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.
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.
by Sodakak September 14, 2016
Get the Wife Beatermug. They make shirts for wife beaters, but none for husband beaters, brother beaters, or sister beaters. Not everyone who wears the shirt wants to beat the shit out of somebody's wife.
Ronny- Andrew's outside in his wife beater, working on his car. The deadbeat piece of shit won't even put on a t shirt.
Chris- I heard he treats his sister worse than his wife and kids.
Chris- I heard he treats his sister worse than his wife and kids.
by Solid Mantis October 2, 2017
Get the Wife beatermug. by NA Again May 15, 2009
Get the wife beatermug. by noxcovenant April 16, 2008
Get the wife beatermug. 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.
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
Get the wife beatermug. PersonA: how did you get those bruises on you like that?
PersonB: Tony, you know he's a wife beater.
PersonB: Tony, you know he's a wife beater.
by DONTWORRYBOUTDAT March 11, 2008
Get the wife beatermug.