"Wife-beater" as article of clothing

[Bonnie Osborn Briggs]

I had not heard of this term until a couple of years ago when my husband
mentioned that one of his employees referred to his undershirts as wife
beaters.  I don't know the origin but it appears to be commonly used in
the construction industry.

Bonnie Briggs
The University of Memphis

Amanda Adams wrote:
>
> Does anyone know the origin of the word "wife-beater" to describe a man's
> sleeveless undershirt, as in "He came downstairs wearing his boxers and a
> wife-beater." ?
>
> Amanda
> Tuscaloosa, AL