Silly questions....

[Blu (Ontario)]

When was it decided that the term "regimental" should denote an absense of underwear... why not "platoonal" or "battalional"?

.... and just who was Dora MacLeod, anyway?

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[Southern Breeze]

When was it decided that the term "regimental" should denote an absense of underwear... why not "platoonal" or "battalional"?

.... and just who was Dora MacLeod, anyway?

.

It was because they were in regiments?

While we're on the subject of silly questions, who started the use of the word Rabble on the forum?

[MacTavishOfJapan]

I came across that a while back, I think it may have been Pour1Malt and some others.

[McClef]

I believe it came about because the "nothing underneath" rule was enforced in Scottish regiments no matter what civilians chose to wear or not wear.

An inspection was carried out using a mirror to check that soldier were actually complying with the regulations.

Who made the regulation I don't know but I suspect the reasoning was because the kilt was originally a purely highland garment and the original highlanders never wore anything under their feile mhor.

Lowland regiments had no kilting tradition to begin with.

I heard also that kilted soldiers were barred from travelling on the top deck of double decker busses!

Come to think of it where does the equivalent US expression "commando" come from?

[Raphael]

If I were to underwear, does that mean I am going civilian with the kilt?

[McClef]

If I were to underwear, does that mean I am going civilian with the kilt?

The common belief is that the vast majority of kilted civilians do in fact maintain the tradition of being "true Scots" (another phrase in common usage) and therefore one would only be civilian in what one wore with the kilt rather than under it.

However certain situations are considered acceptable for "knickers" (such is the term in such situations) - participating in highland games for example, or dancing in order to spare the ladies' blushes when the pleats might fly up too high

[chasem]

Come to think of it where does the equivalent US expression "commando" come from?

I think it came about, or was made popular, through the television show "Friends." I can't remember the background, but I seem to remember that being the spark.

[Mithral]

I think it came about, or was made popular, through the television show "Friends." I can't remember the background, but I seem to remember that being the spark.

It certainly didn't come about from "Friends", nor was it made popular by the same.

According to Wikipedia:
"Slate's Daniel Engber dates the modern usage to 1974 college campuses, where it was perhaps an outgrowth of the Vietnam War. The origins of the phrase are uncertain, with some speculating that it may refer to being out in the open or ready for action. According to Engber many soldiers do go without underwear to increase ventilation and reduce moisture. The earliest known use of the term in print is January 22, 1985 with Jim Spencer writing in the Chicago Tribune: Furthermore, colored briefs are 'sleazy' and going without underwear ('going commando', as they say on campus) is simply gross."

The producers of Friends have, however, made the claim that because of them the phrase is in the Oxford Dictionary.

[Kilted KT]

It was because they were in regiments?

While we're on the subject of silly questions, who started the use of the word Rabble on the forum?

here is the thread where we decided rabble was the correct term...it should be an interesting read.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...d.php?p=222125

I think it was on page 5 or so...

[Southern Breeze]

here is the thread where we decided rabble was the correct term...it should be an interesting read.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...d.php?p=222125

I think it was on page 5 or so...

Thanks. I was thinking that it started around then.