> "JohnB" tinyworld.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:f086c06a-532a-422e-b685-51cc45222d14@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>> On 30 Nov, 14:40, poisoned rose
>> eliteintelligentsiamonthly.com> wrote:

>>> JohnB tinyworld.co.uk> wrote:

>>>>> It's a shortened form of 'pantaloon' - British slang for removing

> one's

>>>>> trousers.

>>>

>>>>> DD

>>>

>>>> Pantaloons were a form of trousers, it's true, but the word is mostly
>>>> used in comic ways these days. I believe the word can also mean a
>>>> pantomime clown - and it's from that word - pantomime - that "panto"
>>>> derives. You know pantomime, surely? - A traditional Christmas play
>>>> full of absurd characters, slapstick comedy, awful jokes, double
>>>> entendres and cross-dressing. Hey ho!

>>>
>>> Now, if I could only figure out why British folks insult something
>>> by saying it's "pants."

>>
>> I think this may have originally come from a tv or cartoon character -
>> but as I understand it in the USA pants = trousers while in the UK
>> pants is short for underpants. Not that that explains it entirely.
>>
>> BTW I hate the phrase and would never use it myself - like a recent
>> import from the US, "My bad" meaning "my mistake". You can put it
>> down to my age ...

>
> I'm from the US, and hearing that phrase still raises the hair on my arms.