Balaklava

/ˌbæl.əˈklɑ.və/ noun

Definition

A knitted garment that covers the head, neck, and shoulders, with an opening for the face, originally worn for warmth in cold climates.

Etymology

Named after Balaklava, a port town in Crimea where British soldiers during the 1853 Crimean War wore these garments to stay warm. The name commemorates the location.

Kelly Says

The balaklava became famous during the Crimean War, but it's now associated with bank robbers in movies—though its real purpose is keeping you toasty in extreme cold like mountaineering and arctic exploration!

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