BVDs

English thumb|Men’s boxer shorts and boxer briefs Etymology From the initials of an early manufacturer: Bradley, Voorhees & Day (founded 1876). Noun p en informal initialism Underpants; usually, men's underpants. en 1953 Richard Pike Bissell Richard Bissell w:7½ Cents Atlantic Little, Brown 53 The dealers apparently got a big inventory and since the war all nobody seems to be buying pajamas. Learned to sleep in their ‘BVDs’ during the war years in the armed services all these young men did. 5 64–65 65 Thus, the light switched on, there was Einhorn in his BVDs, wasted arms freckled, grizzled hair afly from his face that was inclined to flatness, the shrewd curved nose and clipped mustache. en Ray Stevens, Bill Justis Bill Everette Gitarzan Ray Stevens 1969 He's free as a breezeHe's always at easeHe lives in the jungleAnd hangs by his kneesAs he swings through treesWithout a trapezeIn his BVD's. en 1970 John Glassco Memoirs of Montparnasse 97 2007 New York We frolicked like dolphins – Graeme and I in shorts and Bob in his B.V.D.'s – and then stretched out on the ancient waveworn shingle to let the sinking sun dry and warm us. Usage notes To make clear the exact quantity being discussed may require the use of pair of BVDs or (however many) pairs of BVDs. Derived terms en bibidees bebadees Descendants es bividí 1 See also en jockey shorts Speedo skivvies Further reading BVD en eponyms genericized trademarks en Underwear