# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/101 "2019-01-19T03:37:54Z")
Fuzzy skull condoms. Also, for anybody side-eyeing the regionalism “tossle”, it probably originated as a variant of “tassel”? Which, like a pompom, is something frequently worn on the crown of a hat. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/102 "2019-01-19T04:03:23Z")
What would you call the hat Michael Parks wore in Then Came Bronson? ---
**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 19, 2019, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/103 "2019-01-19T05:38:01Z")
Toque. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/104 "2019-01-19T14:24:32Z")
Husband calls them sock hats. Interesting question though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/105 "2019-01-19T16:19:53Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It’s a [Watch Cap](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=watch+cap&hvadid=3527171874&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_57dnav9y2l_e) That’s what the Navy calls them. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/106 "2019-01-19T16:48:29Z")
I don’t remember ever wearing one as a kid, and I wouldn’t dream of doing that to my hair now. Stocking cap, ski hat, dorky thing. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/107 "2019-01-19T18:14:50Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > I’d call it a ski cap or more simply a winter hat. > > I’m familiar with the word “toque” through my Canadian relatives, but wouldn’t call a winter hat that; to me a toque is the hat shown in this picture (of a sign near me): [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/389350330262297564/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/389350330262297564/). A beanie has a propellor, a toboggan is a sled, and “stocking cap” is more of a Santa-style hat. Agreed that a beanie is a skullcap that often has a propellor, toboggan is a runnerless snow ride. I know Canadians call it a toque, but that is what a chef wears (and the sign near you is cool). Stocking cap is what Waldo wears, but it gets the idea of being knitted or crocheted across. To be a watch cap, it has to look serious and be dark navy or taupe or something. So I go with stocking cap or knit winter cap. Hat I think of as made of a non-knitted or crocheted fabric, and with a brim. ---
**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 19, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/108 "2019-01-19T19:57:30Z")
So we need a do-over with at least all these choices — Beanie Bobble hat Cap Hat Knit cap Knitted hat Navy watch cap Pompom Ski cap Ski hat Skull cap Sock hat Stocking cap Stocking hat Tassel hat Tobbogan Toque Tossle cap Tossle hat Tuque Warm hat Watch cap Winter hat Wool cap Wool hat Woolly hat ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/109 "2019-01-19T21:34:35Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > So we need a do-over with at least all these choices — > > Beanie > Bobble hat > Cap > Hat > Knit cap > Knitted hat > Navy watch cap > Pompom > Ski cap > Ski hat > Skull cap > Sock hat > Stocking cap > Stocking hat > Tassel hat > Tobbogan > Toque > Tossle cap > Tossle hat > Tuque > Warm hat > Watch cap > Winter hat > Wool cap > Wool hat > Woolly hat And pie; one choice should always be pie. ---
**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 19, 2019, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/110 "2019-01-19T22:05:45Z")
By the way, in my view, “hat” is a misnomer for these things. They’re all caps. For me, the essentially difference between a hat and a cap is that a hat tends to be more sculpted. That is, it has its own shape, with some degree of permanence. Whereas, a cap is fitted to follow the natural shape of your head. This definition isn’t hard-and-fast, however, because that would make modern professional baseball caps a type of hat. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/111 "2019-01-19T22:32:13Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > By the way, in my view, “hat” is a misnomer for these things. They’re all caps. > > (snip) Yes. A stocking cap. Toques and beanies and watch caps, forsooth… ---
**Author:** ![BlueInfinity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BlueInfinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueInfinity)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/112 "2019-01-20T12:12:43Z")
I tend towards “winter hat” for simplicity, but have no problem with “knit cap.” “Stocking caps” need a tail and usually a pom pom. “Ski hats” are thicker and usually go lower down on the head. “Beanies” should have nothing to do with this discussion, they have more stiff sides (felt, etc.) and usually aren’t designed with insulation in mind. ---
**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 20, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/113 "2019-01-20T17:40:16Z")
I was just reminded that in Indian English this is called a “monkey cap.” Another one for the list! ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/114 "2019-01-20T23:43:37Z")
I have never heard the word “toque” until this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/115 "2019-01-21T00:06:08Z")
> [@campp](#): > > I have never heard the word “toque” until this thread. The only time I’ve heard it before was from Bob and Doug MacKenzie. Specifically, their version of _Twelve Days of Christmas_: “Five gooooolden toooooques!” ---
**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 21, 2019, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/116 "2019-01-21T00:38:36Z")
A toque is what you pull out of your pocket and pop on your head when your ears are getting cold as you kneel in the snow in front of your car repairing the plug on your block heater from the most recent pull-away damage. It is a very Canadian thing. ---
**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 21, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/117 "2019-01-21T00:39:37Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I was just reminded that in Indian English this is called a “monkey cap." Why ? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/118 "2019-01-21T01:05:01Z")
It’s a toque (in a typical Eglish spelling muddle, pronounced to rhyme with ‘fluke’). There are several styles: stretchy and fits snug to the head; stretchy and fits snug to the head, but has a pom, sometimes on a point of variable size; and stretchy and fits snug to the head, but has earflaps with braids that hang down. A hat with fur (real or fake) and earflaps that can be pinned up is not a toque; I’m not sure what the official term is, but I think of it as a “Russian fur hat”. Torques may or may not be fashionable, but they are vital pieces of survival equipment when it is -19C and snowing fine powder persistently on a gusty wind, and you are waiting for the bus to Toronto… ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/119 "2019-01-21T01:13:19Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Given the relative absence of snow here, that no Aussie kid in history has ever worn a propeller cap except at gunpoint, and finally in Strine the use of latin and french words are \*non de rigueur \*they are known here without exception as [beanies](https://aflvic.com.au/fightmnd-beanies-on-sale/). > > Why would you want to use two words when one does the job? Toque. Why would you want to use two syllables when one will do? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901/120 "2019-01-21T01:19:42Z")
touche’ 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knitted-winter-hat-what-do-you-call-it/827901.md?page=7)