{"id":1306,"date":"2010-12-13T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2010-12-13T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.badreputation.org.uk\/?p=1306"},"modified":"2010-12-13T09:00:30","modified_gmt":"2010-12-13T09:00:30","slug":"an-alphabet-of-femininism-11-k-is-for-knickerbocker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/badreputation.org.uk\/2010\/12\/13\/an-alphabet-of-femininism-11-k-is-for-knickerbocker\/","title":{"rendered":"An Alphabet of Feminism #11: K is for Knickerbocker"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
“I should say that a walking suit in which one could not walk, and a winter suit which exposes the throat, head, and feet to cold and damp, was rather a failure,” said Dr. Alec [who had his own ideas about what his niece should be wearing.]<\/p>\n
“Alec, if it is a Bloomer, I shall protest. I’ve been expecting it, but I know I cannot bear to see that pretty child sacrificed to your wild ideas of health. Tell me it isn’t a Bloomer!” and Mrs. Clara clasped her hands imploringly.<\/p>\n
Louisa May Alcott, Eight Cousins (1875)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Nope, a\u00a0knickerbocker. <\/em>This is a strange word, with an uncertain trajectory from immigration to ladies’ unmentionables, and its progress will here be followed with a suitably bifurcated approach: one leg underwear and one leg outerwear. We meet in the middle.<\/p>\n