Dutchman's pants

Posted by I. Skuja on June 30, 2010 at 20:16

In Reply to: Dutchman's pants posted by I. Skuja on June 30, 2010 at 20:16:

: In the book "Trekka", written by a fellow about his adventures when he attempted to sail around the world, he says "the sky had a blue hole in it that was as big as a Dutchman's pants"

: We are trying to figure out if he means it was a Big hole? or a Small hole?

: In your listing under "Dutchman's Breeches", one of the descriptions refers to a flower that is not round but jagged around the edges. That would explain it nicely if he was talking about the shape, but we have been assuming he was talking about the size of the hole not the shape.

In trying to figure it out, I wonder, could it mean that the underwear that Dutchmen wore was commonly blue colored, and could be seen if there was a hole in the outer pants? or could it mean "blue" in the sense of improper or naughty i.e. the hole would reveal something indecent? But if that were the case, wouldn't the expression be " A Blue Hole as big as IN a Dutchman's Pants" Thanks for your help.

• Dutchman's pants Victoria S Dennis 01/July/10