Interesting terminology from: "A treatise on the law of surveying and boundaries" by Frank Emerson Clark
Found at: http://books/google.com
I think that is one of those cases where a modern scanner is used on old text and it changes the words to something that looks similar in print. I'm nearly certain that the advice was for the surveyor to "keep his shorts clean".
Aye, laddie. And he might be a wee bit of a Scottsman, too!B-)
I just cleared my skirt:-P
Maybe this expression is related sharing a common origin to a now obscure use of "skirt."
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/clean-your-skirts.asp
> Interesting terminology from: "A treatise on the law of surveying and boundaries" by Frank Emerson Clark
I don't know where the phrase comes from, or exactly what it refers to, but it is used by at least one witness in the old Perry Mason television show, in much the same context. When Perry catches the witness out on a lie he (the witness) replies "well, you can't blame a fellow for wanting to keep his skirts clear".