Gansey
/ˈɡæn.zi/noun
A thick, closely knitted sweater traditionally worn by fishermen, especially around Britain’s coasts.
Did you know?Traditional ganseys often used distinctive stitch patterns associated with particular fishing communities, functioning almost like knitted regional signatures.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval period
French
Guernesey
“The name of the Channel Island now called Guernsey; the deeper origin of the place-name is uncertain.”
Early Modern English
English
Guernsey
“The island name, also increasingly associated with goods or clothing made there.”
19th Century
English
Guernsey
“A thick knitted fisherman’s garment, especially in British coastal usage.”
19th–20th Century
English
gansey
“A regional or dialectal form of “Guernsey” used for the knitted fisherman’s sweater.”
Modern English
English
gansey
“A traditional close-fitting woollen sweater associated with British fishing communities.”