TROUSERS
ADJECTIVES
► ASSY of the seat of a pair of trousers or skirt: shiny → 20C US sl.
► ATE OUT of trousers: worn, baggy, saggy → 2002 US sl.
► NUT-HUGGING of trousers: very tight → 2002 US sl.
► SANSCULOTTED unbreeched → 1801
► SANSCULOTTIC without breeches, unbreeched; hence, inadequately or improperly clothed → 1833
► TROUSERIAN pert. to trousers → 1820
INTERJECTIONS, PHRASES
► ARE YOU FEELING A BREEZE? used to warn a man that his pants are torn or that his fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► AT HALF-MAST in a partially lowered position; used esp. of trousers, or a partial erection of the penis → 1940 sl.
► BARN IS OPEN, THE a warning to a man that his trouser-fly is open → 1966
► BIT TIGHT UNDER THE ARMS, A refers to a pair of trousers that are much too large for the wearer → 20C
► CAN’T YOU FEEL THE WIND? used to warn a man that his pants are torn or that his fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► COW LOT GATE IS OPEN, THE a warning that a trouser fly is open → 1954
► COWS AND HORSES WILL GET OUT said to warn a male that his fly is undone → 20C US sl.
► DAMPER’S DOWN used as a warning to a man that his trouser-fly is open → 1968 Amer. dial.
► DIME ON THE COUNTER used to warn a man that his trouser-fly is open → 1967 Amer. dial.
► DON’T YOU FEEL A LITTLE AIRY? used to warn a man that his pants are torn or that his fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► DO YOU FEEL A BREEZE? used to warn a man that his pants are torn or that his fly is open → 1965
► DO YOU FEEL A DRAFT? used to warn a man that his pants are torn or that his fly is open → 1965
► EYES IN THE BREECHES an expression of warning for a tear in the pants → 1957
► FEEL THE BREEZE? used to warn a man that his pants are torn or that his fly is open → 1950 Amer. dial.
► FEEL THE DRAFT? used to warn a man that his pants are torn or that his fly is open → 1950 Amer. dial.
► FINGER TOO SORE TO BUTTON? used as a warning that one’s trouser-fly is open → 1954 Amer. dial.
► FLY OVER THE HILLS a fly-button undone and showing → 1979 schoolchildren’s usage
► HAVE YOU GOT YOUR COMING-OUT PANTS ON? a warning to a man this his pants are torn or split → 1968
► ICEBOX IS OPEN a warning to a man that his trouser-fly is open → 1970 Amer. dial.
► IT’S ONE O’ CLOCK a warning that one’s fly-button is undone → 1910 sl.
► IT’S ONE O’CLOCK AT THE BUTTON FACTORY used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open → 1950 Amer. dial.
► IT’S ONE-O’CLOCK AT THE WATERWORKS a signal to a male that his trousers are unzipped or unbuttoned → 20C Aust. sl.
► IT’S ONE O’CLOCK AT THE ZIPPER FACTORY used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► IT’S ONE O’CLOCK, CLOSE UP used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► IT’S ONE O’CLOCK IN PETERSBURG used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► IT’S ONE O’CLOCK IN WATERTOWN used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► JACK WHITE IS OUT OF JAIL used as a warning that a man’s pants are torn → 1909 Amer. dial.
► JOHNNY’S ABOUT TO SHOW one’s fly is open → 1967 Amer. dial.
► JOHNNY’S OUT one’s fly is open → 1967 Amer. dial.
► LIKE ST. PAUL’S used to describe tight trousers → 20C Aust. sl.
► MULE’S ABOUT TO GET OUT, THE warning to a man this his trouser fly is open → 1969 Amer. dial.
► OPEN HOUSE used to indicate that a man’s trouser fly is open → 1950 Amer. dial.
► SHUT THE BARN DOOR OR THE SHEEP WILL GET OUT your fly is open → 1965 Amer. dial.
► THERE’S A LETTER IN THE POST OFFICE used to indicate that there is a hole in one’s trousers or that one’s underwear is showing → 1855 Amer. dial.
► TREACLE! a jibe aimed at one whose trousers are too short → 1920 Aust. sl.
