# Why "True Scotsmen" don't wear underpants

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-true-scotsmen-dont-wear-underpants/940630>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 23, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-true-scotsmen-dont-wear-underpants/940630 "2021-04-23T16:56:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-true-scotsmen-dont-wear-underpants/940630/1 "2021-04-23T16:56:16Z")

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[With kilts, that is.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Scotsman) The reason given is “tradition”, but it’s hard to understand anyway.

If no one sees what’s under the kilt, then no one knows whether you’re wearing underpants or not.

And if someone does get a glimpse under there, [well then that’s exactly why you would want to wear them.](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/crown-jewels/)

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-true-scotsmen-dont-wear-underpants/940630/2 "2021-04-23T17:00:37Z")

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[The Scotsman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3CNInoDL9w) (as heard on Dr. Demento)

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**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-true-scotsmen-dont-wear-underpants/940630/4 "2021-04-25T04:52:28Z")

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All I know is kilts came about because sheep can hear zippers.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-true-scotsmen-dont-wear-underpants/940630/5 "2021-04-25T04:54:35Z")

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My friends in the SCA say the old scots used to “gird up their loins” with the long tails of the shirts. But not true separate underwear. However, the balls wouldnt swing low…

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**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2021, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-true-scotsmen-dont-wear-underpants/940630/6 "2021-04-25T05:00:02Z")

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The breeze is the reason for the wearing of the kilt. Underpants are contraindicated.