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L Verge · 10-15-2015, 02:38 PM

Either somewhere on this forum or in something I read related to one of our topics, mention was made of "snoods." Many of our female guides at Surratt House (who have sufficient hair) wear snoods as part of their period dress. Likewise, many of our elderly visitors remember them as being popular in the 1940s. Someone else told us that she wore them in the 1970s, but I don't remember them being popular then.

Anyhow, the name "snood" always causes people to snicker and also to ask what the word means -- besides being just a hairnet. I finally took the time to do some quick research and found that they (and that silly word) were around as early as medieval times.

As best as I can determine, the word "snood" derives from Old English - "snod," or Old Gutnish (whatever that is) - "snoth." Gutnish may have something to do with Scottish dialect because reference was made to early Scots using them on unmarried ladies to denote chastity.

The ones that we are used to are thick hairnets (open weave with larger guage threads). After the invention of crochet in the 1700s, they got even fancier. There are similar versions as far as usage that are called "cauls." These are of bag-like structure, but made of whole cloth.

Personally, I think snoods should stay in fashion because they are a lovely way to hide bad-hair days! And, if the men would like to get in on the act also, there are hair snoods for them -- along with beard snoods and football snoods.

Gene C · 10-15-2015, 02:58 PM

(10-15-2015 02:38 PM)L Verge Wrote: Personally, I think snoods should stay in fashion because they are a lovely way to hide bad-hair days! And, if the men would like to get in on the act also, there are hair snoods for them -- along with beard snoods and football snoods.

Join the Hair Snoods For Men Club
https://www.etsy.com/listing/218367913/s...uery=snood for men&ref=sr_gallery_1

Horace Greely was a trend setter in his day.
https://gonzomeetsthepress.files.wordpre...reeley.jpg

L Verge · 10-15-2015, 04:46 PM

(10-15-2015 02:58 PM)Gene C Wrote:
(10-15-2015 02:38 PM)L Verge Wrote: Personally, I think snoods should stay in fashion because they are a lovely way to hide bad-hair days! And, if the men would like to get in on the act also, there are hair snoods for them -- along with beard snoods and football snoods.

Join the Hair Snoods For Men Club
https://www.etsy.com/listing/218367913/s...uery=snood for men&ref=sr_gallery_1

Horace Greely was a trend setter in his day.
https://gonzomeetsthepress.files.wordpre...reeley.jpg

Neither of those look anything like a historic snood. Go here: http://www.faireware.com/xsnood.html Click on the upper left photo box for pictures.

Maybe these new trends in scarves are using the old name for publicity purposes??

Eva Elisabeth · 10-15-2015, 05:55 PM

(10-15-2015 02:38 PM)L Verge Wrote: Personally, I think snoods should stay in fashion because they are a lovely way to hide bad-hair days!

They are still in fashion, just nowadays fashily called "slouchy beanie summer hat":
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/...-hat/44927
(...very similar at least...)

Would these be called snoods, too?

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 10-15-2015 06:50 PM by L Verge.)

(10-15-2015 05:55 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:
(10-15-2015 02:38 PM)L Verge Wrote: Personally, I think snoods should stay in fashion because they are a lovely way to hide bad-hair days!
They are still in fashion, just nowadays fashily called "slouchy beanie summer hat":
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/...-hat/44927
(...very similar at least...)

Would these be called snoods, too?

Same principle, but worn farther back on the crown of the head. The ladies of the 1800s used to like to finish them off with a decorative band where the snood met the hair at the top of the head.

Somewhere I read that bun coverings had another name, but I can't remember what. I'll google!

Here's what Gutnish is: The old language of the island of Gotland in present day Sweden, used both as a spoken and written language until late medieval times. Modern Gutnish is considered to have become a dialect of Swedish.

Eva Elisabeth · (This post was last modified: 10-16-2015 02:39 PM by Eva Elisabeth.)

Gotland is a Swedish isle in the Baltic Sea, not far from here...

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 10-15-2015 07:26 PM by L Verge.)

I had never heard of Gutnish nor Gotland until I went in search of the history of snoods. Still looking for the magical word for a bun cover...

(10-15-2015 07:05 PM)L Verge Wrote: I had never heard of Gutnish nor Gotland until I went in search of the history of snoods. Still looking for the magical word for a bun cover...

I can't find that word again, so we'll just continue to call the small snoods "bun covers."

Gene - I did find this to further explain the new use of the word "snood:"

“The word has also come to be applied to a tubular neck protector or warmer, often worn by skiers or motorcyclists. The garment can be worn either pulled down around the neck like a scarf, or pulled up over the hair and lower face, like a hood. A commercial company making women's clothing also uses the word as a trademark and sells a decorative variant of the sports snood as its signature product.

"Retailers today are apparently trying to give the snood a new name (have to admit, it’s a fun word to say)---they want to call it the 'infinity scarf, or infinity loop'---not so fun, IMO."

Gene C · 10-15-2015, 10:51 PM

I kind of messed up on the snoods for men, so let me try to make up for it here.

https://wishfit.files.wordpress.com/2012...h-lady.jpg

Susan Higginbotham · 10-15-2015, 11:37 PM

From my Facebook friends who are re-enactors, my understanding is that at least in the US, the term "snood" in the 19th century referred to the decorative band that a fancy hairnet attached to, not the hairnet itself. There is a nice example of a dressy hairnet here:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89509111314719618/

Modern-day brightly colored and crocheted snoods are frowned upon by re-enactment purists.

Eva Elisabeth · 10-16-2015, 04:28 AM

I did an etymology check, too, as for the original meaning of the word:
"Old English snod 'ribbon for the hair,' from Proto-Germanic *snodo (cognates: Swedish snod 'string, cord'), from PIE root *(s)ne- 'to spin, sew' (cognates: Lettish snate 'a linen cover,' Old Irish snathe 'thread;' see needle (n.)). In the Middle Ages, typically worn by young unmarried girls, hence 'It was held to be emblematic of maidenhood or virginity' [Century Dictionary]. Modern fashion meaning 'bag-like hair net' first recorded 1938 (these also were worn by girls in the Middle Ages, but they are not snoods properly)."
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=snood

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 10-16-2015 10:01 AM by L Verge.)

(10-15-2015 10:51 PM)Gene C Wrote: I kind of messed up on the snoods for men, so let me try to make up for it here.

https://wishfit.files.wordpress.com/2012...h-lady.jpg

OMG, I think she worked in our school cafeteria when I was a kid!

(10-15-2015 11:37 PM)Susan Higginbotham Wrote: From my Facebook friends who are re-enactors, my understanding is that at least in the US, the term "snood" in the 19th century referred to the decorative band that a fancy hairnet attached to, not the hairnet itself. There is a nice example of a dressy hairnet here:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89509111314719618/

Modern-day brightly colored and crocheted snoods are frowned upon by re-enactment purists.

Great web page with great photos. Speaking of purists, I was surprised to see sites advertising reproduction snoods that are 100% rayon!