Tuques and Beanies: The Same Thing or Different?

By abeanco •  Updated: 01/11/23 •  2 min read

If you’re a fan of winter fashion, chances are you’re familiar with beanies and toques. But are they different words for the same thing, or are they different hats altogether?

First off, let’s define these terms.

Beanies, also known as skull caps or toboggans, are typically made of wool, acrylic, or other warm and insulating materials and are worn in cold weather to keep the head and ears warm. A tuque, on the other hand, is a type of knitted cap that is also worn in cold weather.

So, are beanies and tuques the same thing? Technically, yes. Both beanies and tuques are types of hats that are worn on the head and cover the ears. However, the terms are often used interchangeably, with “beanie” being more commonly used in the United States and “tuque” being more commonly used in Canada.

from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/tuque

But wait, there’s more! In the United States, the word “toque” is typically pronounced “took.” Up in Canada, the word “toque” or “tuque” is pronounced “tuke.” Confused yet?

To add to the confusion, the word “toque” is derived from the Old Spanish word “toca,” which means “hat.” In French, the word “toque” refers to a chef’s hat. In Canada, the word “tuque” is often used to specifically refer to a type of knitted or crocheted hat that is worn in the winter.

So, to sum it up: beanies and tuques are essentially the same thing, but the terms are used interchangeably depending on the region. In the United States, beanies are more commonly used, while in Canada, tuques are more commonly used — just don’t forget to pronounce “toque” correctly if you’re in Canada!

abeanco