sitting breeches
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
One who stays late in company, is said to have his sitting breeches on, or that he will sit longer than a hen.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “sitting breeches” mean?
One who stays late in company, is said to have his sitting breeches on, or that he will sit longer than a hen.
Is “sitting breeches” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.