"Underwear" or "Undergarment"

Question

Hi everybody,Someone who is an English teacher (a non-native speaker of English) told me that "underwear" is informal & not very polite & that the proper word which should be used in neutral or formal context is "undergarment". I've looked up "undergarment" in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English which, however, says that "undergarment" is actually old-fashioned.Could any native speaker of English give a hand with this?Thanks.Kathy

Khoff · Accepted Answer

I'm trying to imagine a formal situation in which people would need to discuss undergarments.

I agree that "undergarment" sounds formal and old-fashioned; perhaps it would be a good word to use if you needed to discuss this subject with the Queen of England, or perhaps a very elderly clerk in a very expensive shop. For everyone else, I think "underwear" is fine.

Free_spirit · Answer

Hi Kathy,

Underwear is common usage in New Zealand, and I imagine that someone would have to be very prudish (reserved, old fashioned) to find it "impolite" or offensive.

Try searching in Google for "Bendon underwear" for example. Bendon is a well-known brand name.

The Wikipedia entry is "Undergarment", but the first words are: "Undergarments or underwear are clothes worn under other clothes..."

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undergarment

Philip · Answer

I believe that "underwear" is common in department stores.

Slang: Tidy whities.

Khoff · Answer

I thought it was "tighty whities."  And, of course, only if the underwear is white.  And tight.

BarbaraPA · Answer

khoffI'm trying to imagine a formal situation in which people would need to discuss undergarments.

Amen, sister!

Philip · Answer

khoffI thought it was "tighty whities." And, of course, only if the underwear is white. And tight.

I've never seen it in print.

Kathy456 · Answer

Hi everybody,

Thanks a lot for all of your advice.

Kathy

"Underwear" or "Undergarment"

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