3/24/08

Brit' Word of the Day....

Today's BWOTD is actually more a lesson in a particular item of popular clothing.

Here you call this item a Sweater, but of course us Brit's have more than one word to cover this, as we do most things!

So here are other words we commonly use for Sweater:

Jersey - also a small island off the UK and a breed of Cow
Jumper - and I have no idea why!
Pullover - because you pull it over other things and your head!
Cardie/Cardigan - sweater with buttons and a lovely Bay in Wales
Polo neck - known as a Turtle neck here

So all I need to tell you now, is the FAVE place to buy a great value, decent sweater/jumper/jersey/pullover/polo neck/cardie in the UK is Marks & Sparks (aka: M&S) (aka: Marks & Spencer) (do you see a trend here with Brit's and names?!) and you are all set for your shopping trip in the UK!

6 comments:

Pam said...

Oh let me tell you, that jumper thing has caused lots of confusion for me over the years. To us, a jumper is sort of an over-dress that you would need to wear a blouse underneath. And of course, the Brits say it like "jumpah" which just confuses us more. My sister-in-law said once that she is so English that she was born with a cardigan.

Unknown said...

And I have no idea where 'jumper' comes from, such a strange thing to call them!

LOL at your SIL, that's kind of the typical view of an English lady - cardie/twinset & pearls!

Anonymous said...

We also call a "jumper" some one who leaps off of tall structures to their death. So I can see how that can cause some confusion.

Expat mum said...

Also "gansie" which my gran used to say. I think it's a derivation of Guernsey, which is a specific type of sweater.

Pam said...

WOW, I am very interested to hear more about Gansey. **BECAUSE** that is a family name on my mother's side and was even my grandfather's middle name. We've been a little weak on that family search line but to see that word pop up today was interesting. hmmmmmm.

Unknown said...

Ok now I am digging deep into my memory here, but I am pretty sure Guernsey (also a Channel Island like Jersey) was a term used for a particular type and style of sweater fisherman wore, it even had a slightly oily coating I think to repel water!

As I say that's far back in the recesses of my memory!