Anorak
AN-uh-rak
/ˈænəræk/
A waterproof, hooded jacket, typically a pullover style without a full-length front zipper, originally used in polar regions.
In British English, 'anorak' also carries a slang meaning of a socially awkward person who is obsessively interested in niche hobbies, derived from the stereotype of trainspotters wearing these jackets.
The story behind the word. The word originates from the Greenlandic Inuit word 'annoraq', describing a windproof jacket made of seal or caribou skin, often coated with fish oil to make it waterproof. It was adopted into Western fashion in the 1920s as a lightweight shield against alpine winds.
Word relationships
- windbreaker: A windbreaker is thin and rarely insulated, whereas an anorak is designed for harsher, colder conditions and is often lined.
- parka: A parka is typically longer, heavier, and features a full-length front zipper.
- trench coat: A trench coat is a long, formal, double-breasted cotton raincoat with a belt.
Commonly confused with
- Parka: An anorak is traditionally a pullover garment with a half-zip, while a parka is a full-zip, heavier coat.
Word family
- anoraks (Noun): Plural form of anorak.
Collocations
- waterproof anorak
- pullover anorak
- hooded anorak
- lightweight anorak
Example sentences
- "He was wearing a dark blue anorak with the hood up." A real citation from J.K. Rowling's contemporary fiction. (The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling)
- "He pulled the waterproof anorak over his head as the first heavy drops of rain began to fall." Describing a hiker preparing for unpredictable mountain weather.
Memory hook
Imagine an 'anorak' protecting an 'astronaut' on a cold, windy planet. It keeps out the cosmic chill. Anorak: the pullover protector.
When not to use
Do not use for formal outerwear or heavy, floor-length winter coats.
Fun facts
- The slang use of 'anorak' to mean a boringly obsessive person began in the UK in the 1980s, inspired by offshore pirate radio fans who stood in the freezing rain wearing these jackets.
Related words
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