The Real Toboggan
December 19, 2008
Look it up. Seriously, look it up! "Toboggan." As defined by every single dictionary, a toboggan is a sled without runners. This is the real toboggan.
So, how did it come to pass that this word, "toboggan," can describe a warm winter hat? My assumption is that somewhere in the South the term "toboggan hat" got shortened to just "toboggan" and now "boggan." And the very same people (who probably have never been on a real toboggan) began thinking that this was a legitimate use of the word. It's not!
If you look it up, you'll find the same results I did. Except in Wikipedia (open to the public for editing) it has one line at the very bottom to please the Southerners. This line reads: "Southerners use this word as slang for a stocking cap or winter hat." Notice the word slang. Here are some other sources:
- Merriam-Webster's definition of toboggan
- Dictionary.com's definition of toboggan
- Oxford English Dictionary's definition of toboggan (One discrepancy here, they mention "vehicle on runners." But nonetheless it's a sled)
Also, if you do a search on Target for toboggan or REI you won't get any results dipicting depicting a winter hat.
You may then argue, as Billy tries, that it's totally up to a regional dialect to determine the legitimacy of a word. Perhaps. But consider this, if the entire country of England (where baseball isn't really played) began describing a baseball cap or baseball hat as a "baseball," we'd cry, "They're ignorant! Every one knows that a baseball is a round white ball! Would you wear a ball on your head?!?" Based on the definition of dialect, English and American English are both dialects. Is one more right than the other? Or is one just more ignorant (nothing against the British, just making a argument)? In the case of Southern verses the rest of the English dialects I would go with ignorance because you wouldn't wear a sled on your head.
So what is it called? Well, beanie, winter hat, skullcap, cap, toboggan cap, or tuque (as in Canadian French/English) would all work. Please, please stop calling it a toboggan! Because now you can't claim ignorance.
- The Real Toboggan
- December 19, 2008
- 10 comments
Comments
10 comments
Mark said...
Np@TC: No problem. I actually find this whole argument amusing, which is why I posted it so long ago. It's been a fight for me for a long time (since elementary school). And, I bring it up because it's a touchy subject on both sides--especially when 'ignorant' is applied. It's become a joke around my office too. So, I was never offended--I just like arguing over the definition of the word. Which, I have now retracted from since I am now wrong! As for tobogganing, I was unfortunately too busy to do much of any sledding this winter. But, I have been wearing a tuque since it's been so cold.Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:34:00 EST
TC said...
Sorry Mark, I should have read my post before submitting. I didn't realize it came across so very abrasive and jerkish. (Webster should add that word) So I apologize for that. No, I'm not Adam, I'm my own person. I happened to be googling toboggan because all of the snow we got here in Raleigh this year. And then low and behold, I see your from your website that you're from Raleigh too. What a coincidence! Did you toboggan down any hills the past snow?Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:45:00 EST
Mark said...
I concedeI just looked up the word "toboggan" in Merriam-Webster and they have now added a third definition for the meaning of "stocking cap" used in the South and Midland! So, however sad, I fully retract my claim now. (I'll have to find out exactly when they added the definition in the last year, but when I wrote this post it didn't exist.) Moving forward, though, have at the term! I still won't call it a "toboggan" just because I never have, but all who use the term are no longer "ignorant." The English language has now evolved. Cheers!Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:33:00 EST
Mark said...
Ironic@Adam: I'm glad it looks like somebody might agree with me! I definitely don't say "cell" to mean "cell phone" (cell phone is in the dictionary as a portable telephone). But I do have a slight feeling that you may be facetiously contributing to my rant. The good news is that if you are, you're only further proving my point with the "cell" argument.
@TC: First, I find it ironic that a post I've written over a year ago (and has been stale since) is now getting blown up with comments in the past 2 days. You may be my only visitor! Congrats! Is it possible that you're Adam too?
Secondly, both "google" and "prick" are in the dictionary. "Google" as a verb means exactly what it's used for--like you said. "Prick" is in the dictionary, but its definition isn't what you describe; rather, it means "an obnoxious or contemptible person" (Merriam-Webster). So, ironically the term might be applied to you as well for your lovely comment. "Pop" is not in the dictionary--good thing I say "soda!"
Lastly, if you actually read the comments below yours, you'd see I acknowledge the evolution of the English language. So your whole point is moot.
Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:58:00 EST
TC said...
ignoranceAll those people that used the word "google" to mean they are searching for something when it really is a proper noun which is the name of the search engine are really ignorant aren't they? Its almost like English is continually evolving and new words are added to the dictionary based on the way people actually use words. WOAH!!! The word "google" has been added to the dictionary because people used it!!! They must not be ignorant anymore because Webster added it! So southerners must be ignorant until Webster adds an additional entry to the word "toboggan" to mean "hat". I don't see "pop" in Webster to mean "soda". Coca Cola company is in the south, so Northerners must be ignorant of the word just like southerners are ignorant. RIGHT??? I wonder when they are going to add an additional entry for the word "prick" to mean "an arrogant person that thinks they know more than other people."Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:07:00 EST
Adam said...
I hear people quite often refer to a "cellular phone" as simply a "cell." First it got shortened to "cell phone." Now many people (including those brilliant Northerners) simply call it a "cell." By your logic. We have all chosen the wrong word. Because the word "cell" simply refers to the type of phone. If it is to be shortened, then it should be called a "phone." Because how can you talk on a "cellular" or on a "cell." You can't use a "cell" (living part of a plant or animal) share audible communication with others over long distances. That's just silly. I guess all of those people are just ignorant. Now that I've explained it to them, they cannot claim ignorance any longer.Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:40:00 EST
Mark said...
ok...Well, if we're doing the whole potato/potah-toh thing (for lack of a better phonetic spelling--or at least one I can get away with in my legal characters limit) I would chalk my misspelling up to a simple typo not ignorance. Ignorance would be me really believing that's how it's spelled; I do know it was wrong. But you're right, I should have checked it before posting--regardless to the fact that your analogy fails. Moreover, "toboggan" isn't as simple as a typo. It's a clear change in dialect. And, I am aware that the English language changes significantly over time. For instance, the word "lucky" is believed to have come into use some time in the 1930's. Not too long ago for such an important word in today's society. So, if you'd like to try to revolutionize the English language (starting with the South) go for it. But, I'm still going to think you're ignorant because you're misusing a term based on the real definition. Just like I'd sound ignorant if I used all sorts of words accepted among today's youth that are not correct English. For instance, "whip", "skeet", etc. And for the record, I don't hate Southerners. I hate the misuse of that word. That's quite an over generalization to gather from 1 article about 1 word.Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:46:00 EST
None said...
Well...You realize that the English language is constantly changing don't you? We obviously don't speak the same form of English that people spoke even 100 years ago. Slang terms can become part of the language. You really hate on the Southerners don't you? By the way, it is not "dipicting" it's depicting. At least check your spelling before you go around calling other people ignorant for their use of the English language. Oh, and by the way...I'm still going to call those hats toboggans. I'm not going to claim ignorance, because I don't have to. I can call it what I want.Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:12:00 EST
Elena said...
tobogganThat is NASTY!!!! ;-)Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:29:00 EST
GUESS said...
TOBOGGANTOBOGGAN FTWMon, 22 Dec 2008 09:02:00 EST