Talk:G-string

Naming

G-String

G-String short for "genital string"? It sounds highly unlikely to me.

No. It is named g-string beacause of the thickness of the back is about as thick a G string on a cello. The Republican 16:53, 23 October 2005 (UTC)

This theory has been discounted. -Willmcw 21:44, 25 October 2005 (UTC)

I believe it's named the g-string because it's sometimes shaped like the letter 'g', whether while its being worn or while taken off.

Tanga

The current wording suggest that tanga comes from Khoisan (!anºa?). Instead I heard that it is some Amerindian language through Brazilian Portuguese.

Butt Floss

It is sometimes disparagingly called butt floss, referring to its tendency to slide between the buttocks like dental floss between the teeth. Really classy. (above comment by some somone who didnt sign (and was an ip address any

I'm not sure that the wording is optimal, but this is a very commonly used nickname. The maturity of those who use the term is probably comparable to those who wear them, so that's a moot point. Maybe the best way to handle this is to have a sentence listing some common nicknames. Cheers, -Willmcw 21:12, May 26, 2005 (UTC)

Here in Brazil it is usually called fio dental - literally dental floss, but I've never heard anything like "butt floss". - Stormwatch 00:28, 12 May 2006 (UTC)

In Spain it is quite usual to nickname it "tanga de hilo dental" among young people, which means exactly that. Less usual but quite common also is "hilo de pescar" (fishing string). I would therefore suggest a nickname list in various languages. VictorOjuel 21:19, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

Uhm, NO! Butt floss is when you take a towel, and rub it between your legs and ass, to literally floss your butt. Butt floss is an ACTION, not some piece of clothing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.0.33.37 (talk) 08:07, 28 September 2011 (UTC)

"t-back" all over asia

its called a t-back all over asia. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 89.241.226.33 (talk) 22:16, 8 December 2006 (UTC).

Etymology

g-string etemology

I've read (in Bill Bryson's Made in America) that g-string probably comes from an American native term geestring, which was the name of the loincloth or possibly the strings holding them up.

g-string from the violin is almost certainly a back-formation.

• Does Bryson give any source for this assertion? Which language does it come from? Paul Tracy 13:05, 29 Nov 2004 (UTC)

g-string etymology

I believe the etymology from the violin string is correct. My understanding is that the "G" string is the thinnest (not the thickest) string on the violin (in fact the thinnest of any stringed instument), so associating the two is actually quite reasonable. (I might add, I first heard this etymology from my mother, who was an English teacher, back in the late 1950s). My understanding is that it is the true etymology (unfortunately, I don't have an OED to check with, although the Concise Oxford does give this very etymology). As an additional bit, the Concise Oxford also capitalizes the "G". --Settantta 10:02, 12 Feb 2005 (UTC)

No, it's the thickest. The longer (not applicable), and thicker, and least tensioned the string, the lower the pitch. The G string on a violin produces its lowest possible note, G3.

The other strings produce higher notes as does fingering the G-string to shorten it.

The tie in to the burlesque 'garment' is the fitting pun that "it's as low as you can go". Both on a violin and according to the law. After you have gotten "down to it" it's the one thing you must not take off.

Two side points: First, the violin was the lead instrument in a burlesque orchestra. Second, It's entirely likely the people making near slang in the burlesque world were totally unaware of the scholarly words used for native American dress. I like the risque pun as the most likely origin. (JFG)

FWIW, I have seen "g-string" in hundred year-old books in reference to native Americans. I do not think that they would have been influenced by violin strings. -Willmcw 20:24, Apr 11, 2005 (UTC)

Here's another reference, which implies that the violin connection came later.

