Silly questions....

[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?

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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

[turpin]

dancing in order to spare the ladies' blushes when the pleats might fly up too high

Perhaps if kids are present, but not that many ladies today would blush - more likely shake their raised arms and go "woof, woof, wool".

[McClef]

I don't think that kids would be that bothered really and would probably find it funny.

I've caught kiddies trying to lift my pleats in a store then they run off giggling.

[porrick]

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.

True, true. Just came back from a week-end in Dumfries and an array of various comments (I'll need to compile a list and post seperately), where numerous calls from girls were heard: [I]are you a true Scot?[/I]

The one answer that worked and satisfied the callers each time was simple: Are there any Scots but true Scots?

[McClef]

The one answer that worked and satisfied the callers each time was simple: Are there any Scots but true Scots?

Ah but that usage could have another meaning!

Scots in their "breeks" are unlikely to be "true" although they may be true in their patriotism.

And on Saturday there were some "untrue" Scots shown in their kilts at the Glasgow auditions for The X Factor

But it was the "true" one who got through!

[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.