A balaclava is a warm head and neck covering commonly worn by skiers and military personnel. It is made of wool or other materials and has an opening for the eyes and nostrils. The name comes from Balaklava, Crimea, and it is also associated with ninjas, terrorists, and criminals. Car racers wear fire-retardant balaclavas under their helmets for protection. It should not be confused with baklava, a Middle Eastern dessert.
A balaclava is a combination head and neck covering that provides a large amount of warmth. One most commonly sees them on skiers or as part of military gear to reduce the wearer’s visibility to others. For US English speakers, the term is not very common, and would traditionally be seen wearing the ski mask.
The common balaclava is usually made of wool, although some may also be made of acrylic, cotton, or wool. The item covers the head, ears, and neck, but has an opening for the eyes. It usually also includes a small opening near the nostrils to facilitate breathing. The hat/scarf combination can be turned into a hat by rolling up the scarf part on many models. If the neck or chin gets too hot, the harness can be easily converted.
The name comes from the city of Balaklava, Crimea. During the Crimean War of 1854-1856, many British troops were not used to extremely cold winter conditions. The townspeople sent these hand-woven ‘ski masks’ to help provide extra warmth for the British soldiers.
Balaclavas are often seen in outdoor winter sports. Those made of black silk might be more associated with ninjas, and any modern ninja costume tends to include a face covering part. Unfortunately, the garment is also associated with terrorists and criminals, who desire anonymity while committing illegal acts.
Competitive car racers often wear a fire-retardant ski mask under their helmets. This is believed to protect the face if a racing car accidentally catches fire. Also, it allows some smoke infiltration by shielding the muzzle, giving the driver a bit more time for rescuers to reach him.
The term is occasionally confused with baklava, which is a Middle Eastern dessert made from layers of puff pastry, walnuts, and honey. Confusing the two could have one literally eating your hat.
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