G-string -1878, geestring, "loincloth worn by American Indian," originally the string that holds it up, etymology unknown. The spelling with G (1891) is perhaps from influence of violin string tuned to a G (in this sense G string is first recorded 1831). First used of women's attire 1936, with reference to strip-teasers. [1]

It also implies that "geestring" may have been the original spelling. See also What does the G in G-string stand for? from the Straight Dope -Willmcw 20:28, Apr 11, 2005 (UTC)

The "high" string on a violin is traditionally tuned to E; the "low" string (the thickest) is tuned to G. Mike Helms 03:36, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

Comment and correction. The G string is the thickect string on a violin. I first heard the term in "It's no thicker than a violin G string". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.129.104.126 (talk) 22:34, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

G string

The

2. (Usu. hyphenated.) Also gee-string. a. A loin-cloth or breech-cloth, or the string supporting this, worn by American Indians, etc.

1878 J. H. BEADLE Western Wilds xvi. 249 Around each boy's waist is the tight ‘geestring’, from which a single strip of cloth runs between the limbs from front to back. 1885 Rep. Indian Affairs 179 The more industrious, intelligent, and independent [Indians]..dress partially in civilized clothing and invariably stick to the blanket, leggins, and gee-string. 1891 Harper's Mag. Dec. 36/2 Some of the boys wore only ‘G-strings’ (as, for some reason, the breech-clout is commonly called on the prairie). 1907 S. E. WHITE Arizona Nights I. ix. 163 These Yuma Indians..were a peaceful, fine-looking lot, without a thing on but a gee-string. 1913 C. E. MULFORD Coming of Cassidy iv. 67 ‘It's a G-string an' a medicine-bag..’ cried Dad from the harness-shop.

— OED, online edition

So the first recorded use is spelled "geestring", and there's no indication of a connection to the violin string.   Will Beback  talk  07:28, 8 November 2009 (UTC)

References

Thongs linked with urinary tract infection?

Is the assertion that wearing a thong is linked to contracting UTI's (as compared with other underwear styles) an established fact or a speculation? Is there a reference for this? I did a pubmed search for "thong" and "urinary tract infection" (and alternately, "cystitis"), and didn't find anything.FelineAvenger 21:46, 26 Apr 2004 (UTC)

The string kind is linked with kidney and other infections, especially if worn constantly, because the thong either breaks down the skin or slides up and down, and the bacteria can fiind a miost route. User:thecutesonali 22 Decmber 2006

This article needs pics of Rio girls (barring the urinary tract infection topic)! This is an article begging for visual supplements! 172 17:50, 15 May 2004 (UTC)

Proper article name

Seems that this article has been moved around quite a lot. The present name "G String" is not properly capitolized, and there seem to be other reasonable names:

• G-string
• Thong (garment)
• G string

What is the most common name for this item? -- Netoholic @ 17:03, 7 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Depends on which country (and sometimes which State) you live in. Most parts of Australia it is a G-string, but in Queensland it's a Thong. Thong is also the most common USAian term. --Settantta 10:02, 12 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I thought that Thong (garment) would be the most common and best name for the article. It appears to have been there and was moved here. Also I agree that it should be "G-string" rather than alternate spellings. In any case, this article appears to need some serious fact checking as that this talk is full of questions of factuality. Let's see what we can cite here and hopefully in the process come up with a proper name and spelling for this. Cavebear42 17:12, 7 Sep 2004 (UTC)

but in Queensland it's a ThongThat is wrong. That term is never used in QLD. smerkle

I thought "thong" in Australia was equivalent to "flip-flop" (meaning a plastic or rubber sandal) in England. Rodparkes 09:26, 23 February 2007 (UTC)

"Thong (Garment)" is the best title. A thong is a type of underwear clothing. A g-string is a type of thong. Thus, the entry for g-string should redirect to the entry for thong, not the other way around. A g-string is a specific type of thong, with material in strips thin enough to be referred to as strings. (69.155.110.115 05:43, 29 May 2007 (UTC))

i say that G String is the right name because, while g strings are a type of thong, the thong has more material aroung the sides, when the g string has an actual string connecting the back and frontSpeedo113 (talk) 00:00, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Photos

Photo

The photo has a copywrit problem: Copywrit of Bullzeye http://www.bullz-eye.com/Models/200109jessica/image.asp?theFile=29

