plastic pants

English

Etymology

From plastic +‎ pants. Late 1940s, when polyvinyl chloride (a plastic) replaced latex as the principal material of the garment due to its lower cost. Compare earlier rubber pants.

Noun

plastic pants pl (plural only)

1. An undergarment worn over a diaper/nappy (or underwear) in order to prevent leakage through the fabric.
   • 1949, Good Housekeeping‎^[1], volume 129, International Magazine Company, page 25:

     A case in point was a make of plastic pants for babies. Our laboratory analysis indicated the fabric contained nothing that would normally be harmful or irritating. Hydrostatic pressure verified waterproofness.

   • 1978, William Alan Heaton-Ward, Left Behind: A Study of Mental Handicap, Woburn Press, →ISBN, page 118:

     Mentally handicapped children under five may first come to the notice of the statutory services through the health visitors who are able to arrange for the provision of such important items as plastic pants, rubber sheeting and incontinence laundry services.

   • 2013, Dorothy Mandelstam, Understanding Incontinence: A Guide to the Nature and Management of a Very Common Complaint, Springer Science+Business Media, →ISBN, page 51:

     The use of absorbent pads and protective pants are an alternative solution. Many are available but there are four basic types:
     1. plastic pants into which pads are placed. There are pull-on, drop-front, and side-opening styles.

Synonyms

• diaper cover (Canada and United States)
• diaper wrap (Canada and United States)
• nappy cover (UK and Commonwealth)
• nappy wrap (UK and Commonwealth)
• pilchers (Australia and New Zealand)
• waterproof pants

Coordinate terms

• plastic panties (rare)