[Andrea Lewis]

Andrea Lewis  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Greetings from the other side of the world.
 
I have been thinking and have many questions regarding the human body.
 
Because I know you like silly questions - why do our undies go into our bum and how can we stop it?
 
Many thanks and keep up the excellent podcasts!
 
Andrea Lewis
Hobart Tasmania, Australia

What do you think?

[graham.d]

I think it is the tendency to end up in a low energy state. There may be two states with the leg holes situated either side of the buttocks. If there is sufficient disturbance to the regular position, then the alternative state can remain a more stable configuration.

To be certain though, I think you need to post photos so that a proper analysis can be carried out :-)

[peppercorn]

I think it is the tendency to end up in a low energy state.

[] Check out my Thermodynamic Pants!! []

[QuantumClue]

Andrea Lewis  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Greetings from the other side of the world.
 
I have been thinking and have many questions regarding the human body.
 
Because I know you like silly questions - why do our undies go into our bum and how can we stop it?
 
Many thanks and keep up the excellent podcasts!
 
Andrea Lewis
Hobart Tasmania, Australia

What do you think?

I think men who wear breifs suffer more from this problem than baggy boxers. So wear some boxers. Try it out and report back. I would be interested to know

[peppercorn]

I think men who wear breifs suffer more from this problem than baggy boxers. So wear some boxers. Try it out and report back. I would be interested to know

There's several (well, three) reasons why boxers work for men!  I'm not sure they're going to offer too much of a solution for Andrea! []

[Bored chemist]

I was just going to joke about the prototype which suffered from the opposite problem. They decided it was better that the pants rode up, rather than went down.

However, having thought briefly (ugh!) about the problem I wonder if it's to do with the cut of the pants.
If they were too narrow (i.e the waist band wasn't long enough they wouldn't be able to ride up like that but they wouldn't be very comfortable.
If, on the other cheek; sorry, the other hand, they were too short (crotch to waistband then they would tend to ride up, a sort of built in wedgie effect. I think they would also suffer from a related problem and that leads me to wonder if the phrase "camel toe" has ever been used on this site before.

[QuantumClue]

I think men who wear breifs suffer more from this problem than baggy boxers. So wear some boxers. Try it out and report back. I would be interested to know

There's several (well, three) reasons why boxers work for men!  I'm not sure they're going to offer too much of a solution for Andrea! []

ahahaha

[chris]

On "The Kumars at No. 42" this problem is referred to as "hungry arse syndrome". This is one advantage of thongs over granny pants!

[KennyC]

On "The Kumars at No. 42" this problem is referred to as "hungry arse syndrome". This is one advantage of thongs over granny pants!

Why? Cause the thong's already up yer a$$?

[maffsolo]

On "The Kumars at No. 42" this problem is referred to as "hungry arse syndrome". This is one advantage of thongs over granny pants!

Yes this is a problematic phenomena that can prevent life support...

The One Cheek Sneak

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

[RD]

BBC TV's "Genius" solution ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bkqfq

[maffsolo]

Let's shake a leg

[Karen W.]

I was just going to joke about the prototype which suffered from the opposite problem. They decided it was better that the pants rode up, rather than went down.

However, having thought briefly (ugh!) about the problem I wonder if it's to do with the cut of the pants.
If they were too narrow (i.e the waist band wasn't long enough they wouldn't be able to ride up like that but they wouldn't be very comfortable.
If, on the other cheek; sorry, the other hand, they were too short (crotch to waistband then they would tend to ride up, a sort of built in wedgie effect. I think they would also suffer from a related problem and that leads me to wonder if the phrase "camel toe" has ever been used on this site before.

I agree with Bored... If your undies are cut wrong or fit too snuggly the crack becomes a problem but when you have the proper cut and style for your own unique tush then the problem goes away... I never have that problem unless the cut of the underwear are too short across tummy or too snug in legs and so on.. bikini cuts may be sexy on some, but they are torturous, uncomfortable, and constantly being pulled out of the depths of bottom LUFF as Sheepy might say!

[Geezer]

I am unable to comment on this topic as I am a true Scotsman and lack any data, or trouse.

[Karen W.]

Yes indeed we all know what the scotsman wear beneath the kilt! LOL...

[JnA]

The other week I discovered some underwear that had little rubber bits on the 'leg' parts to combat this very problem.

If there's a fraction too much friction, or a fraction too little, it seems to cause problems.

[Don_1]

I am unable to comment on this topic as I am a true Scotsman and lack any data, or trouse.

Of course this has nothing to do with tradition, its just that the Scots have very deep pockets and very short arms.

This 'ride' is usually due to the cut of the garment. A low rise (crotch to waist band) tends to result in pulling up. Insufficient width across the bum cheeks has the same effect. Also the fact that women's underwear is usually made from a material with stretch, eg. cotton and elastane. The outer garments can also have an effect of the undergarment.

[chris]

On "The Kumars at No. 42" this problem is referred to as "hungry arse syndrome". This is one advantage of thongs over granny pants!

Why? Cause the thong's already up yer a$$?

That's right. For a thong or G-string to ride up any further it takes an "atomic wedgie", as my brother is fond of calling it. For those not in the know, this is a wedgie of sufficient severity to turn the waist-band of your underwear into shoulder straps...

[FuzzyUK]

Andrea Lewis  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
why do our undies go into our bum and how can we stop it?

I see that you live in Australia. Have you noticed what happens to undies when worn on the other side of the world?

[Variola]

Andrea Lewis  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
why do our undies go into our bum and how can we stop it?

I see that you live in Australia. Have you noticed what happens to undies when worn on the other side of the world?

I also know that a thong is a very different thing in Oz to it is here []