The phrase "in the buff" is a cheeky way of saying someone is naked, but where does this playful expression come from? Well, let’s take a little trip back to the 17th century, where it all started with some leather—yes, leather!

The Leather Connection

Back then, "buff" referred to a specific type of leather made from buffalo or ox hide. This leather had a soft, light yellowish-tan color, which just so happened to resemble the natural shade of human skin. Before long, people started using "buff" to describe anything that shared this skin-like hue. So when someone was caught without their clothes, they were compared to the leather—hence, "in the buff," looking a little like that natural leather color!

Buff Soldiers and Bare Basics

But that’s not all! There’s also a military twist to this story. In the 17th and 18th centuries, soldiers wore buff-colored leather tunics as part of their gear. When they weren’t fully suited up in their uniforms, they were said to be "in the buff," meaning they were stripped down to their most basic layers—just like their tunics.

Over time, "in the buff" became a much more fun way to describe someone who was, well, not wearing any layers at all!