# I wore my Codpiece to work today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 17, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737 "2006-03-17T14:26:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/1 "2006-03-17T14:26:42Z")
I feel so… Macho. Mucho macho, even. I wore the silver lamé _everyday_ codpiece, as opposed to the gilded, jewell-encrusted _night-on-the-town_ codpiece I wear when we go to weddings and such. Anyways, **Mike the Desktop Guy** gave me some shit about it, so I smote him. It was _fully satisfying_. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/2 "2006-03-17T14:30:14Z")
Uhhh…why do you own a codpiece? And why do you wear it? To work? Proudly? To me it’s just like, “Hey here’s my junk! It’s protected _and_ shiny!” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/3 "2006-03-17T14:43:26Z")
I wore my merkin. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/4 "2006-03-17T14:53:57Z")
[Ahh… wiki I do love you so…](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codpiece) > [@](#): > > In 1975, Black Panther Eldrigde Cleaver tried to reintroduce the codpiece to 20th-century male fashion apparel. His purpose, he said, was to “solve the problem of the fig leaf mentality," arguing that "clothing is an extension of the fig leaf.” Variously called “Cleaver pants,” “the Cleavers,” and :”the Cleaver sleeve,” his designer jeans incorporated a combination codpiece-penis sheath that, according to one description of the accessory, could “accommodate a two-pound linguica.” His attempt to reintroduce the codpiece did not catch on. The following web sites provide information concerning Cleaver’s foray into male fashion: ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/5 "2006-03-17T14:58:01Z")
Yeahj, I remember the Cleaver codpieces. I saw pictures of them, but I don’t recall anybody actualy wearing them. The only codpieces I’ve seen were at a local production of Shakespeare’s **Twelfth Night**. There are several jokes about codpieces, so it made sense. Of course, one of the codpiece wearers was female (this being a modern production, she realy was), playing a man. In any event, the codpieces for that production were _really_ small. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/6 "2006-03-17T15:23:18Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > Uhhh…why do you own a codpiece? > > And why do you wear it? > > To work? I wanted to _accessorize_, but I couldn’t find my _power tie_. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/7 "2006-03-17T15:39:35Z")
Now _that_’s a thread title. This is how it’s done, people. > [@myskepticsight](#): > > “Hey here’s my junk! It’s protected _and_ shiny!” Hi - larious! Hee! ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/8 "2006-03-17T15:41:46Z")
Wow, we’re suddenly back in 1602! _“Let’s do the Time Warp again…”_ ---
**Author:** ![Spacekat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Spacekat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spacekat)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/9 "2006-03-17T15:46:27Z")
Bravo!! Pictures? Please? Also if anyone knows of a photo of the Cleaver business, I’d be tremedously grateful. It was before my time, and I’m afraid I’m having trouble picturing it, which I’d truly like to do. I’m actually more into girls, so junk-enhancers don’t do much for me personally, but I have to love the whole concept, especially in puritan America. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/10 "2006-03-17T15:47:15Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > Uhhh…why do you own a codpiece? > > And why do you wear it? > > To work? > > Proudly? > > To me it’s just like, “Hey here’s my junk! It’s protected _and_ shiny!” One of his friends had a crayon removed from his brain, and realized that codpieces give men the comfort and support they’ve always wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/11 "2006-03-17T15:57:01Z")
> [@Spacekat](#): > > Bravo!! Pictures? Please? > > Also if anyone knows of a photo of the Cleaver business, I’d be tremedously grateful. It was before my time, and I’m afraid I’m having trouble picturing it, which I’d truly like to do. > > I’m actually more into girls, so junk-enhancers don’t do much for me personally, but I have to love the whole concept, especially in puritan America. Think **Siegfried and Roy** , but not as _happy_. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/12 "2006-03-17T16:02:33Z")
So what does all of this have to do with Mrs. Paul? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/13 "2006-03-17T16:02:39Z")
Couldn’t find a picture on-l;ine. I think I originally saw it in Time. Here’s the article, but no pic in the free version. You might get one if you sign up: [http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,913426,00.html](http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,913426,00.html) It _didn’t_ look like this classic version: [http://www.purpleunicorn.com/codpiece101.html](http://www.purpleunicorn.com/codpiece101.html) It looked more like a plastic tube stuck on the front of an otherwise normal pair of pants. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/14 "2006-03-17T16:11:02Z")
Obligatory TYO reference: > [@](#): > > **GHOST2:** Look, I’m not prepared to discuss it. All I’m saying is that they found a manuscript in a packet of bacon. Codpiece face! > > **GHOST1:** What did you say? > > **GHOST2:** I said, codpiece face! > > **GHOST1:** What did you say? > > **GHOST2:** I said, codpiece face! > > **GHOST1:** What did you say? > > **GHOST2:** I said… codpiece face! > > _[the Ghosts continue in this vein as they pass through the guy’s wall into the neighbour’s house, the argument getting more and more heated.]_ > > **GHOST1:** What did you say? > > **GHOST2:** I said – > > **GHOST1:** Look, don’t be evasive! > > **GHOST2:** Aw, sod it! ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/15 "2006-03-17T16:16:39Z")
