Today's word is:
Sansculottic [sans-kyoo'lot'ik]
adjective
Definition
1. Without knee-breeches, usually explained as one wearing trousers instead of knee-breeches, which was a sign of poorer classes.
2. In the French Revolution, a republican of the poorer classes in Paris. An extreme republican or revolutionary.
3. Without breeches, unbreeched; hence, inadequately or improperly clothed.
Etymology
From French sans + culotte (without knee-breeches). So, sansculotte + ic
First seen
1822 C. Butler Remin. xv. 211
The reader probably remembers the sans-culottic exhibitions, equally ridiculous and disgusting, of the Goddess of Reason.
Usage
It's a constant source of frustration for the managers of my workplace, who regularly ask their sansculottic staff to dress more appropriately for a place of business. We're not asking for full suits and blouses, but we'd kinda like it if the guys could wear something more appropriate than board-shorts and t-shirts, and if the girls would stop wearing oversized shirts over leggings!
