Possible Clues:

• Knickerbockers
• Useless (slang) — gasps
• Alteration candidate
• Different kinds of them are split (but not in an embarrassing way) in the four starred answers
• Underwear less than desirable
• Acts like a hot dog
• God starts to try swimming and gasps for breath
• Jacket's mate
• Symbol of authority
• Longs to get trousers