Etymology Map
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Knickerbocker

3 stages from Dutch to English.

Today it means loose breeches gathered at the knee

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
Knickerbocker
Dutch · 1600s
"a surname"
a Dutch family name in New Netherland
2
Stage 2 of 3
Knickerbocker
American English · 1809
"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 of 3
knickerbockers
English · 1850s
"knee breeches"
named after the knee breeches in the book's illustrations; shortened to 'knickers' in the 1860s
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Read the full story

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.