wifebeaters Re: Closets and Wardrobes

[Carol]

Carol earlier:
> > Anyone have teenage or college-age sons who wear the things?
> > 
> > Carol, still looking for another word to describe a men's
sleeveless A-shirt (and few people use that term, to my knowledge) in
a color other than white
> 
> Kemper now:
> I work with males (and females) between 12-22.  Many experience time
within the justice system, mental health system, and/or drug/alcohol
programs.  The white, tank, A-shirt is referred to as a wifebeater,
no> matter how often they are asked to refer to it as an undershirt or
tank or A-shirt.  It is becoming a part of the lexicon (not
hp-lexicon, that's a different, long thread... though, I could see
Ludo wearing one.)
> 
> "black wifebeater" jolts this reader.  It should just be
"wifebeater" or "black sleeveless, nearly shoulderless tee".

>
Carol:
Thanks, Kemper. "Black wifebeater" jolts me, too. However, since
"black, sleeveless, nearly shoulderless tee" (really an A-shirt, s you
say) doesn't exactly roll off the tongue (or keyboard), I think I'll
keep looking for other altenatives. Also, the client and her
characters are just ordinary middle-class Americans, not likely to
spend time in the justice system or the mental health system.

So far, I like "tank" or "muscle shirt" best.

BTW, I made a slight blunder referring to another portion of American
men's underwear in a recent post. I said that they wear briefs or
shorts. That should be briefs or boxers (aka boxer shorts).

Carol, wondering what Kemper himself would call a "wifebeater" if he
wore one