subs. phr. (old).—A rich man or woman. [Silken hose were regarded as extravagant and luxurious.] Hence, THE SILK-STOCKING GENTRY (or ELEMENT) = the wealthy classes; and SILKEN = luxurious; YOUR SILKINESS! = Mr. Luxury. Also SILK-PETTICOAT = a woman of fashion (in quot. 1706 = a whore of price).
1596. SHAKESPEARE, King John, v. 1, 70. A cocker’d SILKEN wanton.
1601. JONSON, The Poetaster, iii. 1. Sir, YOUR SILKINESS clearely mistakes Mæcenas and his house.
1706. WARD, The Wooden World Dissected, 62, ‘A Midship-Man.’ He will have a Whore … tho’ he pay for it…. SILK-PETTICOATS are not to be had for the uptaking.
