clothing). For other uses, see knickerbocker.

Women's undergarments

In the United Kingdom, Ireland and some fellow Commonwealth nations, knickers is a term for panties or similar women's undergarments: "Don't get your knickers in a twist" (i.e. "don't get all hot under the collar," or, in US usage "don't get your panties in a bunch." Australian usage "don't get your knickers in a knot".). George Cruikshank, whose illustrations are classic icons for Charles Dickens' works, also did the illustrations for Irving's droll History of New York when it was published in London. He showed the old-time Knickerbockers in their loose Dutch breeches, and by 1859, short loose ladies undergarments, a kind of abbreviated version of pantalettes or pantaloons, were knickers in England. After World War I, very loose ladies' knickers were called "taxi treats", when the driver was asked to take the long way round the Park.

The British sense may have supplanted the American sense as of 2005, at least among younger users; though not widely used in the United States, the British form is at least widely understood. However, frequently in American media, supposedly British characters use the term "knickers" to mean male underwear, examples including Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, The Simpsons and the 2001 remake of Ocean's Eleven.

[edit] Other Uses

The appellation "Tarty Knickers" has come to be applied to women who dress in a way which is ostentatious or sexually provocative.