Sheldon Lee Cooper, Union Suit Fan in the Limelight

Unless you are well-to-do and own your very own (or you are a patron of vintage clothing stores) you probably have rented a tuxedo for a wedding, prom or some other formal occasion. But did you ever wonder about who had worn your rented tuxedo before you?! Was sanitizing part of the dry cleaning process through which these “monkey suits” go through? Or are some dude's germs left behind to attack you.

One solution is to go without a tux. Remember this kid featured in an earlier "Union Suit Fan" posting? He solved the problem of renting a germ laden tuxedo. He just didn't get one for his senior prom. He wore a sports jacket over his underwear. In his case, a long-handled union suit and boots was the chosen attire. He picked up his girl friend and was simply off to a night of teenage bliss! A sight and night to remember.

In the hit TV series, “The Big Bang Theory” Sheldon certainly thought about it. This highly intelligent germophobe, played by actor Jim Parsons, not only thought about it, he obsessed over it. So, much so, he thought of the perfect solution. He decided to wear a union suit under his rented tux and be well protected.

Come to think of it, a union suit might act as your sort of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in this time of COVID-19 concern, remembering to wear a mask and practice social distancing

“The Launch Acceleration,” the twenty-third episode in season five, aired on May 3, 2012. Sheldon and his friends visit a tuxedo shop to be fitted for Howard's wedding to Bernadette. Sheldon is convinced germs breed in rental clothes. 

He is disturbed by the very thought so had decided to wear his union suit for protection against catching a disease. A guy can't be too careful. The result is one of the funniest episodes of a very funny, offbeat television series. He looked ridiculous in his long red underwear and brown shoes!

Sheldon thought he looked debonair upon viewing his red underwear showing under his shirt. He was reminded of his favorite comic book hero, The Flash. After all, didn't The Flash run around saving the world in his bright red long underwear with the yellow lightening strike on the front? Yes! Sheldon was all set!

So, the next time you rent a tuxedo, better protect yourself by wearing a union suit underneath! No sense taking any chances. Your briefs or boxer shorts just don't offer the same protection!!

The Big Bang Theory, a Warner Brothers / Chuck Lorre Productions, was televised on the CBS network for twelve seasons beginning September 24, 2007.