[Marc]

Pupils in the US state of Tennessee may once have been told to pull their socks up, but now it is their low-slung trousers that need to be raised.

State MPs have passed a bill that prohibits students from showing underwear or body parts in an indecent manner.

Unlike a recent bill that failed, enforcement does not require a ruler - to measure how low someone's trousers are sitting - or carry penalties of up to £157 and community service.

However, it does allow Tennessee's school districts to decide punishments for those with saggy trousers and clothes that show too much skin on school property.

Asked about the proposed law, student Trina Sanders said: "Everybody should dress how they wanna dress, it's a free country."

But schoolmate Aisha Williams added: "Then again... we don't wanna see your underwear."

The bill passed overwhelmingly in the state's senate and house of representatives, and now requires the governor's signature.

If approved, the law would take effect on July 1.

The fashion craze, made popular by hip hop artists, originated in US prisons where inmates had their belts taken away so they could not be used as weapons or suicide aids. The claim that the look came from prison inmates signalling their sexual availability is believed to be urban legend.

Amazing.

I never understood why guys wore they're trousers low and showed their boxers?