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Balaclava
A balaclava, balaclava helmet or ski mask is a form of headgear covering the whole head, exposing only the face (and often only the eyes). The name "balaclava" comes from the town of Balaklava in Crimea. During the Crimean War, knitted balaclavas were sent over to the British troops to help protect them from the bitter cold weather. They are traditionally knitted from wool, and can be rolled up into a hat to cover just the crown of the head. Modern balaclavas can be made from a number of materials, such as silk, cotton, polypropylene, neoprene, wool or fleece. Modern balaclavas are also used in outdoor winter sports activities such as skiing or snowboarding to help protect the face from the cold wind and maintain warmth.
Additionally, balaclavas are often associated with special forces units such as the SAS, or alternately with muggers, terrorists, and activists, where they act as a form of disguise. In the UK the term IRA balaclava is often used to distinguish it from similar types of headwear.
Racing drivers may also wear balaclavas made of fire-retardant material underneath their crash helmets in order to improve protection in case of a fire following an accident, and commonly cover the nose and mouth to reduce inhalation of smoke and fumes. Dragster-racing drivers usually wear balaclavas which have just two separate eyeholes because of the increased fire risk.
Additionally, balaclavas are often associated with special forces units such as the SAS, or alternately with muggers, terrorists, and activists, where they act as a form of disguise. In the UK the term IRA balaclava is often used to distinguish it from similar types of headwear.
Racing drivers may also wear balaclavas made of fire-retardant material underneath their crash helmets in order to improve protection in case of a fire following an accident, and commonly cover the nose and mouth to reduce inhalation of smoke and fumes. Dragster-racing drivers usually wear balaclavas which have just two separate eyeholes because of the increased fire risk.
Balaclava by P.redeckis June 12, 2006
Related Words
Barackaganda
Any medium displaying absurd adulation for Barack Obama by romanticizing, idealizing, deifying, or otherwise portraying him far more positively than is realistic or even healthy.
"Dude, did you see that Rolling Stone magazine where they have Obama heroically standing in front of some clouds with the words 'A New Hope' on the cover? What a bunch of Barackaganda."
Barackaganda by DubbaA January 6, 2009
balaclava
A type of facemask that usually covers up most of the face, save for the eyes. They come in all kinds of different brands and forms. Balaclavas are especially comfy during the winter, but don't walk into a store wearing one unless you want to be labeled as a terrorist.
Bralaclava
A balaclava-like facial covering that provides support after cheekbone augmentation. Often worn by glitterati in sartorially inappropriate geographic or climatic settings e.g. Gangnam, Hollywood, Rio De Janeiro
Dango...Did you see the cheekbones on that woman? They were a solid C cup! She'll need a bralaclava if she hits Aspen or St. Moritz...unless she wants to look like a hound dog after the mogul field.
Bralaclava by C. Blanche DuBois September 21, 2018
Balaclava
A warm woolen hood covering the head and neck, leaving a slot for parts of the face, they are comfortable in winter and sometimes act as face protection.
Balaclava by P. Redeckis May 3, 2006
Wet balaclava
Wet Balaclava - Noun - a colloquium to describe the type of beating you get when it's raining and you're up the Shankill
Eoin made a mistake and took a walk up the Shankill. He ended up in the hospital after a wet balaclava
Wet balaclava by NothingButBant July 29, 2016
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