Why the Word 'Panties' Is So Awful (And What to Do About It)

[yuiyoshida]

The term has hung around for generations, but now the backlash has arrived. Can this simultaneously too-sexualized and too-babyish nickname be retired?

Every month or so, I receive a glossy coupon from Victoria's Secret in my mailbox. "Free panty!" it beckons. "No purchase necessary!"

Reading those words, I cringe a little bit. Not because I hate underwear—I'm an ardent lover of underwear. It's because I hate the word "panty." I hate the plural form of "panty" as well. "Panties" creeps me out.

And apparently I'm not alone. In addition to a slew of blog posts and message boards denouncing the word, The Huffington Post's Zoë Triska named it "the worst word ever." Cracked.com included "panties" in its list of the "Five Words That Need To Be Banned From English."

Why does the word "panties" bother so many people?

http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/02/why-the-word-panties-is-so-awful-and-what-to-do-about-it/273224/

[katmondoo]

1. I have always cringed when hearing that word

[NYC_SKP]

2. Like so many other gender specific words, it's diminutive, like a lesser version of "pants".

That's part of it, I think.

It's also been used in some pretty sexist activity descriptions, like "panty raid", and dismissive phrases like "don't get your panties in a bunch".

There isn't an equivalent disturbing term for any male garment that I can think of.

[Chemisse]

3. That must be why this term makes me uncomfortable.

It seems disrespectful of women, but I've never really put my finger on exactly why it seems so. (Although frankly, I've never really thought it over before).

I don't know why the article overlooked the obvious name of 'underpants'. That's what I've always called them, although I often referred to them a 'undies' to my children.

[Nye Bevan]

10. But some of the very best DUers have a history of using that word....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8545523

[NYC_SKP]

11. When black and satin or silk, there aren't many other words in the English language.

None, in my experience, that are commonly used by the women in my circle, maybe having lived only in California and NYC have some effect on this.

"Underwear" or "Bottoms" is a bit less troubling, I suppose.

Briefs use more material, bloomers do as well.

Ladies undergarments! Oh, but that's a rather general term, isn't it.

Seriously, as ever, context is everything.

"Don't get your panties in a bunch" is an insensitive use, or worse, and "Panty Raid" is just creepy.

OTHO, "You left a pair of panties in the dryer" is a benign use of the word, though bottoms is probably better.

Thanks for the blast from the past, five years, how ever did you find that?

[Still Blue in PDX]

4. My mom always called them "britches."

Maybe that was a Southern thing.

[DustyJoe]

5. The Brits

Knickers has always been my favorite.

[De Leonist]

6. Wait...What ?

I always thought the word "panties" was meant to refer to lacy, lingerie underwear.

They seriously use that word to refer to everyday regular old cotton underwear for women ? (Don't get me wrong women look damn sexy in those too)

Well I guess that's even further evidence that I live under a rock.

Thank you Dear YuiYoshida for the information.

I always find your posts informative and interesting.

[mercuryblues]

7. panties are for little

girls. Not women. I hate bra and panty sales. IMO, if you are old enough to wear a bra, you are too old to wear panties.

[Phentex]

8. I never refer to a bra as underwear...

a bra is a bra and the bottoms are underwear. There is no need for the word panty ever. Even for little kids, male or female, I say underwear.

[JustAnotherGen]

9. I think I might be one of the few women

That it doesn't bother maybe? I've read the article twice -

But why am I thinking that V.S. got pushback for their 'cheekies' advertising a few years back. If we follow the article's suggestion (it's down towards the end) would we refer to them as the type/style?

Like Grannies? Hip hugger briefs? Thongs? Cheekies?


And yep - let's go there . . . Period Grannies?

[hlthe2b]

13. Then, I 'd suggest you not post in this group, with a stated purpose of discussing issues related to

feminism. You can agree or disagree, but do so respectfully.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I used to know a guy in high school

(He was dating my best friend) who would absolutely fall apart at the word "panties." I'm embarrassed to say that we used to torture him by saying it over and over in his presence. He'd turn red as a beet, and we thought it was hysterical.

I do personally prefer the word "underwear," or even "undies."

[ismnotwasm]

15. Oh hell

Men or women-- I'll call them panties just to make a point, if the topic comes up. Men get all homophobic, and women talk size and comfort, and are taken aback when I refer to Mens panties.

I like my language to be a gender neutral as possible when it comes to clothes. Most men don't wear bra's, though.

Undergarments have been sexualized for women for a long time. At least now for hertero women and homosexual men, we have some sexy things coming out for the guys. I'd post pictures, but alas, anatomy rules and these are very NSFW.