<P> Going commando, or free - balling for males and free - buffing for females, is the practice of not wearing underpants under clothes . </P> <P> Certain types of clothes, such as cycling shorts, some ordinary shorts such as Bermuda shorts, also, jogging pants, kilts and sarongs, are designed to be worn or are traditionally worn without underwear . This also applies for most clothes worn as swimwear, sportswear or nightwear . </P> <P> In Chile, the act of not wearing underwear has been called "andar a lo gringo" (to go gringo - style) for decades . </P>

Where did the expression going commando come from