skivvy

¹ American  

[skiv-ee] / ˈskɪv i /

Or scivvy

noun

Informal.

plural

skivvies

1. Also called skivvy 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.

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skivvy ² American  

[skiv-ee] / ˈskɪv i /

noun

plural

skivvies

1. a female servant, especially a chambermaid.

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verb (used without object)

skivvied, skivvying

1. to work as a skivvy.

skivvy ¹ British  

/ 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

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skivvy ² British  

/ ˈskɪvɪ /

noun

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

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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.

Etymology

Origin of skivvy¹

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Origin of skivvy²

First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain

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 • Aug. 7, 2021

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 • Aug. 25, 2017

She also spent five months on the revived Upstairs, Downstairs last year, playing scene-stealing kitchen skivvy Eunice.

From The Guardian • Jun. 22, 2012

It was regulation issue for U.S. sailors and was called a skivvy shirt during World War II.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

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