► TREACLE-TROUSERS! a jibe aimed at one whose trousers are too short → 1920 Aust. sl.
► X.Y.Z. ‘examine your zipper’; telling a man that he has forgotten to zip up his trousers → 20C US sl.
► YOU LEFT YOUR MULE STABLE OPEN warning to a man this his trouser fly is open → 1969 Amer. dial.
► YOUR BACK DOOR IS OPEN a warning to a man that his pants are torn or split → 1928 Amer. jocular usage
► YOUR BARN DOOR IS OPEN AND THE OWLS ARE COMING OUT your fly is open → 1965 Amer. jocular usage
► YOUR BARN DOOR IS OPEN, THE HORSE MIGHT GET OUT your fly is open → 1965 Amer. jocular usage
► YOUR DOG IS GOING TO GET OUT said to warn a man that his trouser-fly is open → 1967
► YOU’RE AT HALF-MAST a warning that one’s trouser fly is open → 1967 Amer. dial.
► YOUR ENDGATE’S OPEN a warning to a man that his trouser-fly is open → 1968 Amer. dial.
► YOUR LUNCH BUCKET IS OPEN used as a warning to a man that his trouser fly is open → 1980
► YOUR MEDALS ARE SHOWING a warning that one’s fly is undone → 20C UK sl.
► YOUR NOSE IS BLEEDING a warning that one’s fly is undone → 19C UK sl.
NOUNS
► ABRIDGEMENTS knee-breeches → M19 sl.
► ADAM AND THE ANTS pants → 2016 Cockney rhyming sl. for ‘pants’ (Bk.)
► ADAM ANTS pants → 1980 Brit. rhyming sl.
► ALBERTS dress trousers → L19
► ANKLE-BITER tight trousers, as worn by hussars → 1920
► ANKLE CHOKERS narrow-bottomed Army-issue trousers → 1940 World War II Amer. sl.
► ANKLE SATCHELS long trousers → 1966
► APPLECATCHERS knickerbockers → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► ARSE ► ASS the seat of the trousers → 1556
► ARSE-RUG trousers; breeches → M19 Brit. sl.
► ARTICLES breeches, trousers → 1780 cant
► BAGGIES baggy trousers → 1963 Amer sl., orig. surfing usage
► BAGS trousers → 1853 UK sl.
► BALL UP the front or flap of the breeches → 17C Eng. & Amer. dial.
► BALLOP the old name for the flap in the front of the breeches, which is buttoned up → 1824
► BARN DOOR a wide front flap on trousers, buttoned at the sides → 1885 Amer. dial.
► BARN-DOOR BRITCHES a wide front flap on trousers, buttoned at the sides → 1885 Amer. dial.
► BARN-DOOR PANTS a wide front flap on trousers, buttoned at the sides → 1940 Amer. dial.
► BELLS bell-bottomed pants worn by either males or females → 1970 (Bk.)
► BOSOM OF THE PANTS the seat of the trousers → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BOTTLE POCKET the left side trousers pocket → 1980 Amer. dial.
► BOWYANG a string or strap round the trouser leg to prevent the turn-up from dragging and to allow freedom of movement when crouching or bending → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► BREECHING trousers → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BREEK the leg of a trouser → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BREEKENS breeches → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BREEKIES a young boy’s breeches → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BREEK-KNEES knee-breeches → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BREEKS trousers, breeches → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BRITCHES trousers, pants → 1867 Amer. dial.
► BRITCHIN’ trousers → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BUM-BAGS trousers, breeches → 1840 Eng. dial. & sl.
► BUM-CURTAIN trousers, breeches → 19C sl.
► BUMSTERS trousers that are cut very low on the hips, so as to reveal the top of the wearer’s buttocks → 1993
► CACK-CATCHERS trousers tied at the ankles, as worn by country farm-workers → 20C Aust. sl.
► CACKERSARNIE the condition that exists when someone pulls your trousers or underpants forcefully upward, forming a wedge between buttock cheeks → 1980 UK sl., chiefly schoolboys’ usage
► CALF-CLINGERS close-fitting trousers → 1884 sl.
► CALLARD & BOWSERS trousers → 1960 rhyming sl.
► CANTEEN MEDAL a fly-button undone → 1917 army sl.
