The History Behind the Term “Wife Beater” Is as Bad as You’d Expect
Image via Warner Bros.
Let's retire the term, please.
Regarded as a timeless, incredibly versatile summer staple, the only thing the classic A-line shirt needs is a rebrand.
"Wife pleaser?" "Tank top?" Anything's better than "wife beater," and after reading these alleged backstories we're pretty sure you'll agree.
Front Page News
Back in 1947, a man called James Hartford Jr. was arrested for brutally beating his wife to death. The crime garnered national attention, with an image of the killer in a stained white tank top circulating as well.
This image became perpetuated in Hollywood, with several abusive male characters like Stanley Kowalski as played by Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Ye Olde Tank Tops
Another theory — also rooted in brutal violence — dates back to Medieval battlegrounds. The story goes that soldiers who had no armor and were left to be killed were known as waifs. Without their armor, they were left wearing undershirts that became known as “waif beaters,” which could have been the origin of “wife beaters.”
No matter the folklore, let's all agree to let the term ride off into the sunset and enjoy our tanks without the conjuring up of violence against women. Got a better alternative to "wife please?" Drop it in the comments.