"Skips" in Australian Slang: Men's Underwear

In Australian slang, "skips" (or "skip") refers to men's underpants or briefs—specifically the traditional Y-front or brief style.

Usage

• "I need to buy new skips."
• "He was standing there in his skips."
• "Budgie smugglers" = tight swim briefs (Speedos); "skips" = everyday cotton briefs.

Origin

Likely from "skip" = to skip/dance lightly → "skipping around in your undies" → metonymy for the garment itself. Or possibly rhyming slang ("skip and jump" → "bum"?), but less documented.

Regional & Generational Notes

• Common across Australia, especially older generations.
• Younger Aussies may say "jocks," "undies," "briefs," "boxers," "trunks."
• "Skivvies" = undershirt/vest (US: underwear generally).

So if an Aussie bloke says "me skips are in the wash," he's talking about his briefs.