The current photo looks it was taken without the knowledge of the young woman in it. Perhaps we should find one that doesn't look like so... voyeuristic? --93JC 01:31, August 6, 2005 (UTC)

I thought the same thing. Maybe something a bit more decent would be appropriate. Do we have any volunteers? Soo 11:16, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

Please see commons:G-string for more images, all are GFDL and with agreement of the model. --Raymond de 14:15, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

The ones in the commons seem almost exbitionist. I don't know what the heck to do... but the current pic has to be replaced. --93JC 02:32, August 19, 2005 (UTC)

the young woman in the picture chose to wear that outfit at the beach. It seems unlikely that she would be unaware of the attention it might generate, including photographs

The current image is one of the common models for the man taking the pictures of the women, and it says the model has passed on her photo rights to the photographers. PirateMonkey 06:03, 19 November 2005 (UTC)

As a secondary point, the one of the man is out of focus and also looks like he doesn't know the picture was taken. We need replacement photos for both of them. PirateMonkey 06:02, 19 November 2005 (UTC)

There is a secondary photo in the article now. If there is still dispute in regard to the first, feel free to make the necessary removal and placements accordingly.

I found this page through string bikini. Why's this woman wearing a collar?? Thongs are part of popular culture and a common undergarment for women - the collar suggests some sort of link with BDSM.

The current photos are poor and do not show the g string properly. A photo taken from a lower angle would be better. 115.188.160.158 (talk) 03:40, 1 November 2015 (UTC)

Unfair photos

I'm seeing more sexualization of Wikipedia here. Compare the male photo to the female photo. The male photo is small and blurry. The female photo is large and clear. Coincidence? I think not... -65.161.247.10 22:15, 24 January 2006 (UTC)

Then go out and take some better pictures. Cheers, -Will Beback 00:41, 25 January 2006 (UTC)

i think that those pictures should not have been taken in the first place. I don't think that anyone would like his wife/husband or daughter/son posing in near nudity and exhibitionism. —This unsigned comment was added by 195.158.117.157 (talk • contribs) .

Clearly you aren't aware of the couples who take pictures/videos of each other, or of themselves having sex, and post them on the Internet. They don't seem to mind... Hbackman 23:41, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

well as the editor of porn magazine OZ once said--"we are now at a stage where humans are copulating here there and everywhere and it is the dogs that are throwing bucketfuls of water to simmer them down!" that is what happens when any sense of morals falls down--pathetic indeed! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 195.158.123.201 (talk • contribs) 5 April 2006 (UTC)

So because the image of the woman in the g-string is a clear, better quality photo makes it more sexual than the photo of the male in one? It seems perfectly fine to me, I see nothing sexual about that image (besides the fact that it is a g-string, which is what this article is about, read this) Also, about the male g-string photo. It's not very often that I see a male in a g-string, so if you can find/take a better quality photo of one, by all means replace it. --Code E 17:47, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

Sexist coment removed.

Guys wear them too,mainly to get rid of excess sweat. Go find a few male examples if possible.

nice link number 9

What's the point for this source?[2] should be deleated?--Pixel ;-) 10:19, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

The photo should be of a woman

Why? Because FAR more users of the g-string are women.--Greasysteve13 09:24, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

New images?

User:Mike39 would like to replace the images in this article with two that he took. Twice he's done this and twice I've reverted the changes, because his are both of women (currently we have one man and one woman, with the woman's picture featured much more prominently) and I believe them to be lower quality than the ones we have now. He says on his talk page, "Yes, I do believe that my pictures are better than those on right now. They are good image quality and they show the thong much better. They are also more attractive than those on right now." I continue to disagree. Can anyone else chime in? --Strait 20:30, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Mike39's images do not show the subject (G-string) half as well as the existing female image. Guy 21:24, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Third photo?

Is the third photo necessary? We have a picture of a thong being worn ... do we need a second picture with another thong, and a woman that is wearing only tan lines? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 74.12.162.53 (talk • contribs) 23:23, 3 December 2006 (UTC).

I agree. I've removed it.

