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Going commando - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Going commando
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the video game, see
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando.
Going commando is the practice of not wearing
underwear under one's outer clothing. The term is theorised to be related to the much earlier term "going regimental", which refers to wearing the 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.
[1][2]
Contents
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[edit] Earliest uses
The origins of the phrase 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."
[3] 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."
[4]
[edit] Benefits
Going without underwear is said to have certain benefits. Caroline F. Pukall of
Queen's University states that going without underwear while sleeping can have significant benefits to the
vulva. Going commando also reduces the humidity and temperature around the pelvis. This brings this area of the body to a more natural state, which some people prefer.
[5]
Benefits often cited for men include allowing the
testicles to more freely move closer to (for warmth) and away from the body (to cool down), allowing them to remain at a more constant and healthy temperature. For some with sensitive skin,
penile irritation can result from highly restrictive underwear, exacerbated by
erections. (On the other hand, if the outer clothing is somewhat rough or abrasive, this can cause similarly undesirable results.)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Juran que a Jennifer López le gusta andar a lo gringo: Sin chitecos". La Cuarta. December 11, 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
- ^ Brennan, John. "How to Survive the Chilean Jungle" (2nd ed.). Santiago, Chile: 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; 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.""
- ^ Pulkall, Carolyn F., Ph.D. "Vulvar Health Hints". Queen's University. Retrieved 2006-12-23.