What does falsie mean?
A falsie is a pad worn inside a garment—most commonly inside a brassiere—to make the breasts appear larger or fuller. The word is almost always heard in the plural form 'falsies' and belongs to an informal register, carrying a mildly humorous, mid-twentieth-century flavour that can seem dated today; in medical or professional settings, terms like 'breast prosthesis' are preferred instead. Beyond its original sense, the word has been applied loosely to other padding used to reshape the figure, such as shoulder inserts in tailoring. Derived from the adjective 'false', it reflects a straightforward linguistic habit: naming an artificial substitute after what it imitates. While everyday use has declined with advances in lingerie design, the term survives in historical writing, costume work, and casual speech, making it a useful word for anyone reading fiction or social commentary from the era when it was a fixture of daily vocabulary.
nounA false breast pad worn inside a brassiere to make the breasts appear larger or fuller; used chiefly in the plural 'falsies'. By extension, any padded insert used to enhance the shape of the body.
- A pad inserted in a bra to make the breasts look larger or fuller.
- Any similar padding used to enhance another part of the figure, such as the shoulders or hips.
"She slipped a pair of falsies into her bra before slipping on the evening gown."
"After the mastectomy she was fitted for prostheses, though at first she simply wore falsies."
"The costume department sewed falsies into the shoulders of the actor's 1940s suit jacket."
The plural is by far the standard form, since the pads are typically worn as a pair; the singular 'falsie' is uncommon.
"Vintage sewing guides often included patterns for making your own falsies at home."
The cheekily named 'falsies' prove that fashion's oldest tricks were hiding in women's undergarments long before push-up bras hit the shelves.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of falsie
Falsie is formed from the adjective 'false', which derives from Old French 'fals' (from Latin 'falsus', meaning feigned or deceptive). The diminutive suffix '-ie' gives the word its colloquial, affectionate character, following a pattern seen in words like 'nightie' and 'undies'. The term arose in English in the early twentieth century as padded bra inserts became fashionable, and it has always been primarily an informal word.
Related word forms
How falsie is actually used
Informal and somewhat dated in tone; the term can sound quaint or slightly comic to modern ears and is generally avoided in formal or medical contexts, where terms like 'breast prosthesis' are preferred. Almost always encountered in the plural.
Easily confused with falsie
'Falsie' is an informal noun for a padded insert worn in clothing, while 'fallacy' is a mistaken belief or flawed argument.