Thanks.

C String

The photo for this is sort of disturbing, and perhaps unnecessarily graphic. Is it really necessary to bend over like that?! 86.20.197.247 (talk) 09:59, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

necessary wording?

From near the end of the article: "so-called straight male populations"

Why "so-called"? Is there not a demographic that can be described as heterosexual and male?

Sdr 17:38, 16 August 2005 (UTC)

Bloody hetrophobes.  :( Jachin 06:50, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

Nomenclature

What about all the different types of G-string/thongs?

I corrected one nomenclature error in relation to 'the difference between' a G-String and a thong earlier. The prior author claimed a thong had a V back and a G-string had a T. What they were refering to is a V-string, a derivative of the G-string. Jachin 06:55, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

An issue that should be raised is, 'thong' is an American term and exclusively that, the only instances you will see that word used refering to underwear outside of America is in heavily American influenced countries (ie: television media influence of teens, et cetera). Actually the difference between a thong and G-String is a thong has a larger piece of fabric going between the cheecks, also can sometimes have larger straps on the side. A g-string is strictly a string between the cheeks and as the side straps. A V-String can either be a G-string that doesnt enter the butt crack horizontially, rather enters at the angle of the top of the butt, forming a V shape. Also Victorias Secret, a lingere store, calls ALL of their "G-strings", "V-Strings", playing off the V in Victoria's.

Thong is too broad a term to use for this article, which is, for all intents and purposes, an encyclopedic article, not urbandictionary.com. So I believe sticking with the actual name of the items of clothing and not having random changes of nomenclature should be effected.

As the article is named after the item, G-string, I have removed all references that could be confusing to a reader of the term 'thong', except where valid and neccesary. Hope this helps bring the article standard up a wee bit.  :)

Jachin 06:55, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

ACK. For my understanding, a V-String is a derivative of a G-String, with the fork much belower, so it looks like a V, but consists of strings only at back-side. A thong (or in european terms a tanga), should have a triangle behind. -- Test-tools 10:15, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

V-String is terminology used by Victoria's Secret to refer to G-Strings. If you look at their web site, you'll see they don't carry ANY G-Strings, just "V-Strings", and not all of which have a triangular rear. The term seems to be a brand (although it's unclear to me if they've trademarked it), and probably should be removed from this article. Appears to me that most vendors call the type with a triangular rear (and usually a narrow strip of cloth rather than a string) a thong. FelineAvenger 16:54, 6 November 2005 (UTC)

Extraordinary claims

People please don't remov the evidenced claims because you don't like them. Wikipedia is about free honest information even if you don't like it.

Update: Evdence has been provided for the claims(May 2006).

Sources have been provided: Hulk Hugan has been seen in a thong on the reality show Hogan Knows Best (check In VH1's Hogan Knows Best 2 - "Twilight of a God"). A news link has been included in the article citing Morgan Freeman Use of thongs Here is a link to the news article: [3].

Removed from the article (for now):

Also G-strings are very popular with male wrestlers like Hulk Hogan because they don't produce visible brief lines under their wrestling outfits. Also some male actors like Morgan Freeman have admitted to use thongs.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. I'm prepared to believe this could be true, but a source is necessary for things like this I think. Soo 22:54, 10 December 2005 (UTC)

Out of context

The main drawback to G-string underwear is that the fabric must be pulled directly between one's buttocks, which many people find unattractive and/or uncomfortable, but which others enjoy. Wearing the same G-string for a prolonged period of time is considered unsanitary, just like any other underwear.

Isn't the last sentence obvious and out of context?

The entire paragraph is unsourced and unverifiable. -Will Beback 01:33, 28 May 2006 (UTC)

Grouch bag

• In this link [4] you see a page from a World war II manual training American GIs how to discern Japanese men from other Asian men. In it, the G-String is referred to as a "Grouch Bag".

