Wiggings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A form of corporal punishment involving striking someone on the buttocks with a rod or cane ; the act or process of administering such a punishment ; a garment or covering resembling a wig for the lower body in historical dress
  2. The practice of disciplining by hitting the posterior with a stiff stick ; the action or event of applying this form of punishment ; a type of cloth or leather covering shaped like a wig but worn on the hips or thighs in older clothing styles
  3. The method of inflicting physical discipline on the buttocks using a slender rod ; the occurrence or instance of delivering such punishment ; a component of period attire designed to mimic wig styles but adapted as lower-body adornment

Etymology: The word "wiggings" traces back to the Middle English period, where it referred to a type of garment or clothing item. Its origins lie in the Old English word "wic," which meant a dwelling or a village, but in this case, "wiggings" is more directly related to "wigge," a term used for a woven or stitched piece of fabric. The suffix "-ing" was commonly added in Middle English to denote a noun related to an action or a thing associated with a root word, so "wiggings" likely originally meant pieces of cloth or garments made by weaving or stitching. During the late medieval period, "wiggings" came to refer more specifically to leggings or coverings for the legs. They were practical garments worn to protect the legs and provide warmth, especially in colder climates. The plural form "wiggings" reflects the fact that these were worn in pairs, much like modern leggings or hose. Over time, the term became less common as clothing styles evolved and more specialized words like "stockings" and "leggings" took precedence. Though now largely archaic, the word remains a fascinating example of how clothing terminology developed in English through a combination of descriptive roots and morphological endings. It also hints at the practical, everyday concerns of people in earlier centuries, who needed durable, woven leg coverings as part of their daily attire. The transition from a general term for woven fabric to a specific garment illustrates the gradual specialization of language in response to cultural and technological changes.

Synonyms: wigs