E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Petticoat and Gown.
The dress. When the gown was looped up, the petticoat was an important item of dress.
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The poppy is said to have a red petticoat and a green gown; the daffodil, a yellow petticoat and green gown; a candle, a white petticoat; and so on in our common nursery rhymes—
