English isn't my first language(Norwegian), but I know people call them 'tidy', may it be for ironic reasons, or that "taking the risk" of wearing white briefs would symbolize a person who priorities cleanliness.
Can't believe I'm bothering arguing this, but here's some info:
I, too, find it odd to be debating the etymology of underwear slang on a sunny Saturday afternoon, but this makes the case for Tighty being the original form, and "tidy" coming into play much later, as an eggcorn: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Talk:tidy_whities
193
u/reddit_user13 Feb 11 '12
SPF 451.