poncho n : a blanket-like cloak with a hole in the center for the head

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɒntʃəʊ

Noun

1. A simple garment, made from a rectangle of cloth, with a slit in the middle for the head.
2. A similar waterproof garment, with a hood.

A poncho is a simple garment designed to keep the body warm, or if made from an impermeable material, to keep dry during rain. It is essentially a single large sheet of fabric with an opening for the head and sometimes for the arms. Some ponchos, especially those made to ward off rain, also have hoods attached.

Alternative ponchos are now designed as fashion accessories. They are the same shape but of different material. They are designed to look fashionable and be loose and comfortable, rather than ward off cold and rain. These are often made out of wool or yarn, knitted or crocheted. Ponchos with festive designs or colors can be worn at special events as well.

The poncho, commonly associated with South America, has spread worldwide. While a traditional clothing in the whole world it is nowadays a standard in military field uniforms, and as a raincoat for wandering and biking.Traditional and more local names and variants are:

• Paunchu, in Kashmir, usually made of Cashmere wool
• Poncho, most of Latin America, Spain and worldwide
• Chamanto, Only in central Chile, poncho in the north and south
• Jorongo or Sarape, Mexico
• Kotze or "Wetterfleck" in Austria, Switzerland and Bavaria; a dark green or brown clothing for hunting
• Paenula, in ancient Rome; some kind of cape or jacket
• Kasel or Pluviale, Roman Catholic Church clothing
• Pelerine, Redingote and Cape; a weatherjacket without arms
• Poncho Chilote, a heavy poncho made of wool
• Gugel, in the Middle Ages; short, sometimes with hood
• Ruana, in cold regions of Colombia

Military equipment

During the second world war, the Wehrmacht issued the Zeltbahn, a poncho that could be combined to form tents. A typical four-man tent used four Zeltbahnen.

In the infantry of Australia and the UK, a poncho is a shelter half that may also serve as a raincoat or as an individual shelter. In operations in which ponchos are used, one is carried by each person, and when combined with another forms a two-person tent.

The United States Armed Forces also issue ponchos that may be used as a field expedient shelter. These garments are highly prized by hunters and rescue workers.

Famous ponchos

• The poncho has become a fashionable item both in fashion as in pop culture, after being the most notable outtfit, of the Man with No Name, in Sergio Leone's "Dollars Trilogy", played by Clint Eastwood.

• The Colombian poncho is a typical item of Colombian coffee recollectors hence it can be seen worn by famous commercial icon Juan Valdez.

• Betty Suarez of the American show, Ugly Betty, owns a poncho from Guadalajara which has appeared in several episodes.

• Frank Zappa sings about a woman and "her rancid poncho" in the song Camarillo Brillo, from the 1973 album Over-Nite Sensation. During the song's fade-out, Zappa enquires, "Is that a real poncho? I mean is that a Mexican poncho or is that a Sears poncho?"

• In the British television series The Mighty Boosh one of the main characters Vince Noir states "It is impossible to be unhappy in a poncho" and later on in the same episode both Vince Noir and Howard Moon are seen dancing in ponchos and sombreros.

See also

• Cape
• Cloak