Origin of the phrase 'pull your socks up'

[chrispr]

Hello,

What is the origin of this phrase?

Thanks

[Quizmonster]

I'd guess it originated in mothers telling their schoolboy sons to do precisely that. Back in the 1940s/50s for certain and probably for some decades prior to that, schoolboys generally wore knee-length socks as part of their 'uniform' as well as caps. It was very common for the socks to dangle untidily if the lad forgot to put on the rubber bands/garters necessary to hold them up. Accordingly, mums would shout, "Pull your socks up!"
Now, of course, it can be applied to anyone whose performance is not up to scratch in any way whatever, not just tidiness.

[Quizmonster]

I should have added above that boys then wore short trousers until about the age of twelve. As a result, unlike nowadays, the floppy socks could be seen!