► CANVASSEENS sailors’ canvas trousers → 1891 nautical sl. (Bk.)
► CHARLIE ROUSERS trousers → 1920 rhyming sl.
► CHOKEBORE BRITCHES trousers that narrow towards the bottom, esp. riding breeches → 1944 Amer. dial.
► CHOKE-BORED PANTS trousers that narrow towards the bottom, esp. riding breeches → 1967 Amer. dial.
► CHUDDIES short trousers, shorts → 1885 Indian English
► CLAM-DIGGERS trousers cut off at midcalf → 1950 sl.
► CONTINUATIONS trousers → 1942 US sl.(Bk.)
► COOTIE DRAPES a style of trousers, wide and draped and thus a possible home for lice → 1940 African-American sl.
► CRACKERS leather, generally sheepskin, trousers → 1833 S. Afr.
► CROWN SHEET the seat of the trousers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► CULOTTE knee breeches → 1842
► DACKS ► DAKS shorts or trousers → 1940 Aust. sl.
► DAN DARES ‘flares’, flared trousers → 1996 UK rhyming sl. for ‘flares’
► DEAD WOWSERS trousers → 20C Aust. rhyming sl.
► DECKS trousers → 1983 UK sl.
► DEPANTSING in a group of adolescent males: the removal of the trousers of one of their number, esp. in the presence of adolescent females → 20C US sl.
► DON’T-NAME-‘EMS trousers → M19 UK sl.
► DOWN TROU a lowering of one’s trousers in public, esp. in order to insult or amuse people → 1973
► DRUMSTICK CASES trousers → 19C sl.
► EEL-SKINS excessively tight trousers which cling to the wearer’s legs → 19C UK sl.
► FARTING-CRACKERS breeches; trousers → L17 cant
► FIPS ultra-styled trousers → 1942 US sl, (Bk.)
► FLARES trousers with legs that widen below the knee → 20C colloq.
► FLEAS AND ANTS pants; trousers → 20C US rhyming sl.
► GABS trousers made of gabardine → 1955 UK sl.
► GALLIGASKINS a kind of wide hose or breeches worn in the 16th and 17th centuries; later, a more or less ludicrous term for loose breeches in general → 1577
► GALLY BREECHES galligaskins → 1570 obs.
► GALLY-HOSE galligaskins → 1583 obs.
► GALLYSLOPES breeches → 1889 sl.
► GALLY SLOPS galligaskins → 1567 obs.
► GAM-CASES trousers; breeches → 19C UK sl.
► GASKINS wide, loose breeches → 1573 obs.
► GREGS galligaskins or breeches → 1611 obs.
► GUN-MOUTH PANTS men’s trousers with straight, tapered legs → 1937 Trinidad and Tobago sl.
► GUTKAS trousers → 1920 Cockney sl.
► HAM-BAGS trousers → 19C UK colloq.
► HAM-CASES trousers → L18 UK sl.
► HAMS trousers → L18 UK sl.
► HIGH WATERS jeans or trousers that are too short to cover the ankles → 1971 US students’ sl.
► HOUSE OF LORDS ‘cords’, corduroy trousers → 1992 UK rhyming sl. for ‘cords’
► HOWLING BAGS trousers with a loud pattern → 1850 sl.
► ICE-CREAM PANTS lightweight, light-coloured summer trousers → 1900 US sl.
► INDESCRIBABLES trousers → 1835 sl.
► INDISPENSABLES trousers → E19 UK sl.
► INEFFABLES trousers → 1850 humorous euphemism
► INEXPLICABLES trousers → 1836 sl.
► INEXPRESSIBLES trousers → 1790 sl.
► INNOMINABLES trousers; breeches → 1834 sl. obs.
► INSECTS AND ANTS pants, trousers → 20C UK rhyming sl.
► IRREPRESSIBLES trousers → 19C UK sl.
► JEGGINGS tight-fitting trousers in a lightweight fabric with the colour and appearance of denim → 20C
► JOHNNY ROWSERS trousers → 1920 rhyming sl.
► JOLLY ROUSERS ► JOLLY ROWSERS trousers → 1920 rhyming sl.
