subs. phr. (old).—A mode in trousers in the sixties: they were cut bell-bottomed shape over the shoes. Fashion travels slowly, and Morris in Austral-English says they are still affected by the LARRIKIN (q.v.).
1891. Argus, 5 Dec. 13, 2. “Can it be that the pernicious influence of the House is gradually tingeing the high priests of the BELL BOTTOMED ballottee with conservatism!”
