student asking question

Does the garment is called a "sweater" because it easily absorbs sweats?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Good guess! A sweater, also called a jumper in the UK and Australia, is a thick, long-sleeved clothing item that is worn in the cooler seasons. The name of this garment originates from the late 19th century in America, when they were worn outdoors by athletes in order to sweat and lose weight. Over time, the name stuck and these types of clothes are now called sweaters in the US, Canada, and other English-speaking countries. Ex: It's chilly in the evenings, so I always bring a sweater with me when I go out. Ex: I don't like wearing puffy parkas, so I prefer to layer sweaters to keep warm in the winter.

Popular Q&As

04/30

Complete the expression with a quiz!