My wife and I have a friendly ongoing dispute about the definition of the word “toboggan”. I have always thought it meant a type of sled. So I was really confused when she first used it to describe a hat. We debated the meaning and never came to an agreement. Finally I decided to find out who was right. Jenny says I always have to be right. I know it might seem that way, but I really am interested in the truth, whether it turns out to agree with me or not. If a toboggan is a sled, then don’t call a hat a toboggan. If it’s a hat, don’t call a sled a toboggan. This world is gray enough. Can’t we have a little black and white sometimes?

So which is correct? According to Dictionary.com, a toboggan is a flat-bottomed sled. However, Wikipedia also mentions that in the South, a toboggan is…a type of knit hat. So both are correct. I’ve seen other descriptions that use the term “toboggan hat”, a long knit cap that one wore while riding a flat-bottomed sled. No wonder English is so hard to learn!

I still think my definition is more correct. =)