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Dictionary definition of “witches’ knickers”

witches’ knickers

n.pl. plastic bags that have caught in trees or bushes. Subjects: English, United Kingdom, Environment, Slang

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Citations: 2000 Katharine Blake Irish Times (Dec. 23) “Degradable witches’ knickers” p. 66: Two-thirds of this is plastic carrier bags, which end up in landfill or blowing about in trees and hedges (now known colloquially as “witches knickers”). 2004 [T. Feran] Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) (May 2) “Writer branches out to snagging bags”: A woman told them that in Ireland bags in trees are called witches’ knickers. 2004 Margie Wylie Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.) (Oct. 21) “Blight of bags bringing bans” p. 1: Alaskans call them “tundra ghosts” and “landfill snowbirds.” In China, they’re “white pollution.” South Africans have sarcastically dubbed them their “national flower.” Snagged in treetops in Ireland, they become “witches’ knickers.”

Posted 17 May 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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