# The knitted winter hat - what do YOU call it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901 "2019-01-16T22:32:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/61 "2019-01-17T17:19:50Z")
It’s a hat. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/62 "2019-01-17T17:25:34Z")
> [@EscAlaMike](#): > > I think they were called beanies in Michigan, if I remember correctly. Not in this Michigan they aren’t. They’re “hats” or “knit hats” or “toques.” I’ve never heard them called beanies. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/63 "2019-01-17T17:28:07Z")
It’s a ski cap ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/64 "2019-01-17T17:36:16Z")
Knit hat. If it’s plain black or navy with a roll up brim, maybe a watch cap, but those don’t have any logos or embroidery on them. If there’s any logo or embroidery, it’s the \_\_\_\_ hat. Beanies should refer to a multi-colored hat with a propeller on it but can also be a (man-made fiber) thin running/athletic hat. Beanies, in & of themselves aren’t particularly warm but when you’re running, & sweating, they’re enough. However, I’d want something more to sit in the stadium for a cold football game. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/65 "2019-01-17T17:44:02Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > If Mike Nesmith was wearing it, I’d call it a “Wool Hat” (but I wouldn’t say it to his face 😃 ) > > Otherwise, I call them watch caps. For those who aren’t old as dirt I’ll[link to who Mike Nesmith](http://wikipicky.com/singer/michael-nesmith-wiki-bio-health-dead-or-alive-and-net-worth.html) is and a picture of him with his [signature wool hat](https://monkees.coolcherrycream.com/picturedb/clothes/woolhat?album=194&person=mike-nesmith). ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/66 "2019-01-17T17:56:37Z")
Stocking hat or winter hat. Live in and grew up in Michigan, fyi. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/67 "2019-01-17T18:36:50Z")
You’re all wrong is in the lead! So it’s not a toboggan, a toque, a stocking cap, or beanie. Say it with me … SKI CAP. Woo-hoo! ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/68 "2019-01-17T19:30:35Z")
Skull cap ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/69 "2019-01-17T19:51:29Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Thirding the Aussie beanie. > > In fact they are compulsory head-gear when [attending a footy game.](https://www.aflfootyshop.com.au/clothing/beanies) We can’t take any of you Antipodean lot seriously until you start putting your thongs in the proper location. Up your butt like the rest of us. 😃 Also, Toque or tuque. The rest of you are flat out wrong. BTW, It was -32C this morning and I had mine on, so I’m a little cranky. Why do I live in this stupid climate? ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/70 "2019-01-17T20:20:17Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > We can’t take any of you Antipodean lot seriously until you start putting your thongs in the proper location. Up your butt like the rest of us. 😃 > > Also, Toque or tuque. The rest of you are flat out wrong. BTW, It was -32C this morning and I had mine on, so I’m a little cranky. Why do I live in this stupid climate? I feel your pain. I have spent a significant amount of time knitting these for family and friends this year - they are toques. With a Pompom ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/71 "2019-01-17T20:30:59Z")
[A cunning hat](http://bectonliterary.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/jayne-hat.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/72 "2019-01-17T23:23:36Z")
Beanie is what we called in in the Black Hills of South Dakota. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Hapax\_Legomenon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8c91f0/32.png) [@Hapax\_Legomenon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hapax_Legomenon)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/73 "2019-01-17T23:48:46Z")
‘Watch cap’ if it has no tassel, or ‘knit cap’ if it does. To me, ‘stocking cap’ implies a wig cap or durag. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/74 "2019-01-17T23:52:28Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > Skull cap A skull cap, to me, is much shallower than that. This thread shows me how much I don’t know about American regionalisms. I thought I was pretty good with them, but this is all new to me! I’ve never heard of a toque (or, rather, the word looks vaguely familiar, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you what it was); a toboggan is a sled–never in a million years would I think it referred to a hat; and a beanie is a completely different type of cap–a seamed one-- popularly portrayed with a propeller, but doesn’t have to have one (though, honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a beanie in the wild–it’s more like a first half of the 20th century fashion thing.) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/75 "2019-01-18T00:05:03Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > A skull cap, to me, is much shallower than that. > > This thread shows me how much I don’t know about American regionalisms. I thought I was pretty good with them, but this is all new to me! I’ve never heard of a toque (or, rather, the word looks vaguely familiar, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you what it was); a toboggan is a sled–never in a million years would I think it referred to a hat; and a beanie is a completely different type of cap–a seamed one-- popularly portrayed with a propeller, but doesn’t have to have one (though, honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a beanie in the wild–it’s more like a first half of the 20th century fashion thing.) I agree with all these. To me, the word “toque” means an old-fashioned brimless fancy woman’s hat – [![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toque#/media/File:Dolores_del_R%C3%ADo1.jpg) ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toque#/media/File:Dolores_del_R%C3%ADo1.jpg) And it rhymes with “poke,” not “fluke.” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/76 "2019-01-18T00:10:26Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I agree with all these. > > To me, the word “toque” means an old-fashioned brimless fancy woman’s hat – > > [Toque - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toque#/media/File:Dolores_del_R%C3%ADo1.jpg) > > And it rhymes with “poke,” not “fluke.” Wait. Is “toque” as in regards to the knitted caps pronounced “tuke”? Another thing I would never have guessed! ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/77 "2019-01-18T00:45:16Z")
In my house, we say “warm hat” or possibly “winter hat”. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/78 "2019-01-18T02:04:51Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I agree with all these. Same. I’ve heard “watch cap” and associate it with longshoremen and pea jackets, but that’s about it. > [@](#): > > To me, the word “toque” means an old-fashioned brimless fancy woman’s hat – > > [Toque - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toque#/media/File:Dolores_del_R%C3%ADo1.jpg) > > And it rhymes with “poke,” not “fluke.” Here, I’m afraid, We part company. 🙂 “Toque” means a soft knitted winter headgear, easily stuffed in one’s pocket and pulled out when it’s a bit chilly. And every Canadian parent yells to the departing kidlet, “Don’t forget your toque and mitts!” “Aw, Dad, I don’t need them.” “Yes you do! At least, put them in your pockets!” ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/79 "2019-01-18T02:06:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Wait. Is “toque” as in regards to the knitted caps pronounced “tuke”? Another thing I would never have guessed! Correct. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/80 "2019-01-18T02:12:44Z")
> [@](#): > > Oh please. You Canadians can’t even decide how to spell “toque”. Of course we can. It’s spelt “toque” in English, “tuque” in French, and pronounced “tuke” (more or less ) in both languages. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901.md?page=5)