Underwear Nomenclature: Can I Call Briefs as Knickers or Panties?

The choice of terminology for your underwear is entirely subjective. Whether you refer to your briefs as knickers or panties, it's a matter of personal preference. The most important aspect is that your conversation partner understands what you are referring to.

My Personal Experience

Ive checked the definitions of both briefs and panties, and in my opinion, briefs are typically associated with menswear, while brief panties are more commonly worn by women. I used to wear boxer briefs and now I opt for brief panties, finding them to be very different. There are high waist, mid waist, and low rise brief panties, all of which provide a comfortable and stylish fit. In my view, the distinction is indeed subtle but noteworthy.

Language Usage and Nomenclature

Language usage is an essential aspect of communication, especially when discussing personal items like underwear. When we say “call as,” it suggests a rigid classification, which is not the standard English phrasing. In English, 'call' is a verb meaning to name or refer to something. Therefore, the correct phrasing would be:

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I think we can call briefs 'panties'.

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INCORRECT: I think we can call briefs as 'panties'.

It is quite common in English to refer to certain types of women's underwear as 'briefs' rather than 'panties'. This usage has become quite prevalent and is generally accepted in conversational English. However, this term is never used for men's briefs, as mens briefs are not considered smaller, younger, or daintier than women's briefs. The -y/-ies suffix often indicates that a thing is smaller, younger, or daintier than the same thing without the suffix. Since mens briefs do not meet this description, they are never referred to as 'panties'.

Conclusion

In summary, you can certainly call your briefs 'panties' or 'knickers' if that suits your preference. The key is clear communication. While 'briefs' is more common for both men and women, 'panties' is specifically used for women's undergarments. Remember, what's important is that both you and your conversation partner understand what you are referring to.