Best clothes. ‘Lanc. Glossary,’ 1875 (N.E.D.). Apparently of American origin.
1822. It is not in the evenings only that they are to be encountered in “the best bib and tucker.”—Mass. Spy, Feb. 27: from the National Gazette.
1833. Both girls and boys had on their best bib and tucker.—‘Sketches of D. Crockett,’ pp. 37–8 (N.Y.).
1837. The fair Bruces were flaunting in their best bibs and tuckers.—R. M. Bird, ‘Nick of the Woods,’ i. 33 (Lond.).
