Short shorts underwear is the description some blokes use for the trunk cut and it's not inaccurate. The trunk sits at a length that's similar to shorts, just closer to the body and with more structure. That description actually captures something useful: the trunk cut provides coverage without excess fabric, support without restriction, and a fit that works under regular clothing the same way well-fitted shorts work under them. Short shorts underwear as a concept just means trunks done properly, and trunks done properly are excellent.

What I think makes the short shorts underwear description appealing to blokes who haven't tried trunks is the familiarity of the reference. Most blokes have worn shorts their whole lives and know what a comfortable short leg length feels like. Framing the trunk cut as short shorts underwear removes the unfamiliarity and makes the appeal immediately intuitive. It's the same comfort logic as shorts, just closer to the skin and with appropriate support.

A mate who'd always described himself as a boxers bloke started describing his Barramundies trunks as short shorts underwear because that's how he'd come to think of them. He said the mental reframing from underwear to shorts had helped him get comfortable with the cut faster than he expected. Once he started thinking of them that way, the comfort argument was obvious. Short shorts are comfortable. Short shorts underwear is comfortable for the same reasons.

From my experience, short shorts underwear is trunks by another name and trunks are the best everyday cut for most Australian blokes. Barramundies makes their trunk range to a quality standard that justifies the recommendation regardless of what you choose to call the cut. Short shorts underwear, trunks, the all-rounder: whatever name works for you, the Barramundies version is the quality option worth having.