subs. (common).—In pl. = women (generic). Hence (venery) TO SKIRT (or FLUTTER A SKIRT) = to walk the streets; to DO A BIT OF SKIRT = to copulate: see RIDE and cf. PLACKET, PETTICOAT, MUSLIN, &c.

1

  1899.  HYNE, Further Adventures of Captain Kettle, xii. If … you rats of men shove your way down here … before all THE SKIRT is ferried across, you’ll get knocked on the head.

2

  TO SIT UPON ONE’S SKIRTS, verb. phr. (old).—To pursue.

3

  1525–37.  H. ELLIS, Original Letters, Illustrative of English History, I. iii. She will SIT UPON MY SKYRTES.

4

  1620.  The Abortive of an Idle Howre [HALLIWELL].

        Cross me not Liza, nether be so perte,
For if thou dost, I’ll SIT UPON THY SKERTE.

5

  1650.  HOWELL, Familiar Letters, II. xxxv. Touching the said Archbishop, he had not stood neutral as was promised, therefore he had justly SET ON HIS SKIRTS.

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