Skivvies (1918)

[Jonathan Lighter]

Early exx. (1918 through WWII) all relate to the Navy or Marines.

The etymology remains unknown. Theories?

JL

"Douglas G. Wilson" <douglas at NB.NET> wrote:
---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: "Douglas G. Wilson"
Subject: Skivvies (1918)
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Here is an example of "skivvies", apparently in the usual early sense "US
Navy underwear", from N'archive.

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_Nebraska State Journal_ (Lincoln NE), 30 Dec. 1918 (?): p. 6(?), col. 1:

[Title: "Boys Will Be Boys -- Even in the Marine Corps"]

["Copyright 1918, by The International Syndicate."]

<<"Hit the deck!" / .... / "Well, boys, I believe I'll play a little golf
today and not go to the office at all. I'm all run down and need a little
hard physical labor," declares an athlete in the act of putting on his
"skivvies.">>

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-- Doug Wilson


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