The only acceptable codpiece is red leather and you must be singing _Word Up_ while wearing it. “Yo pretty ladies across the world, got a weird thing to show ya…” ---
**Author:** ![Spacekat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Spacekat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spacekat)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/16 "2006-03-17T18:13:19Z")
> [@](#): > > It looked more like a plastic tube stuck on the front of an otherwise normal pair of pants. Hmmmm, sounds like the Cleaver version might have been less than fetching. Thanks for the links! I’d never thought about the comfort angle until I visited that men’s tights link - I always figured it was a quick access/emphasize volume type of deal. Makes sense. I do like Winston’s version. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2006, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/17 "2006-03-18T02:36:16Z")
> [@Winston Smith](#): > > I feel so…Macho. Mucho macho, even. I wore the silver lamé _everyday_ codpiece, as opposed to the gilded, jewell-encrusted _night-on-the-town_ codpiece I wear when we go to weddings and such. Anyways, **Mike the Desktop Guy** gave me some shit about it, so I smote him. It was _fully satisfying_. Never two days in a row lest it become rancid, and stink like a skink! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/18 "2006-03-18T03:00:45Z")
I never got the appeal of codpieces. To me they were meant to show off. I mean, really, different colors from the pants or leggings or whatever? The bigger the better? At a time when women couldn’t show their ankles, why were men advertising? I saw a documentary on Henry VIII, and while discussing the painting done of the King in his prime, quite heavy and florid and sporting an enormous codpiece, the scholar made reference to what she called an old Spanish proverb, “If you can’t fight, wear a big hat.” Were they the Middle-Age equivalent of a souped up sports car? ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2006, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wore-my-codpiece-to-work-today/348737/19 "2006-03-18T05:16:54Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Were they the Middle-Age equivalent of a souped up sports car? No, not really. Codpieces started as serving a functional purpose. From Boucher’s _20,000 Years of Fashion_: > [@page 445](#): > > At the end of the 15th century, a piece of cloth designed to cover the opening of the hose, attached by two buckles to the front of the hose. In the 16th century this piece became so protuberant and so voluminous that it could serve as a pocket. Even at its most ridiculous, it still was useful. There are reports of people carrying books and moneybags in their codpieces – a bit like a manpurse for the 16th century. Hose started as two separate legs that tied with points through eyelets at the bottom of the doublet/pourpoint/gippon/what-have-you. They wore braies (kind of like boxers) underneath, but there was still potential for escape. From Boucher again, brackets mine: > [@page 195](#): > > The ‘round hose’ of the preceding period [pre-fourteenth century] were replaced by much longer hose or chausses à queue, which could be fasted to the gippon not only in the front but also at the back and sides. Towards 1371, to meet the criticisms of immodesty levelled against the new clothing, someone had the idea of sewing the two parts of the hose together: this gave the chausses à plain fond (‘full-bottomed hose’), with a small triangle added between the two front parts, the braye, covering the opening of the breeches. This piece, which was removable and fastened with eyelets when the hose reached waist-height at the end of the fifteenth century, was to become the braguette or codpiece. > [@page 228](#): > > In every country except Italy, upper stocks retained until about 1580 a prominent codpiece, exaggerating the wearer’s endowments: it is possible that this may originally have derived from the mail gusset filling in the crotch of military costume, rendered indispensable by the coming of plate armor. Codpieces didn’t reach the height of ostentation until the 16th century, when everything was ridiculous and overdone. It wasn’t like there were tons of guys running around in simple clothing and an enormous codpiece. Male fashion was heavily influenced by the military (Boucher makes a note about men’s fashions resembling the lines of armor), and this was most definitely an era of machismo. Even so, in Italy, the codpiece never really took off. Most Italian portraits show plain breeches. After 1580, the codpiece is done. The iconic image of a codpiece, thrusting towards the heavens, was actually pretty shortlived, lasting only for about forty years, which, in the eyes of fashion before the twentieth century, is a mere twitch of a lamb’s tail. So, in the sixteenth century, which is not the Middle Ages by a longshot, yes, the codpiece could be seen as “the equivalent of a souped-up sports car,” and it’s not as if the people of the time weren’t aware of it. (See the codpiece jokes in Twelfth Night: Malvolio and his attempt to win Olivia, a much younger woman and above his social class. A bit confounding, since it was written in 1601.) But in the actual Middle Ages, probably not, since it was just a modest triangle of fabric in its brief appearance during them. Europe was barrelling towards the Renaissance when codpieces finally showed up. And I think you might be overestimating the sexual repression in the period. They were a great deal more liberal in attitudes towards sex than many people are today. The amount written about the embroidery designs on women’s stockings (and that they were embroidered at all) shows that there was probably a bit of ankle being shown. Don’t confuse the Victorians with the Tudors.