The construction of the pyramids, the nature of dark matter, and the little hole on the front of boxer shorts. These are some of the greatest and most enduring mysteries of our time.

Fortunately, we are able to shed some light on the latter of those three enigmas.

Underwear brand Sheath has recently spilled the beans on why they put holes in the front of boxer shorts. Technically known as a fly, they say one of its prime purposes is simply to allow guys to easily whip out their penis to urinate without pulling down their boxers – who would have thought!

"The hole in your boxers is also called a fly,” the underwear brand explained on their website.

"You're free to call them whatever name you want, but the functional term is still fly. Why is it there? You guessed it! The purpose of the fly is to make it easier for you to pee while wearing boxers."

However, Sheath also cites a poll that suggests just 1 in 5 boxer-wearers actually use the hole for this purpose. They suggest that the fly might also have another function in modern-day boxers: to provide comfort and support to the nether regions. 

They explain: "Today's modern underwear is nothing like what men wore even a few decades ago.”

"The actual pouch where the fly is located has also been changing drastically. In the past, this area used to be flat. This design does not give the man a natural way for his penis to be contoured. Thankfully, men today have a better option. New boxer briefs and men's briefs have a design that actually has a roomier pouch. This new pouch design gives the man more definition, comfort, support, and freedom,” they add.

Another mystery solved. Knowledge is power.

See also: Bleached Patches On Your Underwear Are Perfectly Normal, Vagina Museum Explains