BRIEFS
October 25, 2025 - 8:43 am
BRIEFS
Brevity is said to be soul of wit. In the world of undergarments the same meaning is carried over to mean a short and not a long garment worn under the exterior clothes. The brief is fitting underwear for men that is short and are not long tights that extend down to the ankles. Generally the brief is referred to men’s underwear meant to cover his genitals and keep these in a comfortable fixed position. In everyday wear it is as useful as in the field of sports. Wearing it is essential to avoid injury and long-term harm.
Men’s briefs were first sold on 19th January 1935 at Chicago. Coopers Inc marketed these. The new introduction came to be named ‘Jockey’ because of its similarity to jock-strap or jock-brief. Within three months 30,000 pairs were sold. In North America the terms ‘brief’ and ‘jockey’ are synonymous. The Americans nickname briefs as tighty-whities or whitey-tighties. This tight factor has led to a fall in its enthusiastic support since 1990’s especially among the teens. The brief is a common name in swimming wear and is also known as speedos.
In Britain the item came late by three years – 1938. The response was tremendous with 3,000 pieces being sold every week. In 1948 each member of the Olympic team of Britain was given a free pair. In Britain the name ‘jockey’ is not in use but another given name for it on the island is ‘Y fronts’. The inverted Y shape at the front of these underpants allows the size to adjust to the specifications of the individual’s genitals. The position of the fly may differ from style to style.
Conduit- briefs are another name for these items. In Australia these are ‘jocks’ but should not be mixed up with ‘jockstraps’ worn by sportsmen where the buttocks are exposed. Recently a new type of hybrid has hit the popular shelves known as boxer briefs. Like the boxer variety these have short legs but like other briefs are made of snug fitting elastic material.
Recently a poll was conducted. More men in English speaking countries wear briefs rather than boxers. From 2002 the introduction of colour and different cuts has led to a phenomenal rise in sales.
Briefs have come to stay and have become part of modern culture. From 1998 in Hawaii (Ironman Triathlon) there has been an annual sports event known as the Underpants Run. ‘JockeyBriefs” have found a prominent place in “Quintessences: the Quality of Having It” published by Black Dog and Leventhal, New York. A musician, Robert John Burck, nicknamed as Naked Cowboy plays in Manhattan Times Square wearing boots, cowboy hat and only a pair of briefs! Journalist Dan Savage held in 2002 a contest – ‘Tighty Whities are Hot’. Ashton Kutcher on 3rd May 2003 gave his opening lecture on Saturday Night Live wearing nothing but a pair of briefs. In ‘Green Wing’ television show, Alan Statham sometimes wears white briefs while playing his recorder. In movies the most notable scene centering on briefs is ‘Risky Business’, starring Tom Cruise.
A poplar children’s character in a book series is Captain Underpants. He is a round-cheeked hero wearing briefs and a red cape decorated with black polka dots. Flea, the bass player of Red Hot Chili Peppers appears on stage flaunting a pair of briefs.
Rocko the cartoon character of USA flits across the screen in briefs. In ‘Seat to Stardom’ he acts as an underwear model. Homer Simpson is another such brief addict sitting on his couch drinking beer. Peter and Chris Griffin both wear briefs on the Family Guy show; so do Beavis and Butt-head, Spongebob and Arthur (PBS cartoon). In another animated series a kung fu bear pads around in a generous pair of Y-fronts.
Comic characters are not left behind. Berkeley Breathed drew his Opus the Penguin and Bill the Cat wearing briefs while sitting and exchanging their problems. Steve Bell of The Guardian drew John Major in briefs!
There are special briefs for patients in hospitals. It is made from waterproof material and of the unisex kind. It is disposable, loose and comfortable. In cases of hernia there are briefs with adjustable bands gives the right amount of support. There are foam pads to protect the hernia spots.
Briefs are becoming more complicated in design and price ranging. Cotton is the favourite material with 5% of spandex (elastic). It keeps the manhood of man looking great as well as feeling good.
By aggressive marketing briefs have penetrated the Indian and Asian markets. Together with its introduction into the tropical humid climate of these regions has come an innumerable skin disease; which again is good news for the pharmaceutical giants. India was not indifferent or casual to the problem of holding male genitals in place but the approach was the wearing of langots. These are long bands worn tightly around and below the waist, keeping the buttocks open. Easy to wash and dry these are ideally suited for the local conditions. However it continues to hold its place considering the advantages and simplicity.
In brief the story of briefs is that of complicated fashions and designs, backed by long price tags hitting the shop shelves while the exposure of flesh becomes more and more brief!
