# Clothes make the Canadian **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 22, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602 "2011-03-22T13:46:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/1 "2011-03-22T13:46:37Z")
Or, insert your geographical locale… I have a thread going about my son’s budding aweness of girls which has lead to a discussion of “gitch”/“gonch” and various permutations. In another thread I mention having to take the hood down off my hoodie. I almost asked if anyone calls them “bunnyhugs”, although that’s mainly a Saskachewan thing. (I lived in Winnipeg for a while and worked with some transplanted Saskachewaners enough that I will call them bunnyhugs occasionally.) I of course wear touques and Nipigon Nylons when weather requires. Every Canuck worth his/her roadsalt has at one time or another owned a pair of Sorrells or Kodiaks. But surely not all our specialty clothing is soley for winter? Do we have other geographical names for clothing that call us out as Canadians. Also, in the interests of multiculturalism, Australians, Kiwis, and others are welcome to chime in with names for clothes in their places. (I will be back after I roll up the rim and win…) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/2 "2011-03-22T14:24:20Z")
Not sure if it’s a regionalism, or even a Canadianism, but I’ll offer “lumberjackets.” That’s what we called them when I was a teen in Ontario. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/3 "2011-03-22T14:27:13Z")
Do you wear choppers? ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/4 "2011-03-22T14:45:59Z")
Atlantic Canadian here: “gitch”/“gonch” and various permutations. - Nope. First time hearing of them was that thread. “bunnyhugs” - Nope Nipigon Nylons - Nope. Windbreaker is the closest I can think of. Sorrells or Kodiaks - Nope. Winter boots I presume? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/5 "2011-03-22T14:57:07Z")
I heard “gonch” in the movie Ginger Snaps. It means…um…lady crotch, right? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/6 "2011-03-22T15:01:07Z")
> [@Anonymous\_Coward](#): > > Sorrells or Kodiaks - Nope. Winter boots I presume? Yep. Sorels are amazing; your feet never get cold or wet in those. “Kodiak” may be interesting though. I know that Greb (which makes Kodiaks) makes winter boots, and sells some of them under the “Kodiak” brand name; but to me, Kodiaks will only ever be work boots: steel-toed, steel-soled, and CSA-certified. But while they satisfy the requirements for safety footwear, they aren’t really winter boots–when that steel gets cold, so does your foot. Nothing like Sorels, certainly. So another question: which Canadians see Kodiaks as winter boots, and which see them as work boots? (And as per **Anonymous Coward** ’s question, who has never heard of them?) ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/7 "2011-03-22T15:01:49Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I heard “gonch” in the movie Ginger Snaps. It means…um…lady crotch, right? It means underpants. It was gonch for me in Calgary. I wore a kangaroo, not a bunnyhug or a hoodie. It’s a hoodie now. ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/8 "2011-03-22T15:06:59Z")
Sorels are amazing. Pretty sure everyone I know has either owned a pair, owns a pair, or aspires to own a pair after their current boots die. It’s gitch/gonch interchangeably out here in the East as well. Although I’ve only heard it for men’s underwear. But everybody wears their toques in the winter! And everybody owns a pair of Stanfields! At least one pair, if not several. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/9 "2011-03-22T15:07:57Z")
Standard plaid lumberjack shirt = Kenora Dinner Jacket Fleece lined water-proof raincoat = Tofino Dinner Jacket. Kodiaks are hard core work boots as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never owned a pair of Sorels. We used to get the felt-lined boots from the New System Store in Brandon, and replace the felts every couple of years. I loved my old grey leather moccasins, at least partly because it was like wearing a pair of skates indoors. Warm feet, but absolutely no traction whatsoever. ‘Ever wonder what the world would be like without friction?’ asked the classic Coronet film - nope, I’ve worn moccasins for the last 4 months; I’m wondering what friction would be like. Oh, and it’s ‘gauch(e)’ where I grew up. Said like ‘gotch’, but spelled different. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/10 "2011-03-22T15:31:25Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Not sure if it’s a regionalism, or even a Canadianism, but I’ll offer “lumberjackets.” That’s what we called them when I was a teen in Ontario. I think that’s an Easty thing. In B.C., we call one of those a “Macintosh” or (more commonly) just a “Mac.” (This led me to some provincial confusion and inappropriate visualization, the first time I read _Ulysses_.) How can a Macintosh be brown, anyway? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/11 "2011-03-22T15:33:10Z")
> [@gregorio](#): > > It means underpants. > > It was gonch for me in Calgary. I wore a kangaroo, not a bunnyhug or a hoodie. It’s a hoodie now. Ohh. Well, that scene just got like ten times less hot! ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/12 "2011-03-22T16:38:42Z")
Nipigon Nylons=Grey work socks, with red or orange stripes at the top. Sorels are the best. Kodiaks are workboots to me but some call any winter boots Kodiaks. I think its a regionalism but not sure what region. I like the Tofino dinner jacket. I have never heard the term but new instantly of what you spoke. And Stanfields. Of course, Stanfields. McGregors… does anyone think of dress socks as such? My dad had certain patterned dress socks (not tartan or anything) that he always called his McGregors, and he always got a few pairs from my brother and I for Christmas when we were kids. Of course McGregors made many kinds of socks but does anyone else know what I mean? ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/13 "2011-03-22T16:54:19Z")
> [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](#): > > I have a thread going about my son’s budding **aweness** of girls which has lead to a discussion of “gitch”/“gonch” and various permutations. Heck I’m almost 40 years old and I still have budding aweness of girls (well really women in my case). ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/14 "2011-03-22T18:16:51Z")
I am continually confused by old farmers who wear both a belt and suspenders, and their beer guts still hang out over the pants. My dad is notorious for this. I think this combo needs to be named the ‘Ukrainian Underwear’ or something. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/15 "2011-03-22T18:45:31Z")
Prarie pant-holders? Ukrainian Under-ups? Gutgarters? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/16 "2011-03-22T20:07:14Z")
I learned from my husband just this weekend that wearing jean jackets is somewhat of a Canadian thing - I don’t think I have any name for them other than jean jackets, though. Your big workboots are usually shit-kickers or clodhoppers, but I think that’s universal, isn’t it? I also still say bunnyhugs. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/17 "2011-03-22T20:27:35Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I learned from my husband just this weekend that wearing jean jackets is somewhat of a Canadian thing - I don’t think I have any name for them other than jean jackets, though. > > Your big workboots are usually shit-kickers or clodhoppers, but I think that’s universal, isn’t it? > > I also still say bunnyhugs. 🙂 Well if you wear a certain cut of jean jacket with matching blue jeans you might be wearing what we called a “Westfort tuxedo” in my end of town. (Having said that, now **muffin** will probably come in and make a Current River dig at me…) ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/18 "2011-03-22T20:40:04Z")
I believe the blue jeans plus denim shirt plus jean jacket combo is referred to as the “Truro tuxedo” out here. I have actually seen it in the wild. Once. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/19 "2011-03-22T20:46:48Z")
> [@apollonia](#): > > I believe the blue jeans \*\*\*plus denim shirt \*\*\*plus jean jacket combo is referred to as the “Truro tuxedo” out here. I have actually seen it in the wild. Once. Bolded italics mine. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![cardinal\_fang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal_fang/32/15316_2.png) [@cardinal\_fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardinal_fang)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602/20 "2011-03-23T02:15:18Z")
> [@gregorio](#): > > It was gonch for me in Calgary. I wore a kangaroo, not a bunnyhug or a hoodie. It’s a hoodie now. Yep, same here – gonch and kangaroo jacket (Calgary). > [@kushiel](#): > > I am continually confused by old farmers who wear both a belt and suspenders, and their beer guts still hang out over the pants. My dad is notorious for this. I think this combo needs to be named the ‘Ukrainian Underwear’ or something. Reminds me of a fellow I once met with this affliction. The conversation went something like: _Him (patting his gut)_: Dunlop! _Me (playing along)_: Oh, I get it. It’s because it’s your spare tire, right? _Him (Texas accent)_: Nope. My gut Dunlop over my belt! > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I learned from my husband just this weekend that wearing jean jackets is somewhat of a Canadian thing - I don’t think I have any name for them other than jean jackets, though. Does anyone remember Storm Riders? Levi’s made a blanket-lined jean jacket with a corduroy collar (or a _leather_ collar if you were uber-cool). Perfect for winter. 😃 Other items: [ul] [li]Woods jacket. Those [puffy down jackets](http://www.buachaille.com/images/The-North-Face-Quantum-Nuptse.jpg) that came back in style a while ago. Somehow, the ones back in the day were much uglier. I believe “Woods” was the name of the company. Usage: “I’m gettin’ a Woods for Christmas.”[/li][li]“Snowmobile boots.” Cheap, clunky felt-lined boots with zippers and a string-tie up top. Kind of like [this](http://i.oodleimg.com/item/2260352064u_0x480x360f?1295493449), but no fancy logo (unless Woolco counts as a fancy logo).[/li][/ul] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-make-the-canadian/575602.md?page=2)