Etymology From Middle English garter, from Old Northern French gartier, from Old French garet (compare Old French jartier, from jaret), from Gaulish *garrā, from Proto-Celtic *garros (“calf, shank”) (compare Cornish gar, Cornish gar,Middle Welsh garr, Old Irish gairr). Cognate with French jarretière.
1
A band worn around the leg to hold up a sock or stocking.
Philippines An elastic band encircling any article of clothing.
4
Obsolete One of a set of tapes stretched out horizontally for acrobats and equestrians to leap over as part of a circus act or display of skill.
GRAND TRAMPOLINE, by Mr KING, (from Astley's Amphitheatre, London) who will introduce a great variety of leaps. Somerset 1 - Somerset in the Air - while in that position lie will fire two pistols. Somerset 2 - Over garters 12 feet high.1842 November 11, The Hobart Town Advertiser, Tasmania, page 3, column 6:
Mrs. Ashton will then make her entree in a beautiful act of equestrianism, entitled "The Mountain Maid," on a rapid courser, taking an aerial flight through hoops, and over garters, &c.1851 December 25, The Empire, Sydney, page 2, column 2:
2 more examples
Madame HENRIQUES, the greatest Female Rider of the present day over Garters, Banners, through Hoops, Balloons, &c., &c, will appear every evening in her great unrivalled principal act.1864 December 12, The South Australian Register, Adelaide, page 1, column 5:
Over men and horses, hoops and garters, Lastly through a hogshead of real fire. In this way, Mr. K. will challenge the world.1967, “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”, in John Lennon (lyrics), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, performed by The Beatles:
Etymology From Middle English garter, from Old Northern French gartier, from Old French garet (compare Old French jartier, from jaret), from Gaulish *garrā, from Proto-Celtic *garros (“calf, shank”) (compare Cornish gar, Cornish gar,Middle Welsh garr, Old Irish gairr). Cognate with French jarretière.
1
to fasten with a garter
2
To wear a garter
Lady Hester loathed the coarse, deluded and lecherous Princess Caroline, who showed off to Smith by 'dancing about, exposing herself, like an opera girl', and even gartering below the knee:2011, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Jerusalem: The Biography – A History of the Middle East, page 385: