skivvy

¹

or sciv·vy

[ skiv-ee ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural skiv·vies.

1. Also called skivvy shirt. a man's cotton T-shirt.
2. skivvies, underwear consisting of cotton T-shirt and shorts.
3. a thin sweater with a round neck, usually worn over a blouse, turtleneck, or the like.

skivvy

²

[ skiv-ee ]

noun

, plural skiv·vies.

1. a female servant, especially a chambermaid.

verb (used without object)

, skiv·vied, skiv·vy·ing.

1. to work as a skivvy.

skivvy

¹

/ ˈskɪvɪ /

noun

1. slang.
   a man's T-shirt or vest
2. slang.
   plural men's underwear
3. a garment resembling a sweater with long sleeves and a polo neck, usually made of stretch cotton or cotton and polyester and worn by either sex

skivvy

²

/ ˈskɪvɪ /

noun

1. derogatory.
   a servant, esp a female, who does menial work of all kinds; drudge

verb

1. intr to work as a skivvy

Sensitive Note

This term is used with disparaging intent, implying the low rank of such a servant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of skivvy¹

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Origin of skivvy²

First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of skivvy¹

of unknown origin

Origin of skivvy²

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

"I was grafting, picking up boxes, dreaming of being at an Olympic Games. I was doing the rubbish, delivering parts, just a skivvy job really," he said.

From BBC

But mostly, she was a maid, a skivvy and, in her hours off, a crammer of simple facts.

From Literature

You can vacuum pack clothing to save on space, or try the skivvy roll to pack your undies into a neat, sock-encased bundle.

From The Verge

Borrowing this straight off the runway styling note has an extra advantage: when you wear a jumpsuit with a skivvy underneath, you don’t have to go totally nude in the toilette.

From The Guardian

She wears black knee-high boots, a white skivvy that gives her a lovely shape, and a dark jacket-vest.

From Literature

Related Words

• bond servant
• bondslave
• bondsman/woman
• captive
• chattel
• serf