shirttail

[ shurt-teyl ]

noun

1. the part of a shirt below the waistline.
2. Journalism. a brief item added at the end of a related newspaper story. Compare follow-up ( def 3b ).

adjective

1. quite young and immature in behavior.
2. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. of distant relation, especially by marriage:

   some shirttail cousins I'd never met.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to append or add (an item) to a discussion or writing:

   The tariff concessions were shirttailed onto the trade bill.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shirttail¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; shirt + tail ¹

Example Sentences

We rented it from some shirttail cousin on my father’s side.

From Literature

Unless someone put him to rights, he might show up for a speech with his shirttail out, or wearing his lunch on his tie.

From Los Angeles Times

Like, ‘No, no, let that moment be messy. Let the shirttails hang out,’” Lewis said.

From New York Times

Even with my shirttails hanging out and the necktie crooked, it was easy to see that the clothes were tailored and finely made.

From Literature

Now even the gentlemen go around with their white, knobby knees peeking out from under their long shirttails.

From Literature