A third, related theory suggests a derivation from the more vulgar French word "cul" (which can be used to refer to the bottom or genital area). During this era, women (including dancers) wore pantalettes as underwear, which were open at the crotch. The abonnés favoured the very front rows in the hope of a scandalous view, and the skirt was modified for that reason. This is supported by the description by nineteenth-century balletomane, Charles Nuitter, who defined "tutu" as "a slang term for the very short petticoat worn by "danseuses" in the interest of modesty."