Having recently got involved in an inconclusive argument on the subject the other day, I'd like to know which of these names is best when describing the hat worn in the Middle East.
Merriam-Webster defines a fez as a
brimless cone-shaped flat-crowned hat that usually has a tassel, is usually made of red felt, and is worn especially by men in eastern Mediterranean countries
and defines a tarboosh as a
red hat similar to the fez worn especially by Muslim men
but this doesn't get us very far. Does it matter what this hat is called, and if it does, what is the preferred term?
Best Answer
The Wikipedia article on this subject begins,
A Google image search also confirms that these two words are used interchangeably for the same type of hat.
It should be noted that variations in the style and structure of traditional hats like the Fez are common and trends will often form geographically. For example in Morocco there is a common type of shoe that when purchased in the south of Morocco will have a different style than if purchased in the north.
Because the words will also divide themselves on geographic boundaries, based on both social pressures and the etymological differences between the words, it would not be surprising to find people who will use the words to refer to different styles of hats.