speedos

English

Etymology

From Speedos (“trademark of the Speedo company”), which has become a generic name.

Alternative forms

• Speedos

Noun

speedos

1. Plural form of speedo
2. (North America, Australia, New Zealand, usually plural) A men′s tight fitting brief swimsuit.
   • 1979, Kent Pearson, Surfing Subcultures of Australia and New Zealand, University of Queensland Press, page 118,

     For example, board riders paid more attention to appearances (short hair v long hair, speedos v board shorts) and conspicuous behavior (surfing for training rather than for fun or to express oneself), than life savers.

   • 2000 July, Ian Jack (editor), Granta, Issue 70: Australia: The New New World, ISBN 1-929001-00-2, page 42,

     I remember my mother standing exasperated in the rain with the brolly over her head at dusk while I frog-kicked around in my speedos.

   • 2006, Margaret Henderson, Marking Feminist Times: Remembering the Longest Revolution in Australia, page 212,

     Their club is Manly, and this word is emblazoned across the back of their speedos.

Synonyms

• (swimming briefs): See also Wikisaurus:swim briefs.

Anagrams

• deposes