Going commando

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For the video game, see Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando.

Going commando (or to go commando) is the act of not wearing underwear under one's outer clothing.

1 Scope and synonyms
2 Earliest uses
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Scope and synonyms

In American slang, this phenomenon is also referred to as freeballing (in the case of men not wearing underwear) and freebuffing (in the case of women).

Many people go commando strictly for comfort, feeling that underwear is unnecessarily restrictive and tight, or just preferring greater mobility for the genitalia. However, in many cases there is a recognisable sexual element to the behavior.

Going without underwear is said to have certain benefits. Dr. Caroline F. Pukall of Queens University states that going without underwear while sleeping can have significant benefits to the vulva.^[1] It is also said that tight underwear decreases sperm count in men, and it is recommended to wear more loose fitting clothing around the genitals. ^[2] These articles do confirm the belief that underwear can cause significant problems, which reaffirms the views of those who practice going commando.

Going commando appears to be an increasingly popular practice. A 2004 study of 7,000 people by the New York-based clothier Freshpair revealed that 9% of men and 7% of women go commando day-to-day. Those who do so semiregularly are much more numerous, possibly around 25-30%, and most people have tried it at some point.

In the United Kingdom, the adverbial use of "commando" is a relatively recent phenomenon but increasingly common. The phrase and phenomenon is often used in a declaratory way ("I'm goin' commando!"), particularly by young women to covertly create a frisson of sexual excitement or amusement amongst friends, sexual partners, etc. Modern British social mores generally recognise "going commando" as a "playful" behaviour (akin to a mild form of exhibitionism), and one that does not necessarily demonstrate an overtly sexual intent.

Notably, in Chile the act of not wearing underwear has been called "andar a lo gringo" ("go about as the Americans") for decades. ^[3]^{[verification needed]}

[edit] 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".

"Going commando" may also come from the mistaken idea that "commandos" go into an area "without cover."

The origin of the term "going commando" may connect to the tradition in military units of Scottish heritage to not wear underwear under their kilts. The first Commando units were raised and trained in Scotland in WW2 (which is where the present-day Commando Monument is). It is said that Scottish soldiers once used the expression "regimental," to describe the state of wearing no shorts under a kilt; allegedly, Scottish drill instructors carried a long stick with a mirror on the end to verify that soldiers were properly regimental. The movie Braveheart implies that this custom is very old. William Wallace's army clearly wore nothing under their belted plaids. or great kilts, centuries before the now-familiar small kilt was developed. (See the History of the kilt article.)

[edit] See also

Upskirt

[edit] References

^ Pulkall, Carolyn F, PhD. Vulvar Health Hints. article. Queen's University. Retrieved on December 23, 2006.
^ Infertility. article. United States Federal Government. Retrieved on December 23, 2006.
^ Juran que a Jennifer López le gusta andar a lo gringo: Sin chitecos. column. La Cuarta (December 11, 2006). Retrieved on January 13, 2007.
^ Engber, Daniel (January 10, 2005). Do Commandos Go Commando?. column. Slate Magazine. Retrieved on December 23, 2006.