Bunny Hug Meaning: Why Canadians Call Hoodies Bunny Hugs

Picture yourself at a party up in Saskatoon. Someone offers, “Hey, where’d you get your bunny hug?” You blink. It’s clearly a sweatshirt, not a rabbit. Yet, the crowd nods, unfazed. This quirky language twist is just an ordinary moment in Saskatchewan. The word ‘bunny hug’ for ‘hoodie’ doesn’t even register as odd to people who grew up here. But to outsiders, the phrase can stop you in your tracks. There’s a story hiding in those two little words—a slice of local nostalgia, culture, and maybe some marketing sparkle. Ready to discover why people from the Canadian prairies insist that hoodies should be called bunny hugs?

The Legend Behind the Name

Contrary to what your imagination might suggest, ‘bunny hug’ isn’t about actual bunnies or jumping into the arms of someone in a furry suit. The earliest records trace the term to the early 20th century. There’s a theory that it all began as a playful nickname, inspired by the comfort and coziness that a hoodie offers. Like a hug from a rabbit—soft, warm, irresistible. Back in the early 1900s, the phrase ‘bunny hug’ popped up in various places, but not always as clothing. Believe it or not, it first caught on as the name of a popular ragtime dance, wild and a bit scandalous, where dancers would move close—maybe too close for grandma’s taste. By the time mid-century rolled around, the meaning shifted. Saskatchewanians started applying it to a type of sweatshirt: the pullover hoodie, usually with a front pocket and without a zipper. Some folks claim it’s because early sweatshirts had thick, fuzzy linings mimicking bunny fur. Others believe it’s simply about how the hoodie ‘hugs’ your body. Local legend or not, there’s no smoking gun document proving which theory is the right one. What is true: by the 1970s, if you said ‘bunny hug’ in a Saskatchewan school, everyone pictured a cozy hoodie. Ask a roomful of locals and every single person will claim it’s been called that forever, no explanations needed.

How Bunny Hug Became a Saskatchewan Staple

Outside of Saskatchewan, you might never hear the term ‘bunny hug.’ Step over the provincial border, and it suddenly becomes a hoodie, kangaroo, pullover, or just a sweatshirt. What gives? Language in Saskatchewan works like a little bubble, fiercely protective of its favorite quirks. Kids grow up calling hoodies bunny hugs, teachers use it in classrooms, and even university bookstores slap ‘bunny hug’ on their sweatshirts. You’ll see it on tourism brochures and souvenir racks across the province. Why did this nickname stick so hard here and vanish everywhere else? Sociolinguists who’ve studied regional dialects chalk it up to local pride. When communities evolve their own slang, they guard it as fiercely as their hockey teams. There’s a sense of comfort—almost an inside joke—among people who say ‘bunny hug.’ If you’re from here, just using the word marks you as part of the group. And when something is this soft and cozy, you need a word that matches the feeling. The hoodie may be a worldwide item, but in Saskatchewan, it’s infused with specific childhood memories: chilly mornings, rushing to catch the school bus, summer campfires, and high school football games. The word itself became a badge of local identity.

Pop Culture and the Bunny Hug Trend

The rest of Canada—and, to an extent, the U.S.—has slowly caught on to the oddness and charm of ‘bunny hug.’ If you scroll TikTok or Instagram today, you’ll find proud Saskatchewan influencers poking fun at their own slang while introducing it to the broader world. Merchandise (think adorable bunny graphics fused with hoodie silhouettes) pops up in local boutiques. The University of Saskatchewan even markets its sportswear as ‘bunny hugs’ in school spirit shops. Saskatoon’s annual festival scene brings out street vendors with racks covered in ‘bunny hug’ designs. The term has even made headlines. In 2021, Merriam-Webster added ‘bunny hug’ as a Canadian regional word for hoodie. Meanwhile, big-name celebrities visiting Saskatchewan sometimes get caught off guard, leading to viral stories. There’s genuine amusement and almost no snobbery about correcting someone who doesn’t know the phrase. Instead, it’s an instant starter for conversations and laughs. Airlines and tourism campaigns have used it to give Saskatchewan a warm, quirky, and approachable vibe. In a world where fashion language can feel cold or corporate, ‘bunny hug’ wraps it in something familiar, playful, and just a bit tongue-in-cheek.

Bunny Hugs vs. Hoodies: Is There a Difference?

Here’s where things get technical. If you’re shopping in Regina, Saskatoon, or Moose Jaw, the sales clerk might kindly point out: a bunny hug isn’t just any hoodie. It’s technically the pullover style only—none of that zipper business. Traditionally, the bunny hug comes with a kangaroo pocket at the front and is usually made from fleece. Zip-up hoodies don’t count under strict local rules. The idea is all about the ‘hugging’ effect—a pullover feels more like a real embrace. Do all locals obey this rule? Not always, but the distinction exists in neighborhood debates, online forums, and even marketing. You’ll sometimes find playful flowcharts in gift shops explaining the difference. Digging through old catalogues and radio ads from Saskatchewan in the 1980s and ‘90s, the word ‘bunny hug’ pops up regularly, always describing that classic, pullover sweatshirt with a hood. One curious tip for travelers: if you want to fit in during your visit, ask store staff for a bunny hug when you’re looking for a hoodie—but make sure there’s no zipper if you want to sound like you know your stuff.

From Grassroots to Modern Fashion Slang

If you love how languages twist and tumble, the bunny hug story shows the magic of regional lingo sticking around even when global brands push their own versions of fashion speak. Big companies like Nike and Adidas will never call it a bunny hug on their tags, but regional businesses play it up on all their merch. Saskatchewan schools send their alumni out into the world carrying memories of chilly fall nights, football team wins, and yes, bunny hugs too. Watch for the word in alumni Facebook groups and reunion invite posters. There’s even a petition floating around every few years to make ‘bunny hug’ the official provincial garment. (So far, it hasn’t happened, but supporters are relentless.) If you’re browsing vintage Canadian clothing tags or thrift stores across the province, keep your eyes peeled for ‘bunny hug’ instead of hoodie. It’s not just wordplay—it’s a snapshot of community pride and stubbornly fun language. If you ever feel cold visiting Saskatchewan, look for a store offering a bunny hug. You’ll come home with more than just a piece of clothing. You’ll get a slice of local color, some good stories, and probably a couple of amused looks when you use your newfound slang outside the province.