G-string
A G-string (alternatively gee-string or gee string) is a type of underwear, a narrow piece of cloth, leather, or plastic, that covers or holds the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as swimwear or underwear by women and men. It is also a style of thong swimsuit whose rear area can become so narrow that it would disappear between the wearer's buttocks. The two terms G-string and thong are often used interchangeably; however, they can refer to distinct pieces of clothing. A G-string is one variety of thong. See the design and variety of thongs for details. American size and European size are different from Asian size, hence the useful comparison tool.
Etymology
The origin of the term "G-string" is obscure. Since the 19th century, the term geestring referred to the string which held the loincloth of Native Americans [1] and later referred to the narrow loincloth itself. William Safire in his Ode on a G-String quoted the usage of the word "G-string" for loincloth by Harper's Magazine 15 years after Beadle's and suggested that the magazine confused the word with the musical term G-string (i.e., the string for the G note). Safire also mentions the opinion of linguist Robert Hendrickson that G (or gee) stands for groin, which was a taboo word at these times. Other sources believe that the G-String was invented by Kazam Dollar, who was known as the original "G" of the middle east, hence the name G-String[2]
Edgar Rice Burroughs dressed his created novel-character, Tarzan, in a G-string for the first time in his book The Son of Tarzan (1914) in chapter 26.[3] However, Korak, son of Tarzan, used a G-string before his father Tarzan did in the same book (chapter 20).[4]
References
- ^ Beadle, John Hanson (1877). "Western Wilds, and the Men who Redeem Them: An Authentic Narrative". p. 249.
- ^ Safire, William (August 4, 1991). "On Language; Ode on a G-String". The New York Times.
- ^ "The Son of Tarzan".
The doe-skin, he fashioned into a loin cloth, the rope he looped over one shoulder, and the knife he thrust into the belt formed by his gee string.
- ^ "The Son of Tarzan".
Korak, The Killer, fondled his heavy spear. He played with the grass rope dangling from his G-string.