Another Canadian here. I mostly agree, and certainly “sweater” and “sweatshirt” are two completely different things.
But “sweater” isn’t necessarily something that’s knitted, nor is it necessarily made of wool. The distinction I make is that a sweater is anything worn over a shirt that isn’t obviously a suit jacket, vest, or outdoor jacket. Its basic purpose is to keep you warmer than a shirt alone would, and is often patterned in different colours. What it’s made of is irrelevant.
FWIW, I haven’t worn a sweater in years. Especially now that I’m older, I’m grateful for air conditioning in the summer, and for open windows in the winter!
But you guys have heard hockey jerseys referred to as sweaters, right? Gringo here, and I have often heard such a usage from our friends up north. (Flyers fan, don’t judge me.)
I have, though I much prefer to call them jerseys. But by my definition of a sweater (anything you pull on over a shirt) a hockey jersey is a sweater, just a special kind. I forgot to mention that the other essential characteristic of a sweater is that it has no zipper or buttons – it’s a pullover worn over a shirt.
I noted that upthread, as well, though my impression is that “hockey sweater” seems to be falling out of favor as a term, even among Canadians, in favor of “jersey.” It also sounds like the term originally came into being for a heavier, warmer sort of sweater/jersey, which was worn while playing hockey on outdoor rinks in the middle of Canadian winters.
Most of my life has been spent on the Prairies, and bunny hug is specific to Saskatchewan.
I’ve never heard anyone refer to a sweatshirt as a sweater, which the me is a knit pullover style usually woolen garment. If it has fasteners it’s a cardigan.
Hockey sweater is rare, and I’ve never heard them referred to as just sweater alone.
No, I’m sorry. As a resident of Saskatchewan I can speak authoritatively on this matter, and bunnyhugs are always and only hooded sweatshirts, preferably pullovers though zip-ups do qualify as well. Anything knitted is not a bunnyhug.
