Briefs
- For other uses of Brief(s), see Brief
Briefs are a type of short, tight Y-shaped underwear and swimwear, as opposed to styles where the material extends down the legs.
In the case of men's underwear, briefs, unlike boxer shorts, hold the wearer's genitals in a relatively fixed position, which makes briefs a popular underwear choice for men who are participating in athletic activities or who feel they need more support than loose-fitting underwear can provide. In addition, boxers often ride up the body when the wearer is running.
History
Briefs were first sold on 19 January 1935 by Coopers Inc., in Chicago, Illinois. They dubbed the new undergarment the "Jockey" because it offered a similar degree of support as the jockstrap (one style of which is also called Jock brief or Support briefs). Thirty-thousand pairs were sold within three months of their introduction. In North America, "Jockey shorts" or "Jockeys" is often used as a generic term for men's briefs.
In Great Britain, briefs were first sold in 1938. Soon, shops were selling 3,000 briefs per week. They were so popular that in 1948 every member of the British Olympic team was given a free pair of briefs.
In Britain the term "jockeys" has not caught on, and briefs are often referred to as "Y-fronts". The term derives from the inverted Y-shape formed by the seams at the front of the underpants which allows easy access to the penis for urination etc. The colloquialism is used even when the fly opening may differ in style, and not actually form the shape of the inverted letter "Y" fly on Cooper Jockey brand briefs.
They are also sometimes described as conduit briefs.
In Australia, briefs are often referred to as "jocks", but should not be confused with jockstraps (more specifically used by athletes) which expose the buttocks.
In recent years, a hybrid called boxer briefs has become popular. Like boxers, they have short legs, but like briefs, they are made of elastic, snug-fitting material.
According to recent polls done in several English speaking countries, more men wear briefs than boxers.[citation needed] Sales of briefs increased dramatically from 2002 and onwards.[citation needed] The fact that they are available in different colors and cuts may be a factor in their renewed popularity.
Briefs in popular culture
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"Tighty-whities," or "Whitey-tighties," is a common American nickname for briefs. The name has entered the mainstream and is usually accepted as the name of briefs; the term is often derogatory in nature. In the 1990s, briefs were seen as uncool, especially among U.S. teenagers.[citation needed]
In competitive swimwear, competition briefs, or speedos as they are commonly called, are a popular style of bathing suits.
- "Jockey Briefs" are recognized with an entry (Page 52) in Quintessences: the Quality of Having It (New York: Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, 1983).
- Since 1998, there has been an annual Underpants Run as part of the Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.
- Robert John Burck, also known as the "Naked Cowboy", is a musician who plays in Times Square (Manhattan, New York City) clad only in his briefs, boots and a cowboy hat.
- In 2002, columnist Dan Savage held a "Tighty Whities Are Hot" contest.
- On May 3, 2003, Ashton Kutcher delivered his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live in a pair of briefs.
- A popular children's book series features Captain Underpants, a chubby super-hero who wears only white briefs and a red cape with black polka dots.
- Bass player Flea of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers often appears on stage wearing only white briefs.
Television shows
- The animated cartoon character Homer Simpson is often portrayed sitting on his couch in his briefs drinking a can of 'Duff Beer'. Son Bart Simpson and most of his classmates also wear briefs.
- The characters Peter and Chris Griffin on the show Family Guy have both been depicted wearing white briefs.
- In the series Beavis and Butt-head, both Beavis and Butt-head wear briefs, along with most of the other characters on the series.
- On the PBS cartoon series Arthur, Arthur sees Binky split his pants during class while working on a math problem. Arthur makes fun of him, until he has dreams that his friends see him in his briefs. He then fears he will be seen in public without his pants. His worst fears finally come true when he shreds his pants in the cafeteria, exposing his briefs. Then, the dreams cease.
- In the Paul Whitehouse sitcom Happiness, the protagonist works as a voiceover artist for Dexter, an animated kung-fu nurse bear whose principal attire is a capacious pair of Y-fronts.
- In the tv show "Green Wing" Alan Statham is often seen wearing white briefs whilst he plays his recorder.
Comic strips
- In the comic strips Bloom County and Outland, cartoonist Berkeley Breathed often drew his characters Opus the Penguin and Bill the Cat sitting on a couch wearing briefs while discussing their anxieties.
- In The Guardian, Steve Bell used to draw John Major wearing briefs.
Movies and films
- Perhaps the most famous scene in a movie involving briefs is in "Risky Business", where Tom Cruise dances in Fruit of the Loom briefs to the song "Old Time Rock and Roll".
Other languages
In various continental European languages, such as Bulgarian, Dutch, French, German, Polish and Spanish, briefs are not called by a word indicating shortness, but rather by the English word slip, which in English is rather used for a type of lingerie, the slip (clothing). However, in Canadian French, the word caleçon is used instead of the International French word slip.