The term “G-string” is instantly recognizable, conjuring images of skimpy attire often associated with burlesque dancers and swimwear. However, the origin of this peculiar name is far from straightforward, shrouded in speculation and lacking a definitive answer. The question of why it’s called a G-string leads us down a path through historical garments, linguistic theories, and the evolution of popular entertainment. Let’s delve into the discussions and theories surrounding this intriguing piece of clothing terminology.
Early Origins: The “Gee String” and Breechcloth
One of the earliest appearances of a similar term is “gee string,” used to describe a breechcloth or breech-clout. This term dates back to the late 19th century in America, particularly in descriptions of Native American attire.
1878, in Beadle’s Western Wilds, it’s written: “Around each boy’s waist is the tight geestring from which a single strip of cloth runs between the limbs from front to back.”
1891, Harper’s Magazine noted, “Some of the boys wore only ‘G-strings’ (as for some reason the breech-clout is commonly called on the prairie).”
Image alt text: Illustration from Beadle’s Western Wilds depicting Native American boys wearing gee strings, highlighting the historical context of the term.
These early references suggest that “gee string” was initially used to denote the functional rawhide band or strip of cloth that held a loincloth in place, a practical garment worn by Plains Indians. The dictionaries of Americanisms also support this historical usage.
Mitford Mathews, A Dictionary of Americanisms on Historical Principles (1951) defines “gee string” as “a breechclout or breech-cloth. Also G-string.”
Robert Chapman, New Dictionary of American Slang (1986) states “gee string or G-string n phr or n fr middle 1800s A breech-cloth, or brief covering for the genitals, worn especially by striptease dancers.”
This historical context establishes that the term, or at least a very similar precursor, was in use well before the modern understanding of a G-string as a scant piece of underwear. The “gee string” was associated with a basic, functional garment, quite different from the connotations it carries today.
The Transition to the Modern “G-String” and Striptease
The evolution of “gee string” from describing a breechcloth to the garment worn by striptease artists is less clearly documented, but some clues exist. By the early 20th century, we see the term appearing in contexts that hint at a shift towards its modern meaning.
A newspaper article from 1921 in The Strand (Coronado, California) offers a fascinating glimpse into this transition:
1921, The Strand reported on beach censors dealing with revealing swimwear: “Some of the beach queens were getting down to the fig leaf proposition and fig leaves this season are quite small. Consequently there was a grand display of legs and arms and spinal columns and shoulders and patella and torsos, to say the least… when a girl is discovered tastily clad in a gee string and a light sprinkling of tan, the coppess takes her to one side and sews on fringe.”
Image alt text: A newspaper clipping from 1921 discussing beach censorship and mentioning “gee string” in the context of revealing swimwear, illustrating the evolving usage of the term.
This article suggests “gee string” was already being used to describe very minimal swimwear, pushing the boundaries of modesty at the time. It acts as a bridge between the original breechcloth meaning and the later association with scantily clad performers.
By the 1930s, the “G-string” was firmly established in the lexicon of burlesque and striptease. An article from Breckenridge American in 1935 describes the Parisian nightlife scene:
1935, Breckenridge American described Parisian nightlife trends: “The famous French Can-Can… have given way to the G-string. Nude choruses and naked dancers are the only order of the day.”
Image alt text: A newspaper excerpt from 1935 reporting on the “G-string” becoming fashionable in Parisian nude revues, showcasing its emergence in the context of striptease.
This marks a clear association of “G-string” with the world of ecdysiast performances, solidifying its modern understanding. The garment had transformed from a practical loincloth band to a key element of a stripper’s attire.
Theories on the “G” in G-String
While the “string” part is quite self-explanatory, referring to the thin strips of material, the “G” remains a point of speculation. Several theories attempt to explain the prefix:
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Violin G String Theory: Hendrickson in The QPB Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins (2008) proposes a whimsical, though perhaps less likely, theory: “It could be that some fiddler in the West compared the heaviest of violin strings, the G string, to the length of sinew or gut the Indians tied around their waists to hold up their breechclouts.” This theory suggests a comparison between the thinness of a violin G string and the narrow band of a breechcloth.
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“Groin” Euphemism Theory: Hendrickson also offers a more plausible linguistic explanation: “Perhaps the g is just a euphemistic shortening of ‘groin,’ an indecent word at the time.” In this case, “G” would serve as a polite initial for a potentially taboo word, a common practice in euphemistic language.
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“G” Shape Theory: Don Wilmeth in The Language of American Popular Entertainment (1981) credits striptease artist Carrie Finnell with a different origin story. Ann Corio claimed Finnell said the term originated when she tossed the garment on her dressing table, and it fell into the shape of a “G.” While anecdotal, this theory offers a simple, visual explanation.
Image alt text: A G-string laid out in a slightly curved shape, visually suggesting the resemblance to the letter “G” as proposed by one etymological theory.
It’s important to note that these are theories, and definitive proof for any single origin of the “G” is lacking. The mystery surrounding the “G-string” name is part of its enduring intrigue.
Conclusion: An Enduring Enigma
In conclusion, the journey to understand why it’s called a G-string reveals a fascinating evolution of language and attire. Starting from the “gee string” breechcloth of the American West, the term transitioned through minimal swimwear descriptions to become synonymous with the revealing garment of striptease. While the exact reason for the “G” remains debated, theories ranging from violin strings to euphemistic initials offer possible explanations.
Ultimately, the true origin of “why is it called a G-string” might be lost to history, residing somewhere in the linguistic and cultural shifts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This lack of definitive origin, however, only adds to the allure and mystique of this curiously named garment. The G-string, in its evolution and etymological ambiguity, reflects a captivating slice of cultural and linguistic history.
