Yesterday’s post seemed to bring a little confusion to my gentle American friends.
Cold temperatures generally leave me a wee confused so I’m not totally surprised.
But it seems a great deal of you don’t know what we Canadians put on our heads to keep our brains from freezing into ice blocks.
That would be a TOQUE people.
This is a toque:
Note the pompom on the top. Any Canuck worth their salt knows the only good toque is the toque with a fuzzy ball of yarn on the top. It’s like walking around all winter season with a Christmas ornament on our skulls.
This is a Canadian keener in a toque:
Fashion means nothing when one has to brave our arctic like winter temperatures.
Warmth is the preferred currency even if it means looking like a deranged lunatic who stole a cheerleader’s pompom to attach it to their head.
It’s not a beanie or a hat, it’s a freaking TOQUE.
Any questions?
*This public service announcement brought to you by your friendly neighbourhood Canuck hoser. Now excuse me, I need to go make some butter tarts, eat some poutine and wash it all down with some screech.*
*Bob and Doug would be so proud. Sniff.*
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 11:44
Thanks for clearing that up…off to figure out how to make a toque. Just because.
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 12:12
@Emma,
got a letter from there this past week it’s McMurray
Screech has also found it’s way off the Fairy and onto the island.
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 12:14
@CC, uh homework goes in a Scribbler
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 12:17
Sooooo got that car plugged in yet? I just Tres F#)$ing Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrred myself all the way to the grocerystore here in -27C with the windchill. I totally went grabbed the first Toque I could find, why yes it had some hockey logo on it? and we don’t DO hockey here nor did it match my butt covering Jacket.
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 12:18
@CJ, I bought mine in Maine and it’s EXACTLY like the one pictured and then lined with fleece on the ear flaps. SOOOO cozy, but I couldn’t find that one today.
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 12:59
@Lorna, the beauty of the toque is that it frees you up from having to wash your hair in the winter, because it’s too cold to let it dry. or is that just me?
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 13:03
you are killing me! Butter tarts! I would run around outside naked for some butter tarts! And I have Strange Brew on Beta-max cuz i’m that cool!
Thursday, 17 December, 2009 at 14:05
@Steve, What do you mean occasionally? The highs there have been in the 30′s for weeks. That’s cold in my book. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the warmest it gets there all day is still colder than our nightly lows. Do they call them toques in Michigan? I need to know these things.
Friday, 18 December, 2009 at 4:59
“Took” is the pronunciation I have heard most from my Canadain friends… most of them are from Ontario and PEI. I just call it a hat.
Friday, 18 December, 2009 at 5:29
As we live just up the road from The Great White Norths southern-most point, our temps. are damn near tropical, compared to what those hardy souls enjoy! Not too many toques around here, mostly just hats, and winter hats. Lots of folks have already taken on that “Michelin Man” look. Despite all that you’ve heard about MichIgan, for the most part, it’s a pretty nice place. Enjoy your stay!@Lorna,
Friday, 18 December, 2009 at 10:37
What’s poutine?
Friday, 18 December, 2009 at 10:44
@Mitzi,
Poutine (pronounced “poo-tin” in French, or “poo-teen” in English) is french fries covered in cheese curds and gravy. It originated in Quebec but quickly spread across the country because it is freakin’ delicious and awesome.
Possibly also because all that saturated fat and dairy warms you up.
Now I want some poutine.
Friday, 18 December, 2009 at 13:51
When it gets cold, you’ve got to keep your head warm.
Nice cap.
Friday, 18 December, 2009 at 22:52
@JL, In the “real” South (lol) we call it a ‘boggin. I have a black one with ear flaps and dangly ball pom pom things trimmed in leopard print!
Friday, 18 December, 2009 at 22:54
And how is that pronounced? “Toke?” If so…I can understand why. LOL
It’s actually…quite…lovely. You should probably wear it even in the warmer months, for the sheer fashion statement alone!
Saturday, 19 December, 2009 at 9:10
We should all get together and have a craziest toque ever contest. Now I want some poutine, but I make mine with Swiss Chalet sauce not gravy so much better (not necessarily healthier though)
Saturday, 19 December, 2009 at 16:14
A toque has a ball o’ yarn on top. When I was a kiddie the toques were long and came to a point so you could wrap it like a scarf.
Tuesday, 29 December, 2009 at 14:50
cute toque.