noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A pair of straps or pieces of string tied around the leg below the knee to raise trousers above the level of farmyard dirt.

   "Use for ditching."

2. 2
   The same to prevent the ingress of dust and vermin up the trouser leg.

   "Keeping rats out."

3. 3
   A simpleton or country yokel. broadly

   "Interview with Sir Nicky Tam in the Aberdeen Voice."

Example

More examples

"A Pair of Nicky-Tams Folk song."

Etymology

From knickerbockers (due to the shape that the trouser legs adopt) + taum (a cord).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.