Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[lll888]

Hello,

I read the following in a book, can anyone tell me what "knickerbocker glory" means?

"They ate in the zoo restaurant, and when Dudley had a tantrum because his knickerbocker glory didn't have enough ice cream on top, Uncle Vernon bought him another one and Harry was allowed to finish the first."

Thanks.

[bud]

I don't know exactly what knickerbocker means, but I think it was used mainly in the New York City area many decades ago. It may have referred to a certain style of clothes, or it may have referred to a particular group of immigrants... In your sentence, it sounds like a "knickerbocker glory" was some kind of treat at a particular restaurant or snack stand.

Have you ever heard of the pro basketball team The New York Knicks? "Knicks" is actually the short verion of "knickerbockers." You rarley will hear or see anyone use their complete name, though.

[lll888]

Thank you for the explanation.

That sentence was from a Harry Potter book, so I believe it's more of British english?

I looked up the word "knickerbocker", which refers to some type of pants, but just didn't know what the actual meaning here in the sentence.

[bud]

Oh, ok... But I think "knickerbocker glory" must be some kind of treat because of the phrase, "didn't have enough ice cream on top."