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by Anon on July 30th, 2005
Wifebeaters are often worn by men known derogatively as "white trash", e.g. poor white people living in run down mobile homes. It is a common belief that such men are more likely to beat their wives, hence the name of the shirts which are named after them.
For more info, check out the wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wifebeater_%28slang%29
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Comments
the question is not about 'white trash' its about a shirt and you answer has yet to answer it!
by Saddened on August 20th, 2005
Your link establishes the veracity of your answer. I never knew any of this!! I guess I lead a sheltered life.
by Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog on December 5th, 2005
Wifebeater came from the 1951 movie A Streetcar Named Desire/Marlon Brando who plays aguy who hits his wife and he wears it
by yayaya on March 13th, 2006
Oddly enough wife beaters are common among the black community.
by Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today on May 4th, 2007