Wife Beater

A male white ribbed tank top which has been around since the early 1900's and was very popular as an undergarment before the t-shirt came into common usage.

The shirt acquired the nickname "Wife Beater" in the late 1980's due to the popularity of police reality shows like "Cops" where it seemed like a disproportionately high number of men who were arrested for episodes of domestic violence, as well as other crimes, were wearing a shirt like this.

The main reasons why this garment seem to be favored by men like this are:

1. It's cheap. Many men in this demographic tend to not have a lot of disposable income and, because of the low amount of material that is used to create the shirt, they can be bought in large quantity for very little money.

2. It's good to wear on hot days. Again, because of lack of income, many of the men seen in shows like "Cops" live in unairconditioned homes or trailers which can become extremely hot in warm weather. The design and thinness of the material in the shirt makes it a good option to try and get some relief from the oppressive heat.
Did you see that guy the cops were hauling away was wearing a wife beater? Big surprise, huh?
by Sodakak September 15, 2016
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wife-beaters

1.plural of wife-beater ( also refered to as wifebeater)
2. a gruop of little bitches that compensate for their little peepees(penis) by harming their wives. AKA a pussy
1."man she looks hot wearing a black bra under a white wife-beater!"
2.a gathering of burt reynolds' is called a flock of wife-beaters
by bleucanadianbeaver July 27, 2006
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wife beater

a disgusting name to name a shirt
dude, look at me, i'm wearing a wife beater.
by NA Again May 16, 2009
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wife beater

by Seemore Butts March 23, 2003
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wife beater

A tight sleeveless shirt worn by men who beat their wives.
Mary: You can tell Joshua beats his wife because he wears a WIFE BEATER!
by noxcovenant April 16, 2008
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wife beater

A wife beater is a t-shirt that is completely worn out and preferably has a few stains on it of an unknown origin. It should also be worn bare especially around the neck line.
Check out the wife beater (t shirt) he's got one.

Also - in conversation: Well Bob, you know Airdr*e Alberta is the wife beater capital of Canada.

It should also be clear that the definition refers to the actual shirt, not the guy wearing it, although it is only applicble to shits worn by guys.
by rockinjoedavis March 12, 2008
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wife beater

the lowest form of a man. he wont beat on another man but will assault a woman. PUNK!
PersonA: how did you get those bruises on you like that?
PersonB: Tony, you know he's a wife beater.
by DONTWORRYBOUTDAT March 11, 2008
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