Going commando (or to go commando or "free balling") is the practice of not wearing underwear under one's outer clothing.
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Scope and synonyms
"Going commando" started with commando and similar special forces military units, when some soldiers stopped wearing underwear to prevent chafing.[citation needed]
Going without underwear is said to have certain benefits. Dr. Caroline F. Pukall of Queen's University states that going without underwear while sleeping can have significant benefits to the vulva.[1]
Possibly from the much earlier term "going regimental", which refers to wearing the kilt military style, or without underwear (also 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] In Costa Rica, this act is known as "andar strike" (to go strike). The term has recently regained popularity after its use on the television series, Friends, when one of the main characters states he would not "go commando" in a rented tuxedo.
Earliest uses
Slate's Daniel Engber dates the modern usage to 1974 college campuses, where it was perhaps an outgrowth of the Vietnam War.[4] The origins of the phrase are uncertain, with some speculating that it may refer to being "out in the open" or "ready for action". According to Engber many soldiers do go without underwear to "increase ventilation and reduce moisture." The earliest known use of the term in print is 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".
See also
References
- ^ Pulkall, Carolyn F., Ph.D. "Vulvar Health Hints". Queen's University. http://psyc.queensu.ca/faculty/pukall/advice.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
- ^ "Juran que a Jennifer López le gusta andar a lo gringo: Sin chitecos". La Cuarta. December 11, 2006. http://www.lacuarta.cl/diario/2006/12/11/11.31.4a.ESP.JURAN.html. 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. http://slate.com/id/2112100/. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
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