cloud n OED ~ 8 (1877); DAE (1875). Woman's woollen shawl or head-covering.
   1893 Christmas Greeting 19 I next got into a 'boiled shirt,' which the girls had decorated with ribbons and rosettes, and with a large red and white 'cloud' tied about my neck and then brought sash-wise about my waist, my bodily 'rig' was complete. 1912 [ENGLISH] 62 Why did you not put that cloud about your neck and shoulders, instead of round your arm? 1931 BYRNES 114 [These] were their staple purchases, supplemented by a brightly colored 'cloud' for the 'missus.' 1937 DEVINE 14 ~ A woolen knitted scarf or shawl worn by women and girls. The corresponding thing worn by men is a muffler. P 24-67 Wrap this cloud around you to cover up your head. Q 67-64 ~ large wool scarf. 1972 MURRAY 155 In recent years 'bandanas' have been the standard head covering for girls and women during inclement weather. Prior to that older women wore 'the cloud' (a heavy square scarf).

Go Back