The Bride has me stumped

**Earl D** · 24th January 08, 10:11 PM

In nearly 30 years of marriage my Bride has been able to stump me with a question on maybe a half dozen times. Today was one of those days.

She asked what the ribbons were for that are on the back of Balmoral and Glengarry hats. They must have served some purpose or else they wouldn’t be there. Hope you knowledgeable Xmarkers can help me out here.

Thanks-
sign me

"Stumped and not liking it!"

**Big Mikey** · 24th January 08, 10:24 PM

The ribbons you see on modern balmorals and glengarries are a hold over from the past. Back in the day, the ribbons circled the head and allowed the wearer to adjust the size of the cap. They were drawn around the head and tied in back. This was most common in knitted caps and the ribbon was woven through the brim.

**SFCRick** · 25th January 08, 02:14 AM

Big Mikey said it all

**arrogcow** · 25th January 08, 05:30 AM

Ok, I just woke up, but the title and forum this is in immediately brought up reanimation of the dead.

Adam

**Brian F** · 25th January 08, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by arrogcow

Ok, I just woke up, but the title and forum this is in immediately brought up reanimation of the dead.

Adam

**auld argonian** · 25th January 08, 08:45 AM

Why do firemen wear red suspenders?

To hold their pants up!

Seriously, I suppose that your wife was asking if the ribbons had any kind of symbolic meaning and there's been a lot of discussion about that here before. There's some business about whether the ribbons are tied or hanging loose having to do with being married or single. Guess which is which?

Best

AA

**BoldHighlander** · 25th January 08, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Why do firemen wear red suspenders?

To hold their pants up!

Seriously, I suppose that your wife was asking if the ribbons had any kind of symbolic meaning and there's been a lot of discussion about that here before. There's some business about whether the ribbons are tied or hanging loose having to do with being married or single. Guess which is which?

Best

AA

There is also one I've heard more than once that says "Highlanders - tied / Lowlanders - loose".
Don't know where that came from, but on the other Big Mikey is correct.

**Robertson** · 25th January 08, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Why do firemen wear red suspenders?

To hold their pants up!

Seriously, I suppose that your wife was asking if the ribbons had any kind of symbolic meaning and there's been a lot of discussion about that here before. There's some business about whether the ribbons are tied or hanging loose having to do with being married or single. Guess which is which?

Best

AA

But I wear black suspenders ?

**Earl D** · 25th January 08, 11:32 AM

Thanks for you answers guys. I had a black beret that had a cord in the hat band for adjusting the fit. One the perfect fit was acheived the loose ends where cut off. Looks like the ribbons on my bal will be coming off this weekend.

**Bob C** · 25th January 08, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Earl D-

Thanks for you answers guys. I had a black beret that had a cord in the hat band for adjusting the fit. One the perfect fit was acheived the loose ends where cut off. Looks like the ribbons on my bal will be coming off this weekend.

It's your hat to vandalize as you please, but the ribbons really are part of the fashion of the thing. Please reconsider!