Undergarments

[evanslily]

I was just wondering...

What's wrong with 'knickers'?

You see, I don't wear panties. Living in the UK, it just isn't the done thing

But I do wear knickers. Not drawers, not bloomers, not briefs...

And the heroines in my stories wear knickers too. But the word seems to, well, turn off some readers here on Literotica. Why is that?

Panties, well, it's not a word I've ever used. I'm not comfortable with it at all. As far as I'm concerned, only little girls wear panties. Should I put my characters in thongs instead?

And before I make another faux pas, what should men wear? Am I okay with boxers? Briefs?

All opinions gratefully received

 

[cmichael62]

What knickers say to me

Speaking only for myself, the word "knickers" just isn't sexy. I picture something plain worn by grandmothers. That might just be my U.S. bias, but it is an honest answer.

I wouldn't stop reading an otherwise interesting story because of it though.

Boxers or briefs both acceptable for men depending on what you like.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I think you've guessed rightly that a good bit of the problem is with US readers seeing the word differently. "Panties" is the typical term here, and I think that they are a bit confused about what "knickers" might mean. It has a bit different word sound to it; sort of a harder, shorter sound that might seem to them, in comparison to "panties," to communicate something less feminine or alluring. But that's just a guess.

I run into the opposite problem, myself. I often write a style that favors a bit of delicacy in terms, but there is no good word for the human backside. "Backside" itself is clumping and unsexy, ass / arse / bum too coarse and direct, buttocks too medical, derriere too mincing and affected. Damned if I know what to say. I end up waffling about cheeks and curves in anatomical confusion.

 

[cloudy]

To me, "knickers" are the old-fashioned type of undergarments: loose, white cotton, down to just above the knee with that little ruffle at the bottom.

That may be what most US readers are seeing when they read the word.

 

[evanslily]

I see...

To me, "knickers" are the old-fashioned type of undergarments: loose, white cotton, down to just above the knee with that little ruffle at the bottom.

That may be what most US readers are seeing when they read the word.

Now you see, to me, those are bloomers. My Grandma still wears them. She's 96, bless her. Now I get it. Not quite the image for erotic fiction, I agree.

And BlackShanglan, I quite agree about the whole arse, butt, bum problem. It's all very tricky. But sometimes you just can't do it with a euphemism. I'll confess to being partial to 'buttocks' (oh my God, did I really just write that?) even if it is a bit clinical. 'Arse', nope. I guess I could put it in dialogue, but not in the narrative.

But going back to 'panties'--no, using that word just feels wrong. Which is how, I s'pose, some folks feel about the word 'knickers'.

Hmm. I guess they'll all have to wear thongs after all.

Or briefs? What about briefs?

 

[MarshAlien]

Now you see, to me, those are bloomers. My Grandma still wears them. She's 96, bless her. Now I get it. Not quite the image for erotic fiction, I agree.

And BlackShanglan, I quite agree about the whole arse, butt, bum problem. It's all very tricky. But sometimes you just can't do it with a euphemism. I'll confess to being partial to 'buttocks' (oh my God, did I really just write that?) even if it is a bit clinical. 'Arse', nope. I guess I could put it in dialogue, but not in the narrative.

But going back to 'panties'--no, using that word just feels wrong. Which is how, I s'pose, some folks feel about the word 'knickers'.

Hmm. I guess they'll all have to wear thongs after all.

Or briefs? What about briefs?

For tighty-whiteys? The Tom Cruise Risky Business look? Sure. A lot of readers may snicker, though.

For women's underwear? No. Just before you post it, do a universal replace - panties for knickers. Then you'll never have to read it. Unless you're writing about the New York Knickerbockers, you should be fine.

 

[Guest]

You could always have them go without

Maharat

 

[MarshAlien]

You could always have them go without

Maharat

Next thing you'll be wanting explicit sex scenes in these stories, you - you hussy, you!

 

[evanslily]

Hmm

OK

So I'm gonna have to use the word 'panties'.

I don't have to start spelling favourite as favorite, or colour as color or write realtor instead of estate agent as well, do I?

Or do I?

Sigh. The USA and the UK.

2 great nations divided by a common language...

 

[MarshAlien]

I don't have to start spelling favourite as favorite, or colour as color or write realtor instead of estate agent as well, do I?

Depends. Favourite? No. That doesn't bring up any picture in our mind, and we accept it as the writing of a Brit. Estate agent? Maybe. If I read estate agent, I'd have to stop and think about what it is. If the story is clearly set in England, and it's clear what an estate agent is, then I think it's safe. The problem with "knickers" is that it conjures up an image for us that isn't the image that you want, given that you can't avoid having an American audience for your works. I'm not aware of any other expression that does that (although I'm sure there are some).

You think I'm being humourous, don't you? Sorry. It's humorous.

 

[LadyCibelle]

OK

So I'm gonna have to use the word 'panties'.

I don't have to start spelling favourite as favorite, or colour as color or write realtor instead of estate agent as well, do I?

Or do I?

Sigh. The USA and the UK.

2 great nations divided by a common language...

If I can give you another point of view? I understand that Lit is operated somewhere in the US, I understand that plenty if not most of their readers are from the US...but it doesn't mean to say that you have to change your language and/or grammar.

I know plenty of UK writers on this site and not one of them would think of using panties for undergarments....it's just NOT done and it doesn't sound natural to them. Furthermore, those same writers I've mentioned do have a big fan base (US and UK) and nobody is complaining because they use UK English and use UK words.

