What is the origin of going 'Commando' originate. I have extensive dictonaries with no real answer?

Question

Is it military, ie Army, Naval ot RAF. Or is it simply a local thing that has taken off due to Britteny or the autobiography of Peter Kay.

Answer 1

Slate's Daniel Engber dates the modern usage to 1974 college campuses, where it was perhaps an outgrowth of the Vietnam War . The origins of the phrase are uncertain, with some speculating that it may refer to being "out in the open" or "ready for action." According to Engber many soldiers do go without underwear to "increase ventilation and reduce moisture." The earliest known use of the term in print is January 22, 1985 when Jim Spencer wrote in the Chicago Tribune:

Furthermore, colored briefs are 'sleazy' and going without underwear ('going commando', as they say on campus) is simply gross".

"Going commando" may also come from the mistaken idea that "commandos" go into an area "without cover."

Answer 2

commando, small, elite military raiding and assault unit or soldier. Although the word was coined in the Boer War (1899-1902), the role is as old as battles themselves. In 1940, when the British organized a number of such units, the term came into wide use.

since the definiton is this:
a member of a military assault unit or team trained to operate quickly and aggressively in especially urgent, threatening situations, as against terrorists holding hostages.

I would think we could assume that a lot of commandos made a habit of foregoing underwear when they needed to get someplace ASAP

Answer 3

The term “Commando” or “Commandoes” and later: Commandos is easy to track to first the Dutch, German and French military writings, it meant a commander, leader of a small unit. By the early 1800’s it was used in South Africa to describe the small bands of Boers who did such as raiding parties and punitive actions against the natives.

I have added varies sources for this below. The last source cites them as Dutch 1770. So we have a good idea of exactly how this term developed.

During WWI the term was used in the British pres to describe allied raids against the Germans.




evacuate this part of the country, a " commando" was consequently assembled 1849 South Africa – reference to Boers assembling a unit to fight natives –

On one occasion, when a commando came against them, they were sitting at a short
distance from the place, sharpening their battle-axes. 1825 South Africa

Travels in South Africa
by John Campbell - 1815 - 448 pages
A commando of boors discovered the track, and came to the spot, where Congo, ...
It is reported that the commando did not awake them, but shot them all dead ...

Svenskt och engelskt lexicon: efter Kongl. Secreteraren Sahlstedts svenska ordbok, författadt af...
by Gustaf Widegren - 1788 - 897 pages
Hafva commando, To have command, 'Io have the ... et commando, He lent a de-tachment.
... commando, A commander in chief. Commendant, f. Governour. ...

****
Travels in South Africa
by John Campbell - 1815 - 448 pages
... , who sometimes sent them on Commandoes, or plundering expeditions, against
the defenceless natives of the interior, furnishing them •with muskets and

The Gentleman's Magazine
1790 ? date
Kafir wars and Dutch “commandoes,” with other causes, have so far thinned them
out that few, if any, genuine

Chambers's information for the people, ed. by W. and R. Chambers
by Chambers W. and R., ltd - 1856
From 1770 the practice of commandoes became more and more common and ... The system
of commandoes against the border tribes, instituted by the Dutch,

Answer 4

A lot of troops in combat, especially humid, jungle etc. go without underwear. I think the going commando was an inside joke that eventually reached the civilian community.

Answer 5

It seems to have come out of the Boer War (1899-1902). A commando was an irregular unit of mounted Boers.

Answer 6

I have no Idea if it actually had/has any relationship to the Royal Marine Commandos.All I know is,it's now a colloquialism for going without underwear....I can't think of many references in print or TV/Movies where it appears..I recall it featuring in "Friends"...

Answer 7

I also heard it in friends, but I'm ex-army. When we were on exercise or operations, there were no opportunites to shower or bathe.... so we didn't bother with underwear - it would only get ruined.

Perhaps the saying comes from that? .. but it wasn't in use when I was in the army - possibly an "americanism"?

Answer 8

I don't know but i first heard it in "friends" joey used to say it! :)