Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Bunnyhug Mystery

Monday night I was chatting with Gwen on Facebook.
Gwen is from Canada. Saskatchewan, to be precise. I happened to mention that one of our ABC group people (Kyle #2, also known as "Fred" or "McKitty") is also Canadian, originally from Saskatchewan.

She said I should mention the word "bunnyhug" to him, and completely freak him out. Apparently that's a special word over in Saskatchewan which refers to those hooded sweatshirts with pockets in front.

Gwen assured me that Kyle would be so surprised to hear a non-Canadian using this word.

So, when I saw Kyle Tuesday night, I said "It's chilly enough for a bunnyhug!"

He appeared totally clueless, with no idea what I'd just said.
"Okay....." was his response, after an awkward pause.

I then had to awkwardly explain the whole thing.
He swore he had never heard of the word bunnyhug. Ever.

So, this leaves a few possibilities to consider...
.
Possibility #1. Kyle did not really grow up in Saskatchewan after all; he could be in the witness protection program after testifying in court against a Colombian druglord who is trying to hunt him down and drown him in a vat of Tim Horton's coffee.
.
Possibility #2. Kyle is really an evil alien from Neptune who will have to hunt ME down and kill me, now that I have figured out his secret.
.
Possibility #3. Kyle knew all along what the word meant, and he is merely screwing with me because he secretly gets giddily excited by the sight of me squirming awkwardly in public.
.
Possibility #4. I dreamed the entire thing, and will wake up in a few hours in a puddle of my own drool.
.
Possibility #5. I would think maybe Gwen is screwing with me, but there are all these websites which confirm that yes indeed, the term "bunnyhug" is a Saskatchewanian word for a hooded sweatshirt.
.
Here's an entire Facebook group devoted to the use of the word "bunnyhug".
Here's an online Canadian-terminology glossary which includes the word.
Here's an article in the Star Phoenix which discusses the topic.
Here's where you can buy a bunnyhug from the University Of Saskatchewan's online store.
And, of course, here it is in the Urban Dictionary.

If you're reading this and you're from Saskatchewan, PLEASE tell me you've heard of this word!

Hurry, before I wake up in a puddle of my own drool.
.

17 comments:

whall said...

Possibility #6: convincing someone to use the secret keyword "huddlebug" on their blog is the alternate reality's method of hazing people that are about to be abducted, er I mean, invited to the alternate reality.

Marilyn said...

Maybe Kyle bumped his head and has selective amnesia.

Da Old Man said...

Maybe he realized bunnyhug was perhaps the most effeminate description of clothing ever, and he decided he didn't want to be associated with it.
While a "pink bunnyhug" sounds rather intriguing, it is something he may be trying desperately to forget.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I'm from Saskatchewan and yes, I have heard the term Bunnyhug used this way.

Of course, I'm 47 years old. Maybe the term has gone out of style and kids are calling it "Hoodies" now.

BTW I found this post because I have a google alert set up for "University of Saskatchewan".

Maybe he got freaked out because he thought you were hinting you wanted a hug (grin)

Abigail Road said...

I didn't know that nobody else called "hoodies" bunny hugs until a couple years ago. I thought that was what they were called...

If Kyle really is from Saskatchewan, then he's screwing with you. He knows what a flippin' bunny hug is! :)

Wavemancali said...

I'm a non-Saskatchewan Canadian. I have NEVER heard of this term. I do like it and approve of it though... you may continue.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I'm from Saskatchewan. Bunnyhug is what it is called, although the less-interesting (but more obvious) term "hoodie" is quickly becoming the new standard.

I believe there are also other pockets in Canada where this term has taken root. I think in parts of Atlantic Canada.

Cheers,

R

Anonymous said...

I’ve never heard this word though I am Canadian. I’ve lived in Atlantic Canada and Ontario, but not Saskatchewan. It seems other Saskatchewaners have heard this term. We just used to call them sweatshirts with hoods. Bunnyhug is a stupid name – unless in Sask. they have ears on theirs or something? Saskatchewan is kind of a mixed-up place anyhow. The call shrubs – trees and puddles – lakes and 2-story buildings – highrises.

Gwenhwyfar said...

1. "Kyle" is clearly not from Saskatchewan. I don't know what it is, but I think you should kill it.

2. Bunnyhug is NOT effeminate. It's what they're called.

3. Bunnyhug is NOT a stupid name nor is Saskatchewan "mixed-up".

4. I've got nearly 15,000 people on facebook who know that Bunnyhug is the proper term.

So there.

Janna said...

Whall: I'd love to try an alternate reality for awhile. It might be refreshing.

Marilyn: That's possible....

DaOldMan: "Pink Bunnyhug" also sounds kinda like a girly mixed drink. Maybe with some Sprite and Grenadine and Amaretto.... and about a quart of strawberry ice cream.

Anon#1: Thank you for the confirmation!

EvilGenius: It could be worse; they could be called "Fairypuffs" or something.

Abigail: Ah! Thank you for your confirmation as well!

Wavemancali: Thank goodness!

R: Thank you! :)

Xup: It would be so cool if they passed a law where all bunnyhugs HAD to have bunny ears sewn on top. And maybe a cotton-ball poofy tail sewn on the back.

Gwen: I may need to send him up there for a few days so you can interrogate him. Is that ok?

Gwenhwyfar said...

That would be fine. I was just thinking that it's been a while since I've gotten a chance to really use my ball gag and the gimp is getting a little out of practice.

Robin said...

If Gwen wasn't enough of a reason to prove that Canadians are just weird.

Janna said...

Gwen: Excellent! Be sure to also use that weird reaper-scythe thing you have hanging on the wall. I like that. Take pictures.

Robin: Good point! :)

Travis Cody said...

Well I thought it was like bunny kicks, you know...like cats do?

Janna said...

Travis: Bunny kicks?? I'm going to have to start watching my cats more closely.

Kyle said...

Ok this is Kyle (aka Fred, AKA McKitty)

While I am from Saskatchewan (I just proved it by spelling the name properly :) ), I left with my parents when I was 11. Now to paraphrase the immortal Adam Sandler, "I was 11, I didn't know anybody!" And I certainly wasn't old enough to learn slang for articles of clothing. Also consider that I moved from Saskatchewan to rural Arkansas and you can see why I am so messed up as to not know what a bunnyhug is :)

...is this a good enough cover story? Or do I need to call the marshals again... ;)

Janna said...

Kyle: I think you and Gwen need to have a talk. :)