"Hypothetical" question

[triskellian]

If one had to refer in an academic essay to the article of women's underwear which traditionally covers the bottom, how would one do so? I'm inclined towards 'knickers', but it doesn't sound very serious :-(

Time for a poll...

Poll The naming of pants

Comments

[venta]

There's something about the term "panties" that pisses me off quite irrationally. I've no idea why.

[white_hart]

Me too. I think it's because it sounds like it's supposed to be 'cute'. I always think it comes across as hugely patronising.

[bateleur]

I always think it comes across as hugely patronising.

It's OK, the panties don't mind.

[smiorgan]

"Don't get your panties in a bind" being a prime example I guess

[sosoclever]

If what you wear under your clothing is "underwear," and things like jackets and coats and snowpants are "outerwear," what are clothes? "Middlewear"? "Inbetweenwear"?

[rosathome]

Wear?

[killalla]

Some alternative terminology:

Modern: underwear, women's underwear
Period: foundation garments, lingerie
Archaic: drawers, bloomers, petticoat etc.

[smiorgan]

I think you need a modern definition for a modern audience. I voted for "briefs", being specific to the part of anatomy they cover, unencumbered with different meanings between UK and US English and, well, boring. Which is what you want if you want to present something academic without the readers sniggering.

[undyingking]

Why didn't I get to write essays about women's underwear when I was a student?

[triskellian]

I dunno. Maybe you should have done more critical discourse analysis of articles like this?

[undyingking]

FFS! I don't know which is worse, the article or the actuality it depicts.

[triskellian]

I'm going with the actuality being worse, since the article at least has the small redeeming feature of providing a nice barrel, well stocked with fat fish for me to shoot ;-)

[darkside_doris]

underpants seems too male I think.

knickers is a good one - as it sounds obviously female... but it does also have that sniggering effect!!

Good luck!! :)