knickerbocker

Where does the word "knickerbocker" come from? It comes from Dutch Knickerbocker, passing through American English before entering English (1850s).

Knickerbocker’s story begins in Dutch: Knickerbocker meant “a surname.” A Dutch family name in New Netherland. By 1809, the word had taken hold in American English as Knickerbocker. Washington Irving's comic 'History of New York' by 'Diedrich Knickerbocker' made it a name for Dutch New Yorkers. It reached English by 1850s as knickerbockers. Named after the knee breeches in the book's illustrations; shortened to 'knickers' in the 1860s. Today, knickerbocker means loose breeches gathered at the knee.

1. Stage 1 · Dutch · 1600s Knickerbocker "a surname", a Dutch family name in New Netherland.
2. Stage 2 · American English · 1809 Knickerbocker "Dutch New Yorker", Washington Irving's comic 'History of New York' by 'Diedrich Knickerbocker' made it a name for Dutch New Yorkers.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1850s knickerbockers "knee breeches", named after the knee breeches in the book's illustrations; shortened to 'knickers' in the 1860s.