Etymology
The Oxford English Dictionary gives “sweater” as appearing in 1882 and gives its definition as “A woolen vest or jersey worn in rowing or other athletic exercises, originally… to reduce one’s weight; now commonly put on also before or after exercise to prevent taking cold. Hence a similar garment for general informal wear; a jumper or pullover”.
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According to British dictionaries, “sweater” is used in British English in the same sense as in American English but “jumper” is commonly used instead (though some say that “sweater” is used for heavier ones worn for warmth). The Oxford English Dictionary states that in British usage, sweaters are always pulled over the head and jumpers are not necessarily, whereas most or all other British dictionaries disagree and say that sweaters are not necessarily pullovers or even say that jumpers are always pullovers, i.e. never open in front.
According to most British dictionaries, British usage agrees with what American dictionaries describe as American English usage, according to which a sweater is either a pullover or a cardigan (which opens at the front). Almost all British dictionaries include cardigans as a type of sweater but at least one includes cardigans as a type of jumper (i.e. most British dictionaries consider “sweater” – and at least one considers “jumper” – to be a hypernym for both pullovers and cardigans).
Colloquial and informal usage common in Britain is using the term “cardie” for a cardigan which usually refers to a button-front sweater.
I’m being told in my earpiece that fuzzycrumpet is not actually a word.
As a Brit, my experience is:
- A cardigan is open at the front, usually with buttons (but not necessarily). Cardie is acceptable.
- The thing pictured is a jumper. They do not open at the front under any circumstances. Pullover is uncommon but basically a synonym.
- We don’t use the term ‘sweater’. It’s an Americanism, but if someone said it I would assume they meant jumper. I would not consider it a ‘hypernym’ (cool word though).
- You can use fuzzycrumpet if you want to flirt with me, I’ll work with it.
