go commando
photo credit: "8th Commando Kandak RPG and heavy weapons training [Image 4 of 9]" by DVIDSHUB (CC-BY-2.0) Definition: (verb phrase) to not wear underwear
Example: When the 2008 presidential hopefuls were asked whether they wore boxers or briefs, Senator Wrigley shocked reporters by revealing that he went commando.
Quote:
“That my father is going commando is not something I want to know.”
While looking through the SlangCity archives, I noticed that I write a newsletter related to underwear about once a year, most recently whale tail (2006) and wife beater (2005) so here’s my entry for 2007.
The etymology of go commando is sketchy, though most sources assume it has something to do with actual commandos not wearing underwear. The question is largely whether that’s for comfort, health or expediency in getting dressed when you’re rushing off to some exciting raid on a village.
Though it appears in few slang dictionaries, it is not brand new. In 1994, Joey on the television comedy Friends explains that to wear a rented tux, he will have to put on some underwear because, “I'm not gonna go commando in another man's fatigues.” However, the phrase may not be used by the commandos who inspired it; it doesn’t appear in William Priest’s 2000 reference to military slang, Swear Like a Trooper.
A. C. Kemp | May 10, 2007
