Why do they call a sleeveless shirt for men a 'wifebeater'?

Question

What a TERRIBLE name for a piece of clothing! They ought to discontinue that word for that kind of shirt.

Answer 1

I found this definition in a slang dictionary online:

Wife beater, also wifebeater, and sometimes abbreviated as simply beater, is a slang term used in the United States to refer to a tank top style shirt when worn as a sole, outer layer (as opposed to being worn as an undershirt). This term is often seen as politically incorrect and is often associated with the similarly derogatory phrase "white trash."

A type of sleeveless undershirt, of the kind that used to be worn by almost all men in the 50's. If you watch the HBO Drama The Sopranos, you'll see Tony (the lead character) wearning this type of undershirt.

Also has associations with slovenly, unkempt, sloppy, etc. Someone who just woke up and hasn't combed their hair or washed up and appears at the door in a wifebeater shirt, scratching themselves, is a stereotypical picture that comes to mind.

This sleeveless undershirt with a deep round neck and deep arm openings has acquired the connotation of an article of clothing worn by someone who beats his wife -- perhaps because of the unkempt, slovenly nature of the garment when worn alone on a middle aged man with a gut, sitting in an easy chair, scatching at himself and demanding to be waited upon lest he smack around the person waiting on him.

Answer 2

I think it was worn by Marlon Brando in the Tennessee Williams play, "A Streetcar Named Desire",and it became synonymous with the abusive husband.

Answer 3

I've heard that it's because on the show Cops all the men who were arrested for domestic violence wore those sleeveless white undershirts.

Answer 4

I guess it is some garment that is assumed to be worn when a spouse is getting beat. It is a horrible name for a tank top. I as a female believe that its degrading.

Answer 5

I agree, it is pretty offensive and kind of funny, because I know it's not meant literally. I wonder how the name stuck anyway.

Answer 6

coz most men roll their long sleeved shirts short when they beat their wives.

Answer 7

I think that it is because on tve whenever someone was abusive to their wife or girlfriend, they were always wearing one of those tshirts. oh, they usually were dirty too.

Answer 8

who the hell are you??? mr rogers?????