Isn't that what makes the world so beautiful, all those differences? Why should anyone have to cater to just ONE country's words and/or taste is beyond my understanding.


This comment is in no way meant to offend US writers and/or writers, so please drop the rotten tomatoes.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

You have a problem. The funny thing is, both words started as men's clothing - knickers came from the New York knickerbockers and panties came from US men's underwear.

Living in UK for a while I learned to love the smuttiness of 'get your knickers off' or 'get your kit off' but that doesn't wash with most American readers.

To avoid the problem, as well as thongs, why not go for boy shorts, french cut panties, directoire knickers - or just 'sloggis'?

 

[MarshAlien]

Why should anyone have to cater to just ONE country's words and/or taste is beyond my understanding.

This comment is in no way meant to offend US writers and/or writers, so please drop the rotten tomatoes.

Because it's my country, that's why.

too late.

 

[LadyCibelle]

Because it's my country, that's why.

too late.

That's okay. I love you anyway, Marsh. Now come and lick all that tomatoe off of me.

 

[MarshAlien]

That's okay. I love you anyway, Marsh. Now come and lick all that tomatoe off of me.

LadyCibelle, you ignorant slut.

You know, I always wanted to post that somewhere on here. I hope to God you're old enough to have seen Saturday Night Live in the mid-70's.

TomatoE? Is that another one of these British things? I thought that was just a variation of Dan Quayle's potatoe?

As for the licking . . . pant, pant, pant . . . what kind of wine can I bring?

 

[evanslily]

Consults dictionary...

You think I'm being humourous, don't you? Sorry. It's humorous.

Um, yes, it is to me, too. Humorous, that is. Or did you already know that and were just making a point?

No. Can't do it. Can't bring myself to do 'panties'. But I won't do 'knickers' either. How's that for a compromise?

Hey, they're all just gonna have to go without. Makes getting down to it a hell of a lot quicker, anyway. No more of those awkward getting 'em off moments. Just whip up her skirt and away we go.

Sorted.

 

[cloudy]

Um, yes, it is to me, too. Humorous, that is. Or did you already know that and were just making a point?

No. Can't do it. Can't bring myself to do 'panties'. But I won't do 'knickers' either. How's that for a compromise?

Hey, they're all just gonna have to go without. Makes getting down to it a hell of a lot quicker, anyway. No more of those awkward getting 'em off moments. Just whip up her skirt and away we go.

Sorted.

Commando.

Works for me.

 

[LadyCibelle]

LadyCibelle, you ignorant slut.

You know, I always wanted to post that somewhere on here. I hope to God you're old enough to have seen Saturday Night Live in the mid-70's.

TomatoE? Is that another one of these British things? I thought that was just a variation of Dan Quayle's potatoe?

As for the licking . . . pant, pant, pant . . . what kind of wine can I bring?

Aww you really know how to speak to a lady, Marsh baby. Now I'm all wet and panting, granted I'm coming out of the shower and running to get dinner ready but anyway .

Tomato(e)....nope not weird spelling, Just a mistype.

Was too young in the mid-seventies to have watched SNL...sorry

 

[BlackShanglan]

Seriously, I would use "knickers" if that's what feels right to you. It's true that some American readers will be a little thrown by it, but then the Brits are a little confused by "panties." Given that that rest of your story will (one assumes) also contain British spelling and word choices, I think it makes sense to stay consistent. Americans who have read a few stories by Brits will know what you're talking about anyway, and the rest can have an educational journey.

Perhaps it will even lead to a good plot idea. You could begin a story with a man describing in adoring detail his fetish for knickers - thus letting us see images of the french-cut silk whisper of one pair and the sequined, deliciously cheap red nylon of the next, and so on and so forth. By the time a really ardent fetishist was done, the audience could not possibly be confused as to what he meant by the term.

 

[tickledkitty]

You can't please everyone, so how about pleasing yourself? I think you should continue to use knickers.

 

[Guest]

I've read plenty of stories written by our wonderful Brits here on Lit that have used knickers, as long as I know they're talking about a sexy little red silk pair with lots of lace, knickers works fine.

I'm partial to boxer briefs, the kind that cling to the male anatomy and leave nothing to the imagination at all.

 

[Guest]

You know, I always wanted to post that somewhere on here. I hope to God you're old enough to have seen Saturday Night Live in the mid-70's.

Caught the reruns in the ninties. Jane Curtain...right?

 

[sr71plt]

Caught the reruns in the ninties. Jane Curtain...right?

knickers I understand. Singlet threw me for a loop for some time.

(Although I think it just precious that my ex pat British friends give me a tinkle now and again.)

 

[mjl2010]

Caught the reruns in the ninties. Jane Curtain...right?

Yep- "Jane you ignorant slut!" and since I was fifteen and my mother was sitting behind me, that was the last time (that she ever knew) I watched SNL. I think it was an episode a week later that "Bitch!" was heard on general TV for the first time ever on SNL. Roseannadanadana said it and was speaking to Jane again.

Those were the days.

MJL

 

[cloudy]

Yep- "Jane you ignorant slut!" and since I was fifteen and my mother was sitting behind me, that was the last time (that she ever knew) I watched SNL. I think it was an episode a week later that "Bitch!" was heard on general TV for the first time ever on SNL. Roseannadanadana said it and was speaking to Jane again.

Those were the days.

MJL

oops! sorry to correct you: I think it was Emily Latella (Gilda Radner) - she said, to Jane Curtain, "Never mind....bitch."