Dictionary

big girl's blouse en · NOUN

Etymology

First recorded (1969) in the television sitcom Nearest and Dearest, used by the character Nellie Pledge (played by comedienne Hylda Baker). It has been suggested that Baker had previously used this expression in her stage act.

Meanings

1. (Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, derogatory, informal) An effeminate or weak man, a sissy.
   • The reason for this was not because I was a big girl's blouse – no matter what anyone else says – but because as a fast bowler the big toe on the landing foot, which was the right in my case, is always in a state of disrepair. 2013, Ian Botham, Beefy's Cricket Tales: My Favourite Stories from On and Off the Field, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 134:
   • Call an election, you great big girl's blouse. 2019 September 4, Boris Johnson, Prime Minister's Questions, Response to Jeremy Corbyn (the Leader of the Opposition), House of Commons:
   • You can see why people might think you’re a bit of a big girl’s blouse, because you have manicures, sunbeds and bleach your hair. 2002 June, “Question to David Beckham”, in Marie Claire, archived from the original on 23 Aug 2006:

Forms

Synonyms

pantywaist · effeminate man · wuss · pansy · nancyboy

wikipedia: Nearest and Dearest · wikipedia: Hylda Baker