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Is it butt naked or buck naked?

In: Idioms and Slang [Edit categories]

Answer:

"It is both. The word "buck" or "buff" is thought to be from the color of a buckskin, which is the pale tan color of European skin - this gives you "buck naked" and "in the buff." "Butt naked" refers to the fact that your buttocks are not covered."

I have always heard it "buck naked". I don't think it refers to any color at all; the phrase was originally meant to compare one to an "Indian buck" as the men were called many years ago in a less politically correct age. They were commonly thought to be "naked savages", whether they were in fact or not. Thus, "buck naked" implied being without clothing.

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First answer by Darksyde. Last edit by Puggo. Contributor trust: 2 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 38 [recommend question].

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Sources and related links: [Edit]

buck-naked. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

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