I was a li'l nonplussed to find out that the word wifebeater can mean other things besides "a man who beats up his wife". Its definition reads:
- One who (usually as a repeated practice) beats one’s wife, or a husband prone to violence 2. A kind of sleeveless shirt, often but not exclusively worn as an undershirt. 3. (uncountable, UK, slang) Stella Artois, a brand of lager beer.
ODO reckons that sense 2 is American and originates "apparently from the association of such a garment with men who commit domestic violence". It does not register the UK slang. I'm guessing that Stellas also have an unfortunate association with domestic violence.
Are these alternative senses popular in their respective countries or are they perhaps nonce words that have lingered on? Any idea how these disparaging associations came about? I expect that the brewers of Stella Artois are none too happy about it.