# Melvin

/ˈmɛɫvɪn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/melvin
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a mean trick where someone pulls your underwear up high from behind. It is a childish and painful prank often shown in movies about school life.

For teachers: a prank involving the forceful upward pulling of a person's underpants from the front, causing physical discomfort. Often contrasted with the 'wedgie', which is performed from the rear.

## Examples

- The school bully gave the poor kid a melvin.
- In many 1980s teen comedies, the protagonist often suffers a melvin at the hands of the popular athletes.
- While the wedgie remains the more culturally ubiquitous prank, the melvin is regarded as significantly more painful due to the sensitive nature of the anatomy affected by the forward pull.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.