civvyn.adj.
/ˈsɪvi/, U.S. /ˈsɪvi/ Services' slang.
A. n.
a. = civilian n. 4b.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > peace > civilian life > [noun] > a civilian
gownsman1612
citizena1616
mohair1785
civilian1794
pékin1827
cit1833
mufti1833
non-militant1840
civvy1915
shore-loafer1916
1915 W. H. L. Watson Adv. Despatch Rider ii. 23 In the course of my riding that day I knocked down ‘a civvy’ in Dour.
1927 E. Thompson These Men thy Friends 82 Any civvy who has had the honour of being associated with them.
b. plural. Civilian clothes, mufti.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific purpose > civilian
coloured clothesa1753
mufti1816
plain clothes1822
cit1835
plebeskin1888
civvies1889
1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Civvies (army), a suit of civvies, i.e. civilian's clothes.
1915 ‘Bartimeus’ Tall Ship v. 100 Nosey wore a rusty suit of ‘civvies’.
1946 Daily Tel. 15 May 1 Young men exchange their uniforms for ‘civvies’.
B. adj.
= civilian adj. civvy street: civilian life.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > peace > civilian life > [adjective]
civil1541
unmilitary1713
non-military1738
civilian1817
bowler-hatted1909
civvy1915
society > armed hostility > peace > civilian life > [noun]
civvy street1943
1915 ‘Bartimeus’ Tall Ship v. 101 He still wore his ‘civvy’ suit.
1919 Punch 15 Jan. 38 ‘And I suppose you will be demobilised?’.. ‘Oh, no, Mum. You see, I was a soldier in civvy life.’
1943 Penguin New Writing 17 18 When I get back to civvy street I'll never moan about my job again.
1945 Daily Express 19 Apr. Civvy cigarettes are dearer now.
1959 J. Braine Vodi viii. 119 Dick was in splendid shape, sampling every delight Civvy Street had to offer.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1889