Silly questions....

[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.

[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!

[porrick]

Ah but that usage could have another meaning!

Hehe - yepp it is all context-based

[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.

[McClef]

All Commandos are soldiers but not all soldiers are Commandos ...

I never saw more than about 10 minutes of Friends

I am still not convinced that I missed much