That's an interesting, if perhaps racist, reference. However I don't think it tells us anything useful about this topic. A "grouch bag" is a small purse worn around the neck or waist. The initial "g" is a coincidence. I don't think that a wartime guide for soldiers like this is a suitable source for an assertion that Japanese soldiers in WWII sewed pockets into their G-strings to hide weapons. -Will Beback 07:34, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

History

I thought thongs were first used in Europe and North-america by male ballet dancers, because they wear thin and sticky pants ? That sounded logical to me, but got no reference. Do anyone knows about this ? Kekel 12:54, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

• Someone deleted (without explanation) my link to dance belt which I presume you refer to Fastifex 13:42, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

Article sources

The article contains large amounts of info and opinion that is unsourced. More sources need to be added, especially with regards to the attitudes section that present opinions using weasel words. Op ions such as "in some conservative circles any woman ever spotted in a G-string is 'branded' a slut for life." should be sourced. --Cab88 20:52, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

This is another call for the information in this article to be sourced properly. There are a lot of claims with little to no referencing to any solid source(s). 82.46.3.194 (talk) 03:07, 6 September 2008 (UTC) 04:04, 06 Sept 2008 (UTC)

Thongs/G-Strings are predominantly worn by Females!

At the moment in the article, it states "worn by both Women and Men" and the removal of "worm predominantly by women, but also some men" was pushing a POV. Thongs and G-Strings are viewed as female underwear and in any event, they ARE worm predominantly by females.

Whatevever the male's on this site wear, it doesn't change the fact that the statement "predominantly by women but also some men" is factual and should NOT be removed, otherwise it is pushing a point of view, which last time I checked, wasn't allowed. --84.68.49.114

Agree. --Strait 22:18, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

Seconded. Mightywayne 13:26, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Factual? Where's the source? I think it would be correct to say that g-strings and things are worn by both men and women, but unless we have verifiable data I don't see how we can assert the popularity of one over the other, worldwide. Perhaps for certain markets, like the U.S., we could say that more women's thongs are soldthan men's, if we had such info. -Will Beback · † · 19:24, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Well then, where's the source that says thongs ARE worn predominantly by women? Hmm?! Mightywayne 02:38, 23 February 2007 (UTC)

Precisely. We don't have sources for these assertions. -Will Beback · † · 05:41, 23 February 2007 (UTC)

Disagree. While they were invented as female underwear, lately they are being adopted by some minority males. VictorOjuel 21:12, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

Also, they are fairly popular in European countries. And Asian, I think. 131.109.10.242 14:41, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

I disagree too. Even though it is classified as womens underwear, men wear it too. I've worn men's thongs since i was twelve. So i'm sorry if you were offended by the fact that guys also wear g-strings, it's a fact, so it belongs in the article.Guy113 (talk) 20:50, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Claim that Stallone & Freeman use thongs

Those links do not validate anything. The Sly Stallone one actually sounds like a joke than fact. And the Morgan Freeman one does not work.

Removed. You should be bold and edit things yourself when you find errors. --Strait 03:44, 3 October 2006 (UTC)

Should g-strings be smaller?

If you think g-strings are too big, look for a picture of a smaller one and put it on this page.

Possible image to replace copyvio image

There is a good quality photo of a man wearing a thong at the Commons that would probably be a good replacement image for the copyvio one. The uploader has an established track record of submitting PD-Self-Made images and videos that are currently being used on multiple wikis. It has a Hi-Res version, and it would balance out the photos - 2 female and 2 male. What do you think ? Here it is File:Male Tan-Thru Thong SummitBalcony PCB Florida.jpg

That is a good image, but one, it is technically a thong and should go in the thong article, which does need a picture in the men's thong section. But first, you might want to get a version that isn't so dark.G1 JOE113 (talk) 21:46, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

The article

This is just the worthless opinion of from a nameless ip-number, but I believe this article is in some parts very confusing, and actually seems to contradict itself at times. Example:

In the paragraph about the recent commercialisation, it mentions that "... sales results show that the thong underwear for everday wear is now considered outdated". Yet, pretty much the rest of this paragraph argues for how very popular this style of underwear have become.