► KAKS ► KECKS ► KEKS ► KEX trousers → L19 sl.
► KELSOUNS drawers, linen trousers → 1568 obs.
► KICK trousers → 20C sl.
► KICK-CLOY a pair of breeches → M19 sl.
► KICKS breeches, trousers → 1699 sl.
► KICKSEYS ► KICKSIES trousers; breeches → 1841 cant
► KICKSTERS trousers; breeches → E19 UK sl.
► LACEBACKS overall pants → 1976 Amer. dial.
► LALLY-COVERS trousers → 2002 UK sl.
► LALLY-DRAGS trousers → 2002 UK sl.
► LEATHER-CRACKERS breeches → 1843
► LEG-BAGS trousers → 1890 US sl.
► LEG-COVERS trousers → L19 colloq.
► LIONEL BLAIRS ► LIONELS flares, trousers with flared legs → 1992 UK rhyming sl.
► LONGIES long trousers → 1942 US sl .(Bk.)
► LONG STRIDES long trousers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► LOON PANTS casual trousers widely flared from the knees to the ankles → 1971 sl.
► LOONS casual trousers widely flared from the knees to the ankles → 1971 sl.
► LOON TROUSERS casual trousers widely flared from the knees to the ankles → 1971 sl.
► MOLES moleskin trousers → L19 Aust. sl.
► MUSTN’T-MENTION-‘EMS trousers → M19 UK jocular usage
► NELLIE (BLIGH) ► NELLY (BLIGH) ► NELLY (BLY) the trousers’ fly → 1910 rhyming sl.
► NETHER GARMENTS trousers → 19C euphemism
► NEVER-MENTION-EMS trousers, unmentionables → 1856
► OILER oilskin or oilcloth trousers → L19 sl., orig. US
► PAIR OF DRUMS trousers → M19 UK sl.
► PANTIES trousers → M19 IS s;/
► PANTS trousers → 1840
► PEDAL-PUSHERS calf-length trousers for women or girls; originally designed for a ‘pedal-pusher’ (bicyclist) → 1944 US sl.
► PETROL BOWSERS ► PETROLS trousers → 1971 Aust. rhyming l.
► PETTIBOCKERS women’s knickerbockers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► PETTICOAT TROUSERS men’s wide, baggy trousers → 1753
► POOP-CATCHERS trousers tied at the ankles, as worn by country farm-workers → 1930 Aust. sl.
► PRINCE ALBERTS dress trousers → L19
► PRINCE ALFREDS dress trousers → L19
► QUEER KICKS old, worn-out trousers → L17 UK criminals’ sl.
► QUEER NICKS worn-out breeches → E19 UK criminals’ sl.
► QUICKIES zippered trousers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► RAMMIES trousers → 1906 Aust. & S. Afr. sl.
► RAMMY ROUSERS trousers, pants → 1906 Aust. rhyming sl.
► RANK AND RICHES ► RANK AND RITCHES breeches, trousers → L19 rhyming sl.
► RATIONALS knickerbockers for women → 1889
ׇ► REACH-ME-DOWNS trousers → 19C colloq.
► REAT PLEAT fashion trousers → 1947 Mexican-American youth usage
► RES-WORT trousers → 1903 back-slang (Bk.)
► RICE-BAGS trousers → 1903 sl. (Bk.)
► RIPSY ROUSERS trousers → 20C Aust. rhyming sl.
► ROUND-ME-HOUSES ► ROUND-MY-HOUSES trousers; pants → M19 UK rhyming sl.
► ROUNDS ► ROUND-THE-HOUSES trousers → 1857 rhyming sl.
► ROYAL ALBERTS dress trousers → L19
► SACK-PANTS loose-fitting trousers → 1856 US
► SACKS trousers → 20C
► SHERRYVALLIES pantaloons made of thick velvet or leather, buttoned on the outside of each leg, and generally worn over other pantaloons → 1778 US
► SHIT-CATCHERS knickerbockers → 1930 Aust. sl.
► SHOP DOOR the fly on a man’s trousers → 1965 US sl.
► SHOW-AND-TELL PANTS very tight-fitting men’s pants which reveal the outlines of the genitals → M20 US sl.
