Bolo Tie
/ˈboʊ.loʊ taɪ/noun
A necktie consisting of a cord or braided strip fastened with a decorative clasp or slide.
Did you know?The word “bolo” entered English through Spanish from Philippine languages, where a bolo is a large single-edged knife; however, the exact reason the neckwear adopted the name remains disputed.
Etymological Timeline
Prehistoric
PIE
*deuk-
“To pull or draw; the reconstructed root behind the English verb “tie” and several distant relatives.”
16th–17th Century
Tagalog
bolo
“A large single-edged knife or machete, especially associated with the Philippines.”
17th–18th Century
Spanish
bolo
“A Philippine knife, borrowed from a Philippine language and later used in Spanish colonial contexts.”
19th Century
English
bolo
“A large heavy knife or machete, adopted into English usage.”
Early 20th Century
English
bolo tie
“A Western-style neckwear term; its precise naming history is uncertain, though its “bolo” element may evoke the knife.”
Modern English
English
bolo tie
“A corded necktie with a decorative clasp, strongly associated with Southwestern and Western fashion.”