Dictionary

straight shirttail en · NOUN

Etymology

Alluding to shirttails, which were formerly commonly worn by gentlemen. When someone would break into a run, they would rise into the air; hence, one might make "straight shirttails" when moving so fast that the shirttails become horizontal.

Meanings

1. (US, dated) A very hurried journey or movement, especially in return to a previous location; a dash.
   • The other boat closed with them. They had seen the seal basking on a low rock, but he was wary, and as soon as they came in sight, he flounced off the rock into the water, and made 'straight shirt-tails,' as the Yankees say, Allan taking a snap shot at him just ere he did so; but whether he had struck, grazed, or merely frightened the seal he could hardly tell. 1860 September, Francis Francis, “The Experiences of Sydney Godolphin Yahoo, Esq.”, in Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, page 400:
   • An' he made the funniest noise, tryin' to git his breath; kind of a 'w-e-e-k'—like a fat hog choked on an apple. Then he took a straight shirttail fer the open air; an' gittin' outside, he leaned up ag'inst the wall an' commenced to cry. 1901, James Ball Naylor, Ralph Marlowe: A Novel, Akron, O.H. […]: Saalfield Publishing, page 59:
   • The chairman had difficulty preserving order. One man said of their guest from Missouri: "I'll advise him to make a straight shirt tail for Missouri." 1977, Reef Waldrep, Macomb and Its Methodists, page 79:

Forms

Relateds

skedaddle · hightail