Wife beater

[María José]

In the OC the word wife beater is used to refer to the white sleeveless top worn by some men as a T-shirt but looking very much like a vest (underwear). An American friend of mine says he has never ever heard such a word. What about you?


P.S. This thread is just an excuse to post a picture of the gorgeous Benjamin Mckenzie.

[Rusty]

I've never heard that term myself, but this article confirms its usage as another name for an A-shirt (also a term I haven't heard).
I don't own any sleeveless shirts, so I haven't paid much attention to what they're called, except tank top.

(The picture needs to be uploaded (use Manage Attachments) so the rest of us can see it.)

[María José]

Thanks for telling me about the picture, Rusty. Here goes:

[bobjenkins]

El wife beater obtiene/recibe su nombre porque los hombres los cuales golpean sus esposas lleven camisetas parecidas, pero por supuesto se está estereotipando cuando se lo dice. Es un estereotipo negativo, y es muy grosero a unas personas. Lo siento si os ofendo

[ers074]

Yes wife beaters or just "beaters/a beater" are what they are called. They are commonly mispronounced as "white beaters" because they are white, but make no mistake its a wife beaters. In America these are really only worn if one is going to workout. Otherwise wearing wife beater makes one look very cheap and "trashy" and they are worn a lot by Mexican/Mexicans landscapers so it gives a bad image.

Tank top refers to any other sleeveless shirt

[CrOtALiTo]

It's playera sport at least in Mexico.

Even thought is t-shirt in U.S.A.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

hahahha, that´s so funny. I like this kind of underwear, I find it more confortable that the one with sleeves, but you have to know that I always wear them under a shirt or polo shirt.

[poli]

A wife beater is also known as a guinea tee, or more properly a tank top.
The word guinea is an old-fashioned but somewhat insulting term for Italian-Americans, but for some reason it's OK to say guinea tee. No one gets insulted.

[María José]

Thanks guys.
In general I don't like guys in wife beaters, but Benjamin McKenzie looks cute in anything...

[poli]

Les voy a decir que son cómodos. Las llevo yo, pero no sé si me hacen lucir cute o muy chabacano.
No soy ningún Stanley KowalskiA lo mejor Estanley no usaría este foro.

[María José]

Probably not. He would be to busy being mean to the women in his life. Cute as well, anyway...

[Johnny Utah]

Originally Posted by ers074

In America these are really only worn if one is going to workout. Otherwise wearing wife beater makes one look very cheap and "trashy" and they are worn a lot by Mexican/Mexicans landscapers so it gives a bad image.

Tank top refers to any other sleeveless shirt

I wear wife beaters all the time. I've never heard anyone call a person cheap or trashy for wearing one either, especially on a hot day.

If you don't like using the term "wife beater", the more polite term is "marital assault vest".

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by poli

A wife beater is also known as a guinea tee, or more properly a tank top.

Late to the party, but for me a tank top is a sleeveless jumper (sweater in en-us).

And wife-beater is also a nickname for the beer Stella Artois.

[poli]

Originally Posted by pjt33

Late to the party, but for me a tank top is a sleeveless jumper (sweater in en-us).

And wife-beater is also a nickname for the beer Stella Artois.

That's funny. Here a jumper is an outfit for a little girl.
Also, over here Stella Artois tries to promote itself as "high class". You can order a Stella here,and pay more for it. They'll give it to you in an immaculate shapely glass with a long stem and with Stella Artois written on it.
I wonder if they have a Stanley beer?

[laepelba]

Yeah, I'm one of those who has an issue with the term wife-beater for those shirts. I suppose you can call me a feminist ... but I think it's just good taste....

Here's a link that has some ideas about where the term comes from: http://ask.reference.com/related/Why...&l=dir&o=10601

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I don't think it's a matter of feminism, but of dignity (for both sexes).

Oh well...

[Jessica]

gosh when I saw this word I thought it meant people who abused their wives :/ boy am I wrong

[poli]

Originally Posted by Jessica

gosh when I saw this word I thought it meant people who abused their wives :/ boy am I wrong

I just got this image of an eggbeater as an abusive egg.

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by Jessica

gosh when I saw this word I thought it meant people who abused their wives :/ boy am I wrong

It does. The item of clothing and brand of beer both acquired the name through association with violent husbands.

[María José]

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

hahahha, that´s so funny. I like this kind of underwear, I find it more confortable that the one with sleeves, but you have to know that I always wear them under a shirt or polo shirt.

I like your style.