- published: 11 Sep 2011
- views: 31550
An ushanka (Literally "ear hat") (Russian: уша́нка; pronounced [uˈʃankə]), also known as a trooper or a Trapper's hat, is a Russian fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or tied at the chin to protect the ears, jaw and lower chin from the cold. The thick dense fur also offers some protection against blunt impacts to the head. While no match for a helmet, it offers protection far superior to that of a typical beanie cap should the wearer fall and hit his or her head against ice or packed snow.
The word ushanka derives from ushi (у́ши), "ears" in Russian.
Hats with flexible earflaps made out of fur have been known in Russia, Germany and Scandinavia for centuries. Such hats also were used by ancient Scythians and various nomads of the Central Asia, as well as by the peoples living in the Arctic region.
However, the standard modern-type ushanka with a perfectly round hat crown was developed and became massively used only in the 20th century, in Russia.
During the Russian Civil War, when Aleksandr Kolchak ruled in Siberia, c. 1918 he introduced a winter uniform hat, commonly referred to as kolchakovka, which was basically an ushanka with an extra eye-flap. However, Kolchak and the White Army lost the Russian Civil War, and initially the ushanka didn't find much usage in the newly founded Soviet Union.
[1st verse:]
In the days of fairy tales, most any wish was granted
Granted by some fairy brave
Let's suppose a fairy rose in fairy clothes from head to toes
And granted us the wish we'd crave
Would you wish for diamonds, or would you wish for pearls
Would you wish to rule the land and sea
Would you wish a crown to rest upon your golden curls?
The maiden sweetly answered 'Not for me'
[Refrain:]
I'd wish for a night in June
A silv'ry moon real soon
A moon that makes you want to spoon
And softly croon love's tune
Then a tree that I could trust
A bench that holds just two
Then I'd wish for Cupid's loving dish
And then I'd wish for you
[2nd verse:]
Why should I profess to sigh for precious pearls and diamonds
When my ev'ry sigh means you?
All the gold the world may hold its wealth untold, I would unfold
To hold a place that just holds two
Hold a place that holds a face, that holds a case of bliss
And that case of bliss would hold you too
Such a place would make me trace upon your face a kiss
The fellow answered, 'Here's just what I'd do: