Long underwear, often called long johns, is a style of two-piece underwear with long sleeves and long pantlegs that is normally worn during cold weather. Modern long underwear has largely supplanted the traditional union suit. It is usually made from a cotton or cotton-polyester blend fabric with a box-weave texture, although some varieties are also made from flannel, particularly the union suit, while many newer varieties are made from polypropylene, such as the Capilene trade name.
The type known as "thermal underwear" is made from two-ply fabric, which uses trapped body heat to insulate against cold air. Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford has been credited with inventing thermal underwear. The two-piece design is credited to Truro, Nova Scotia-native Frank Stanfield of Stanfield's Limited on 7 December 1915. Long underwear are also less commonly known as "long handles".
Etymology
According to Michael Quinion,[1] "John" may be a reference to boxer John L. Sullivan, who was known to wear a similar garment in the ring. However, this explanation is uncertain and the word's origin is ultimately unknown. Many Nova Scotians credit the term "Long Johns" to John Stanfield. Son of Charles Stanfield, brother of Frank Stanfield, and co-founder of Stanfield's Limited located in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada.
