anorak
/'ænəræk/
Definition
Noun: 1. A heavy, waterproof jacket with a hood, typically designed for cold or wet weather: An anorak is a type of outerwear, often insulated, that is fastened with a zipper and has a hood that can be tightened around the face. It is commonly associated with outdoor activities in harsh conditions. 2. (British, informal) A person who is obsessively interested in a niche subject or hobby, often to the point of being socially awkward: This slang usage describes someone with an intense, detailed, and sometimes solitary enthusiasm for a specific topic.
Usage and Examples
- Noun (Clothing):
- She pulled up the hood of her anorak as the rain started to fall.
- For the hiking trip, he packed a warm anorak and waterproof trousers.
- Noun (British slang, person):
- He's a real computer anorak; he can talk about processor specs for hours.
- The train-spotting anoraks gathered on the platform with their notebooks.
Advanced Usage
- The informal, pejorative sense (anorak meaning an obsessive enthusiast) is primarily used in British English. It originates from the stereotype of trainspotters or hobbyists wearing practical, unfashionable anoraks while pursuing their interest outdoors.
- The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) in this sense: , .
Variants and Related Words
- Windcheater (noun, chiefly British): A synonym for the jacket, meaning a lightweight, wind-resistant jacket.
- Parka (noun): A similar long, hooded, insulated jacket, often lined with fur.
Synonyms
- For the jacket: Windcheater, parka, cagoule, waterproof jacket.
- For the person (slang): Enthusiast, nerd, geek, fanatic, bore.
Related Phrases
- In anorak mode: (British, informal) Behaving with obsessive attention to detail about a niche subject.
- Sorry, I went into full anorak mode talking about vintage cameras.
Noun
-
a kind of heavy jacket (`windcheater' is a British term)
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