panty

Etymology

Recorded since 1845 in the plural, meaning “drawers for men”, a derogatory diminutive of pants (the shortening of pantaloons); meaning “underpants for women or children” first recorded 1908.

noun

1. (obsolete, in the plural) Short trousers for men, or more usually boys.
2. (usually in the plural, or in compounds) An article of clothing worn as underpants by women.
   1952 October 13, Advertisement, Life, page 13, For, unlike old-fashioned diapers, PLAYTEX Dryper confines all wetness to the panty area; brings your baby a whole new world of comfort plus cleaner, finer protection.
   2003, Glamour, Volume 101, Issues 4-6, page number unknown, “One time I was going to run and change before a concert because I realized I had panty lines showing,” says Britta Phillips, […] .
   That puts their panty well over 1000% higher priced than the Hanes panty and roughly 300% higher priced than the Victoria′s Secret panty. All three are cotton bikini panties. Not much difference in the actual panty but a huge discrepancy in prices. 2011, Dan S. Kennedy, Jason Marrs, No B.S. Price Strategy, page 54
3. (informal, roller derby) A helmet cover.
   There is a special play called “Passing the Star” that allows the jammer to remove her helmet panty and hand it over to the pivot. 2010, Alex Cohen, Jennifer Barbee, Down and Derby: The Insider's Guide to Roller Derby, unnumbered page
   We′re practicing this strategy right now. Francesca is the Jammer, and she′s supposed to pass me the helmet panty. Bruisey-Q is assisting her, helping her get through the pack by knocking the formidable ass of ThunderSmack out of the way. 2010, Pamela Ribon, Going in Circles, page 200
   "If you get jammed in, hand me the panty. You can't throw it at me." 2018, Elicia Hyder, Lights Out Lucy: Roller Derby 101