Sweater
A sweater (North American English) or pullover, also called a jersey or jumper (British English and Australian English),[1] is a piece of clothing, typically with long sleeves, made of knitted or crocheted material that covers the upper part of the body. When sleeveless, the garment is often called a slipover, tank top, or sweater vest.
Sweaters are worn by adults and children, often over a
Etymology
According to British
The Oxford English Dictionary gives "sweater" as appearing in 1882 and gives its definition as "A woolen vest or jersey worn in rowing or other athletic exercises, originally... to reduce one's weight; now commonly put on also before or after exercise to prevent taking cold. Hence a similar garment for general informal wear; a jumper or pullover"[10]
According to most British dictionaries, British usage agrees with what American dictionaries describe as American English usage, according to which a sweater is either a pullover or a
Types and design
The term "sweater" is a catch-all for a variety of knit garments. Although the term often refers to a pullover, it can also refer to a
, and frills.Another type is a sweater vest.
Nomenclature
A sweater with an open front fastened by
In the U.S. a sleeveless sweater may also be called a sweater vest, especially if it has a V-neck and somewhat formal appearance resembling a formal vest, a garment known as a waistcoat in the UK. In British English, "vest" refers to an undershirt. In South African English, a knitted sweater is always called a jersey, while sweater, when used, refers to a sweatshirt. In the sport of ice hockey, the top of a hockey player's uniform had traditionally been a sweater; and even though modern hockey uniform tops are more commonly a jersey they are typically referred to as a "hockey sweater," regardless of the style, but frequently, in the U.S. it is called a hockey "jersey".
Article of Clothing | US | UK |
---|---|---|
Knitted garment covering torso and arms that is closed at the front | sweater, pullover | sweater, pullover, jumper |
Knitted garment covering torso and arms that is open at the front | sweater, cardigan | sweater, cardigan, jumper |
Women's sleeveless dress | jumper | pinafore |
Cotton (or jersey) garment covering torso and arms that is closed at the front | sweatshirt | jersey |
Athletic shirt | jersey | jersey, kit (refers to full sports uniform) |
Sleeveless knit garment | sweater vest, slipover | slipover, tank top |
Sleeveless undershirt | tank top | vest, singlet |
Sleeveless formal garment | vest | waistcoat |
See also:
- List of American words not widely used in the United Kingdom
- List of British words not widely used in the United States
- List of words having different meanings in American and British English: A–L
- List of words having different meanings in American and British English: M–Z
Customary wear
Thin sweaters may be worn tucked into the waistband of trousers; but otherwise, men's sweaters are worn untucked. Nonetheless, some individuals, including some television and film actors, have been known for wearing tucked-in sweaters.[13]
Sweaters are a versatile item of clothing and can be worn on top of almost any outfit. Sports sweaters are often worn on tops of sports kit while traveling to or from a sports ground. Sweaters can be worn with a dress shirt underneath (and optionally a tie), which has the advantage of allowing the wearer to have the option of removing the sweater when it is uncomfortably warm and still looking presentable in many situations. Layering and the ease with which it allows for temperature regulation is a major benefit of the sweater as an article of clothing. Various methods have evolved for conveniently carrying a sweater, once removed. The three most common approaches are: around the waist (either loin cloth or knotted in front style) and over the shoulder.
In the late 20th century, the sweater increasingly came to be worn as an alternative to a shirt when finer materials made them more comfortable next to the skin.
Some people enjoy wearing Christmas-related sweaters around Christmas time to get into the festive spirit. Some women's sweaters are meant to be worn belted; a belt or drawstring is sometimes knitted into the sweater itself. Leggings are commonly worn with long sweaters or sweater dresses.
Care
Sweaters are often maintained by washing or dry cleaning and the use of a
Ice hockey
The uniforms that present-day ice hockey players wear are referred to as "sweaters". This is because original uniforms were simply sweaters with the team's crest stitched on the front. However, as technology changed, so did the uniforms as actual sweaters absorbed too much moisture and became weighed down and cumbersome throughout the course of a game.
See also
References
- ^ a b jumper in Collins English Dictionary: "a knitted or crocheted garment covering the upper part of the body"
- ^ Marianna Cerini. "A cozy history of the ugly Christmas sweater". CNN. Archived from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ sweater Archived 2019-02-21 at the Wayback Machine in Cambridge English Dictionary: "(UK also jumper or pullover) a piece of clothing, typically with long sleeves and made from wool, that is worn on the upper part of the body"
- ^ sweater Archived 2019-02-21 at the Wayback Machine in Collins English Dictionary: "a garment made of knitted or crocheted material covering the upper part of the body, esp a heavy one worn for warmth"
- ^ "sweater". Oxforddictionaries.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
A knitted garment worn on the upper body, typically with long sleeves, put on over the head.
- ^ "pullover". Oxforddictionaries.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
A knitted garment put on over the head and covering the top half of the body.
- ^ "jumper". Oxforddictionaries.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on September 26, 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
A knitted garment typically with long sleeves, worn over the upper body.
- ^ "jumper". Cambridge English Dictionary. Cambridge University Press. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
a piece of clothing with long sleeves that is usually made from wool, is worn on the upper part of the body and does not open at the front.
- ^ jumper Archived 2019-02-21 at the Wayback Machine in the Macmillan Dictionary: "BRITISH a warm piece of clothing, usually made of wool, that you pull over your head and that covers your upper body and arms"
- ^ " sweater, n."., Oxford University Press, archived from the original on June 30, 2020, retrieved June 30, 2020 – via OED Online
- ^ Cardie, Oxford English Dictionary, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/cardie_n?tl=true
- ^ British Men’s Fashion Magazine, 2023, “Fancy Wearing a Cardie?” https://www.mensfashionmagazine.com/fancy-wearing-a-cardie
- ^ "Tucking in sweaters". GQ.com. January 14, 2005. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2017.