dutchman's breeches

The Sailor's Word-Book

The patch of blue sky often seen when a gale is breaking, is said to be, however small, "enough to make a pair of breeches for a Dutchman." Others assign the habiliment to a Welshman, but give no authority for the assumption.

Related Words

Breeches
·noun ·pl Trousers; pantaloons. II. Breeches ·noun ·pl A garment worn by men, covering the hips and...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Breeches
(Ex. 28:42), rather linen drawers, reaching from the waist to a little above the knee, worn by the p...

Easton's Bible Dictionary
breeches
To wear the breeches; a woman who governs her husband is said to wear the breeches. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
Breeches Yard
In Townsend Lane, Thames Street (P.C. 1732-Boyle, 1799). Not named in the maps. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
breeches bible
An edition of the Bible printed in 1598, wherein it is said that Adam and Eve sewed figleaves togeth...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
little breeches
A familiar appellation used to a little boy. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
sitting breeches
One who stays late in company, is said to have his sitting breeches on, or that he will sit longer t...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
welshman's breeches
See dutchman's breeches. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
too big for his breeches
is said of a man who is above his business; arrogant; haughty. Gentlemen, I was one of the first to...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
wry mouth and a pissen pair of breeches
Hanging. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose