The semiotics of tighty-whiteys



Photo Credit: Aussie Bum

The post below is a response to the article "Tighty-whities: the semantics." Read it first at the brilliant Language Log blog. [Those straight linguists are so clueless sometimes.]

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I enjoyed your writing on "tighty-whiteys" and thought I could give you some informed insights on the evaluative aspects of the term from a homoerotic perspective.

"Tighty-whiteys" do refer to fly front, white briefs produced by such brands as Jockey, Calvin Klein and AussieBum. I don't have any proof, but I thought it was a term coined by gay culture, and used in a derogatory manner by heterosexuals, as well as some gay men. Tight-whiteys have come to represent "gay sexuality" or even "metrosexuality." He who wears them is considered to be a more feminized version of masculinity: one that is more self-conscious of itself as a sexual object and thus emphasizes the phallus.

In North America, "tighty-whiteys" are considered by the majority of heteorsexual men (and some gay males) to be more effeminate than boxers. Because boxers are looser fitting and do not emphasize the phallus of the wearer, they are considered more heterosexual.

There is a homophobic response to the representation and revealing of male genitalia in heterosexual North American culture, especially when compared with European attitudes. For instance, the typical North American heterosexual woman (and man) would prefer to see a man in long surfer shorts at the beach, rather than a bikini swimsuit. The material hangs looser and does not mold itself to the contours of the male genitalia. It is not uncommon to hear derogatory comments, sometimes of repulsion, regarding bold and obvious displays of the penis in North America. Whereas in Europe, bikini swimsuits are common at the beach, and there is greater acceptance of frontal nudity in media.

While it may seem logical that gay men may prefer tighty-whiteys because of the more obvious display of sexual genitalia, the symbol for some is less erotic. Those who find boxers sexier tend to eroticize the displays and codes of (North American) heterosexuality. Boxers represent to them a more true "masculinity."

Tighty-whiteys on men represent a more feminized, self-conscious and preening symbol of gay sexuality. Therefore "tighty-whiteys" is generally used as a "negative, dismissive label" by heterosexuals about men who wear them.

Gay men who eroticize boxers are also more likely to eroticize hairy men (those who do not trim, shave or wax their bodies), facial hair and more natural appearing bodies, because these are signs of heterosexual masculinity.

On the other hand, gay men who prefer tighty-whiteys eroticize the emphasis on the phallic, as long as the body of the wearer approaches either a Greek ideal (or a hypermasculinity conveyed by the bodies of bodybuilders), or the athletic, toned bodies of athletes or youthful men (eroticization of youthfulness and innocence). If the man wearing tighty-whiteys is overweight and overly hirsute, then tighty-whiteys are considered erotically repulsive.

Tighty-whiteys are also representative of youth because they are commonly worn by boys and male teenagers, and thus convey "immature development" - those who wear them are not quite yet a 'man.'

The hybrid tighty-whitey/boxer known as a "boxer brief" is a compromise between the competing and dualistic gay eroticizations, making both camps of 'fetishists' happy.

White bikini briefs, sans fly, eliminate any reference to the penis and thus masculinity and therefore are considered even more effiminate and akin to panties.

Colour adds another layer of meaning: white equals innocence, purity and youthfulness, black and grey add a touch of masculinity, and red is worn by rebels such as punks, goths and fringe artists. Silk is associated with European males, blue with boyscouts, and fluorescent oranges and lime greens with psychedelic ravers.

I'm sure this is more information than you wanted to know, but since you brought it up...