What Is a Bunnyhug? Saskatchewan’s Favourite Word, Explained

If you’re not from Saskatchewan, you’ve probably never heard the word “bunnyhug.” If you are from Saskatchewan, you’re probably wondering why the rest of Canada doesn’t use it. So what is a bunnyhug, exactly? Fair question.

A bunnyhug is a hooded sweatshirt. A hoodie. A pullover with a kangaroo pocket and a hood. That’s it. Same garment, different name. But in Saskatchewan, calling it a “hoodie” feels wrong — like calling a toque a “beanie.” Technically correct. Spiritually offensive.

Where Did the Word Bunnyhug Come From?

Nobody knows for certain — and honestly, that’s part of its charm. Andrea Sterzuk, a professor of language and literacy at the University of Regina, has studied the word extensively, and even she says there’s no definitive answer. But there are several theories, and each one tells you something about Saskatchewan.

The dance theory. In the early 1900s, a partner dance called the Bunny Hug was popular — and considered scandalous because partners held each other so closely. Some researchers connect the dance to the garment, though the link is debated. A related theory points to the Bunny Hop of the 1950s, where dancers formed a conga line and squeezed the waist of the person in front of them — right where the kangaroo pouch sits on a bunnyhug.

The rabbit fur theory. Back in the 16th century, some clothing was lined with rabbit fur, and muffs made from rabbit pelts were worn around the waist — similar to where a bunnyhug’s front pocket sits. Another version of this theory claims that a century ago, Saskatchewan had a rabbit overpopulation and locals turned the pelts into cozy wraps that loosely resembled what we now call a bunnyhug.

The shape theory. Some people think the word is purely descriptive — the hood looks a bit like rabbit ears hugging the wearer’s head. The earliest known print reference appeared in the Shellbrook Chronicle in 1978, where “bunny hug” was used to describe this style of garment.

The cozy feeling theory. The simplest explanation: the garment is soft, warm, and wraps around you like a hug. It feels like hugging a bunny. Sometimes the best theories are the ones that just make sense.

Research by Tyler Cottenie suggests the term likely originated in the Prince Albert–Melfort and Yorkton areas, and the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles notes that teenagers in the 1980s probably popularized it as the hooded sweatshirt became mainstream. Whatever the real origin, the word stuck in Saskatchewan and nowhere else. It’s one of those regional terms that immediately tells people where you’re from — like saying “vico” for chocolate milk or giving directions using grid roads and grain elevators.

Why Saskatchewan Still Answers “What Is a Bunnyhug?” With Pride

Every few years, some national news outlet “discovers” that Saskatchewan calls hoodies bunnyhugs, and the rest of Canada has a brief moment of amusement. Saskatchewan shrugs and keeps saying it.

The word survives because it’s ours. In a country where regional identity gets flattened by national chains and American media, holding onto a word that’s uniquely Saskatchewan feels important. It’s not just a garment — it’s a small act of prairie defiance.

When you say “bunnyhug,” you’re telling the world you’re from a place where winters start in October, the land is flat enough to watch your dog run away for three days, and people still wave at strangers on gravel roads. That’s worth preserving.

The Grey Barn Bunnyhug Collection

At Grey Barn Handwerk, we make bunnyhugs — not hoodies. Every one of our designs celebrates Saskatchewan life, from highway sign graphics to prairie-themed art to cheeky slogans that only make sense if you’ve lived here.

We print on quality fleece blanks using Forever Laser Dark transfer technology. The designs are permanent, washable, and built to survive the kind of temperature swings that crack lesser prints. These aren’t gas station tourist gear. They’re bunnyhugs made by someone who actually wears them through Saskatchewan winters.

Our current designs include the Flatlander, Land of Living Skies, Three Elevators, Field and Compass, and Crocuses — each one a love letter to this province.

The Perfect Saskatchewan Gift

Now that you know what is a bunnyhug, you’ll understand why it’s the perfect gift. If you know someone who’s moved away from Saskatchewan, a bunnyhug brings them home — at least in spirit. It’s a wearable piece of where they came from. And if they’re still here? It’s a reminder that this place is worth being proud of.

Browse our bunnyhug collection and find the one that fits your kind of prairie pride.