# What is this pocket/buttonhole for? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 29, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518 "2005-12-29T00:33:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518/1 "2005-12-29T00:33:54Z")
I got a Columbia Sportswear Hart Mountain Hoodie for Christmas [http://www.columbia.com/products/pr\_detail.cfm?product\_id=4302&row=3#](http://www.columbia.com/products/pr_detail.cfm?product_id=4302&row=3#) It has two pockets, with openings on the sides. Inside the right pocket is another pocket, with the opeining on top. On the inside of this pocket, (i.e the side closest to the wearer) there is a hole, that is there on purpose (stitching around the hole) It is roughly teardropped shaped (point upwards) What is the purpose of this hole/pocket? thanks, Brian ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518/2 "2005-12-29T00:46:51Z")
Hmm… Maybe the pocket is for an mp3 player or iPod, and the hole is for the earphone cord. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518/3 "2005-12-29T01:04:56Z")
Yeah, not knowing the sizes of these pockets, that’d be my guess. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518/4 "2005-12-29T01:27:48Z")
That is possible. The side pockets are roughly 6 inches square. The inside pocket is roughly 3 inches square. Brian ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518/5 "2005-12-29T03:11:48Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > What is the purpose of this hole/pocket? thanks, Brian WAG Pocket watch? Cell phone? Mid-trail granola bars? Pet mouse? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518/6 "2005-12-29T06:00:31Z")
Those all sound like solid guesses. I’d add something like ski lift passes on a cord, or a keychain that won’t let go when you’re tumbling down a hill. In my father’s day, suit trousers often had an inner pocket just right to hold a Zippo lighter. Time brings change. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-pocket-buttonhole-for/337518/7 "2005-12-29T06:22:25Z")
No no no, you’re all wrong. You know the holes where the draw string for the hood comes out… it’s a spare _string_hole.