Learn English – Why was the ‘hoodie’ given the name ‘hoodie’

namesobjects

There were plenty of pieces of upper-body garments/clothing, which had a hood, before the 'hoodie'.

Was it simply that no one had thought of the name up until then? Or was there something different/special about the 'hoodie'?

Best Answer

The OED says "A hooded sweatshirt, fleece, or other garment.", and therein lies the answer, I think.

A hoodie is a "hooded sweatshirt" or "hooded fleece", (in contradistinction to the original kind of each, which had no hood) and the abbreviation is natural.

As far as I know "hooded coat" or "hooded raincoat" have never become established phrases, and so have not become "hoodies". This may be because on an outer garment (especially a raincoat) a hood is unremarkable, whereas on a sweatshirt it is much more distinctive; but that bit is speculation.