► SINE QUA NONS breeches → 1850
► SIN-HIDERS trousers → E20 UK sl.
► SIT-DOWN-UPONS trousers, breeches → 1840 colloq.
► SITTING BREECHES the trousers worn (figuratively) by visitors who have overstayed their welcome → 1965 US sl.
► SITTING BRITCHES the trousers worn (figuratively) by an idler or laggard → 1963 US sl.
► SIT-UPONS trousers, breeches → 1841 sl.
► SLICKER BREECHES waterproof trousers → 1942 US sl.(Bk.)
► SMALL CLOTHES breeches; knee breeches → 1770
► SMALLS breeches, trousers → 1795
► STRADDLERS trousers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► STRIDERS trousers → L19 sl.
► STRIDES trousers → 1889 orig. theatrical
► STROSSERS a type of tight trousers → 1598 obs.
► STROUSES breeches, trews → 1600 obs.
► ST. VITUS’S DANCE pants → 20C Aust. rhyming sl.
► TEUGS trousers; the thighs of a pair of breeches → 1905 Sc. (Bk.)
► TICKLE BREECHES wool or coarse-woven trousers → 1942 US sl.(Bk.)
► TIGERS wide-striped trousers → 1942 US sl.(Bk.)
► TIN PANTS heavy waterproof trousers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► TROLLY-WAGS trousers, breeches → 1890 sl.
► TROU trousers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► TROUSERETTES any trousers which are not full-length, such as knickerbockers breeches, shorts, etc. later also, trousers for small children, esp. boys → 1875
► TROUSIES trousers → 1916 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES formal dress breeches worn for Court appearances → L19 US sl.
► UNCLES AND AUNTS pants → 1920 rhyming sl.
► UNHINTABLES trousers → 19C jocular euphemism
► UNMENTIONABLES breeches, trousers → 19C colloq.
► UNSPEAKABLES breeches or trousers → E19 jocular euphemism
► UNTALKABOUTABLES trousers → M19 sl
► UNUTTERABLES trousers → E19 UK sl.
► UNWHISPERABLES trousers → E19 UK & US sl.
► VELVETEENS trousers or knickerbockers made of velveteen → 1863
► WET WEATHERS waterproof trousers → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► WHIPPED-CREAM PANTS riding or other breeches made out of cloth ‘the colour of whipped cream’ (off-white) → 1968 Amer. dial.
► WHISTLE BREECHES ► WHISTLE BRITCHES ► WHISTLE TROUSERS corduroy pants → 1904 Amer. dial.
► WHISTLING BREECHES corduroy trousers → 19C sl.
NOUNS – PERSON
► CAKE youths who wore stylish wide-bottomed trousers → E19 US sl., esp. gang usage
► DROOPY-DRAWERS someone, usually a child, whose pants are falling down → 2006 US sl.(Bk.)
► SKITTERBROOK a person who befouls his breeches; a coward → 1632 obs.
► SMALL CLOTHES a person who wears breeches → 1825 obs.
► WHISTLE BREECHES a nickname for one who wears corduroy pants → 1904 Amer. dial.
► WHISTLE BRITCHES a nickname for one who wears corduroy pants → 1904 Amer. dial.
► WHISTLE TROUSERS a nickname for one who wears corduroy pants → 1904 Amer. dial.
VERBS
► BREEK to don the trousers → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► DACK ► DAK to pull another’s trousers down as a prank → 20C Aust. sl.
► DEBAG to remove someone’s trousers, esp. as a joke → 1914 UK sl.
► DROP TROU as a prank, to lower your trousers, bend over and expose your buttocks to the world → 1966 US sl.
► LOCK THE BARN DOOR to fasten one’s trouser fly → 1968 Amer. dial.
► LOCK THE BARN DOOR BEFORE THE HORSE GETS AWAY to fasten one’s trouser fly → 1968 Amer. dial.
► PANT ►PANTS to provide with trousers or pants; to allow (one) to wear long trousers → 1934 Amer. dial.
► SAG to wear one’s trousers hanging low, exposing the top of one’s underwear → 1991 African-American
► UNBETTY of a prostitute: to unbutton the customer’s trousers → 1930 US criminals’ sl.
Lexicophilia 