- midriff
- O.E. midhrif, from mid "mid" + hrif "belly," from P.Gmc. *hrefiz- (cf. O.H.G. href, O.Fris. hrif "belly"), from PIE *kwrep- "body, form, appearance" (see corporeal). More or less obsolete after 18c. except in phrase to tickle (one's) midriff "to cause laughter," the word revived 1941 in fashion usage for "portion of a woman's garment that covers the belly, as a euphemistic avoidance of belly, extended 1970 to a belly-baring style of women's top.