Highwaters are a term for pants that do not extend to the normal length (the ankles). These pants may be too short to reach, or may simply be rolled or pushed up. The pants are refered to as highwaters because it appears that the person is attempting to walk through standing water without their pants getting wet. I learned this term through my contact with my many relatives from Alabama and Georgia.

I had originally said, "I don't know if this term is common outside the Southern United States or not."

But thanks to a note from DejaMorgana, the obvious has been brought to my attention. Floods happen in the midwest, thus this term is most likely common. I apologize for the oversight and blatant stupidity.

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