Boxer shorts.

[Fred Shapiro]

yOn Sun, 7 Jan 2001, Mark Odegard wrote:

> Dan. buxer, Sw. byxor (pl), fr. MLG buxe, boxe, contracted from *buck-hose,
> i.e., 'trousers of buckskin'
> -end quote-
>
> This is tantalizing.
>
> I've always assumed boxer shorts are named after boxing shorts, but am now
> quite curious.

The OED's definition notes, "similar in design to the shorts worn by
boxers in the rign."  There's no reason to look to Scandinavian roots.

Fred Shapiro


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