Briefs

This article is about underwear. For the Seattle band, see The Briefs

A pair of men's briefs

Briefs are a type of 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 user'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.

History

A man in briefs

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. 30,000 pairs were sold within three months of their introduction.

In 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", even though the fly opening may differ in style and not actually form the shape of the letter "Y".

Man in boxer briefs (trunks style)

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.

Briefs in popular culture

"Tighty whities" is a common American nickname for briefs. The term originally was derogatory in nature and was coined by wearers of boxer shorts to make fun of those who wore briefs, although the name has become mainstream and is usually accepted as the name of briefs. White is the most common color but they also come in many different colors and patterns.

Superheroes often feature briefs (worn as outerwear) as part of their attire (cf Underoos). Left to right: Superman, Batman. Art by Alex Ross.

In the 1990s, briefs were seen as uncool, especially among teenagers. In cartoons, usually the victims of wedgies wore "tighty whities."
The animated cartoon character Homer Simpson is often depicted sitting on his couch in his briefs drinking a can of 'Duff Beer'.
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.
During a July 1997 issue of the comic strip Motley's Crew, Mike Motley is shaking the hand of his brother-in-law Abel while wearing a used three-piece tuxedo with a pair of white briefs sticking out of his formal trousers while his wife Mabel is watching.
"Jockey Briefs" are recognized with an entry (Page 52) in Quintessences: the Quality of Having It (New York: Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, 1983).

In recent years, there has been a renewed popularity in briefs:

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.
In the 2002 teen film, The New Guy, Dizzy Gillespie Harrison (the main character) is seen tied to a chair with a pair of white briefs on top of his head.
On May 3, 2003, Ashton Kutcher delivered his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live in a pair of briefs.
On June 11, 2004, English football captain David Beckham was photographed by a paparazzo while standing on the balcony of a Lisbon hotel wearing nothing but a pair of briefs.

In the show Malcolm in the Middle Hal is arrested wearing a shirt and a pair of briefs.
In competitive swimwear, competition briefs, or speedos as they are commonly called, are a popular style of bathing suits.

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