Also, one thing I've found rather disturbing, is that the article claims that lack of a visible panty-line "makes for a more attractive appearance", as if this would be a absolute truth. 85.225.25.6 23:17, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Undid vandalism

Thought I'd post it here as it meant restoring a large section of uncertain quality that's been missing for nearly a month. This diff should explain it (it's the 3rd visible edit in this group). Orderinchaos 10:15, 10 June 2007 (UTC)

Languages

Isn't Wikipedia offered in these other languages? Is every entry in Wikipedia supposed to contain the translation of the subject matter into every language? Should I post what "G-String" translates to in Samoan?

I suggest the language section be trimmed to only include English references as well as foreign references that are popular in the english language.

In Lithuania the G-string is often called "stringai", or more national name "siaurikės". In Lithuania the G-string is often called "G-strengur".

Well which is it?

Another type of string

Does anyone know how this type of string is called? http://img63.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stringux3.jpg I've already researched but i didn't find out. Some how knows may tell us and edit this article. 80.121.47.148 14:44, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

A "Y-string"? Or an extreme variant of the "V-string"? Aditya^{(talk • contribs)} 07:22, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

Thong versus G-string

I see a bit of confusion on the difference between a thong and a G-string, which is more manifest in the area of their classification. I believe a thong is a panty-front and a G-string is a skimpy from of thong. But, apparently it may not be that simple. Therefore I started a discussion thread at WikiProject Fashion. Please, take a look. Aditya^{(talk • contribs)} 07:19, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

I agree on the lack of a distinction between a thong and a G-string in this G-string article. Unless a clear case can be made for a G-string as other than a type of thong, then I feel that the G-string article should be merged into the existing G-string section of the thong article.Penelope Gordon (talk) 20:22, 20 February 2013 (UTC)

"Girdle string" theory.

Quite a few internet copycats suggest version that geesting might be an abbreviation to "girdlestring". Well, it looks like this is bull... er... an internet phenomenon. A Straight Dope article dated by 1980, by Cecil Adams, mentioned this hypothesis, but sadly said that to his knowledge there was no such word. So I guess, Adams gave birth to it :-) ( or his knowledge was limited )-: `'Míkka>t 05:09, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Vandalism

There has been lots of vandalism on this article. Should we change the protection level? Somebody500 (talk) 03:58, 15 February 2010 (UTC)

Edgar Rice Burroughs

"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." and "Korak, The Killer, fondled his heavy spear. He played with the grass rope dangling from his gee-string." doesn't refer to a garment. The writer uses the word gee string to mean a thin chord, the a common meaning for gee string (see: Oxford dictionary entry). Aditya^{(talk • contribs)} 09:24, 28 January 2012 (UTC)

Looking at some of Burroughs work I can see that a gee string could be a cord around the waist. However, I can't find any sources for this period which confirm that usage. If we can find any evidence then we will probably need to include some text explaining that the meaning has changed over time. - Polly Tunnel (talk) 16:28, 7 November 2017 (UTC)

One descriptive image to prevent image overkill

To prevent an "image overkill" one "informative image" is enough that demonstrates with descriptive label that the G-string is designed to be worn by "both men and women" not just. Also left note on talk page. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.25.2.89 (talk) 02:34, 6 May 2016 (UTC)‎

Both of those images are of poorer quality than the one that was there before. In addition to being overly complicated and unflattering to the point of distraction, they include pointless hard-coded watermark captions. If you would like to propose a more gender-neutral replacement, please do so here on the talk page. Grayfell (talk) 02:40, 6 May 2016 (UTC)

Added missing references confirming G-string is designed for both Men and Women to wear as underwear and swimwear and removed hard-coded watermark captioned image gender-neutral. 82.25.2.89 (talk) 03:08, 6 May 2016 (UTC)‎

Again, both of those images are terrible quality, and neither of those sources are reliable. One is just spam and the other is a blog. Wikipedia doesn't accept those as sources. Propose changes on the talk page first. Grayfell (talk) 03:35, 6 May 2016 (UTC)