>In article , "RichL" yahoo.com>
>wrote:
>

>> "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.

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>
>It's all good.