gird up the loins

A common phrase meaning to prepare oneself for action: "And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah: and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab." (1 Kings 46)
Gird, from the Old English gyrdan, means to fasten or encircle, usually with a belt.

In five easy steps:

1. Hoist up one's tunic so that all the fabric is above one's knees.


2. Gather all the extra fabric to the front, so that the back of the tunic is snug against one's backside.


3. Once the excess fabric is gathered in front, pull it underneath and between one's legs to one's rear. This will feel much like a diaper.


4. With half of the fabric in each hand, bring it (and one's hands) back around to the front across one's waist, or at least above the hips for less slippage.


5. Finally, tie the two handfuls of fabric together in one's knot of preference, thus making one more mobile for both battle and/or hard labor (or, if I may be so bold, the current year's edition of the E2 Iron Noder Quests).