Going commando
Going commando, or free-balling, male, freebuffing, female,[1] the practice of not wearing underwear. The term may be related to the much earlier term "going regimental", which refers to wearing a kilt military-style, that is, without underwear (see True Scotsman.)
In Chile, the act of not wearing underwear has been called "andar a lo gringo" (to go gringo-style) for decades.[2][3]
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Earliest uses [edit]
The origins of the phrase "go commando" are uncertain, with some speculating that it may refer to being "out in the open" or "ready for action". Slate magazine's Daniel Engber dates the modern usage to college campuses circa 1974, where it was perhaps associated with soldiers in the Vietnam War, who were reputed to go without underwear to "increase ventilation and reduce moisture."[4] The earliest known use of the term in print occurred on January 22, 1985 when Jim Spencer wrote in the Chicago Tribune "Furthermore, colored briefs are 'sleazy' and going without underwear ('going commando', as they say on campus) is simply gross." A 1996 episode of the television sitcom Friends, "The One Where No One's Ready", has been credited with introducing the term "into the popular vernacular".[5]
In fashion [edit]
- From the late 2000s onwards, certain types of women's clothing were often worn without panties: leggings or jeggings,[6][7] tights, and ultra lowrise jeans.[8] Normally, a long blouse or skirt is worn over the tights or leggings to prevent exposure.
- At formal events during the 2010s, some women in tight fitting, semi-transparent dresses go without underwear to avoid visible panty lines.[9][10]
- In India, it is normal for women to wear traditional clothing like the saree and lehenga without panties in order to keep cool in the heat.
In popular culture [edit]
- Freebuffing is featured in many exploitation movies, especially during the 1980s. Examples include Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, Sissy Spacek in Prime Cut,[11] Vonetta McGee in The Great Silence, Cassandra Delaney in Fair Game,[12] Lori Petty in Point Break,[13] Angie Dickinson in Dressed to Kill,[14] and Pia Zadora in Butterfly.[15]
- Celebrities who routinely go commando include Britney Spears, Nigella Lawson,[16] Paz De La Huerta,[17][18] Christina Aguliera, Paris Hilton, and Anne Hathaway.[19]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Donald, Graeme (2008), Sticklers, Sideburns and Bikinis: The military origins of everyday words and phrases, Osprey Publishing, p. 94, ISBN 9781846033001, retrieved October 19, 2012
- ^ "Juran que a Jennifer López le gusta andar a lo gringo: Sin chitecos". La Cuarta (in Spanish). December 11, 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
- ^ Brennan, John; Taboada, Alvaro. How to Survive the Chilean Jungle (2nd ed.). Santiago, CL: Dolmen Ediciones.
- ^ Engber, Daniel (January 10, 2005). "Do Commandos Go Commando?". Slate. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
- ^ Heller, Jason; Koski, Genevieve; Murray, Noel; O'Neal, Sean; Pierce, Leonard; Tobias, Scott; VanDerWerff, Todd; Zulkey, Claire (June 21, 2010), TV in a bottle: 19 great TV episodes largely confined to one location, AV Club, retrieved June 21, 2010, "[T]he episode also introduced the term 'going commando' into the popular vernacular."
- ^ Kelly Brook wearing leggings
- ^ Paula Patton in workout pants
- ^ Coco Austin
- ^ Stephanie Seymour
- ^ Kendra Wilkinson
- ^ Prime Cut
- ^ Fair Game
- ^ Point break
- ^ Dressed to Kill
- ^ Butterfly
- ^ 50 Nigella facts
- ^ Paz wearing sheer dress
- ^ Paz undresses in car park
- ^ Anne Hathaway
