Re the growing use of the phase "put your big girl panties on". Who originated it?

[astro]

I’ve noticed in some articles over the past year or so that the use of the phrase “put your big girl panties on” as in “You need to put on your big girl panties, and deal with it” or “I can handle it, I’m wearing my big girl panties” is growing in popular use.

Where did this phrase originate? I’m just hearing it regularly in the last year or so I’m guessing it can’t be too old.

It’s also a bumper sticker now.

It’s also a 2007 book, but I’m guessing she swiped the phrase from elsewhere.

In the news

Perino recalls Snow telling her last week, before the cancer diagnosis, that he would be out for three weeks after surgery, adding: “Dana, you are going to find talents you never knew you had.”

“Tony, I hope I can find 15 outfits,” she replied. Now she may need a few more.

Perino has been flooded with calls of support, including one, she says, from Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, who told her: “Put your big-girl panties on.”

Reporters say Perino was fairly green when she joined the White House press office staff in 2005, but now give her high marks.

Emily West had to wait four years for her first record to come out. It was a struggle that she has worked to overcome.

“I was really struggling to find what songs I was going to put on this 10-song record,” West said. “I was really, really frustrated. I was extremely worried if I was even going to have a record out. I was at my mom’s house balling to her. Mom, my record’s never going to come out. She was like ‘Well, you better put your big girl panties on and deal with it because music is just tough.’

[bibliophage]

The earliest I can trace it back is December 2003. From the Wilmington, N.C. Star - News; Dec 26, 2003; p. 6D; “Locals give tips for best gardening in '04” by Susan Hart

I am forever dealing with impatient, frustrated people like myself who want to make it perfect, and here’s how respond: I repeat two little phrases I used (and still use) with my daughter: "Don’t say ‘I can’t,’ say ‘I haven’t done it yet,’ and ‘Just put your big girl panties on and deal with it.’ - Chris Lindley, landscape designer, via e-mail.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

I remember seeing T-shirts with that phrase mebbe three-four years ago. I assumed some (feminist?) marketing staff writer came up with it.

[samclem]

My stupid computer still has a residual virus, which is restricting my ability to read and post, but I can contribute something.

The phrase “big girl panties” is found in newspapers from as early as 1977! Not common, but there. And again in 1982, then the 1990s.

And, get this, the earliest cites are from letters to Santa Claus!

example(1977): …please bring me baby that away, big girl panties, cookie monster etc.

Now, this letter was written by the mom, as the girl was 2. But, it was there.

example(1982): …I would like a doll that says MaMa, some big girl panties, and anything else you think I’d like…

[Hello_Again]

Um, yeah, its a reference to toilet training. You can have “big girl panties” when you don’t need diapers any more. For some kids, the allure of big girl panties is enough to get them on board with the process.

From there, it was just an ironic reference to “being a grown up.” There is generally an implication that some other person involved in the situation is being childish.

[bufftabby]

I was under the impression that the recent popularity of the phrase came from the OP’s cited use by Margaret Spellings (the speaker at my college graduation!) to Dana Perino. I can’t find a cite for this, though.

[WhyNot]

@samclem

The phrase “big girl panties” is found in newspapers from as early as 1977!

Yes, but these are all literal references. Panties (that is, underwear) made for big girls (that is, the toilet trained). It’s been a phrase used by moms for, like, ever.

The OP is asking when it became used figuratively - meaning, “take responsibility for yourself.” It’s easy to see how the literal meaning could be applied figuratively, but who did that first?