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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What is a jumper?

73 replies

WideFootWelly · 17/04/2023 17:23

Lighthearted, but reoccurring argument with my DH over what a jumper is.

Context: I'm doing a wool wash and ask if he has any Jumpers to go in (the only things he has that are wool), he says no. Then picks up some washing, which includes a jumper, but he says it isn't a jumper...it's a t-shirt because he doesn't wear anything under it.

YANBU: a jumper is a long sleeved top made of wool (although I wouldn't argue with someone calling a similar non wool top a jumper)

YABU: even if it is a long sleeved top and made of wool, if you don't usually wear anything under it then it's called a t-shirt

We're in the UK.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 17/04/2023 17:25

Ask him if he has any woollens.

DappledThings · 17/04/2023 17:25

Sounds like a jumper to me. Just because he's choosing to not wear it in the conventional way of a second layer that's his choice.

I could put a coat on directly over my bra and claim that's a dress not a coat because I'm not wearing anything underneath that and that would be just as silly.

midgemadgemodge · 17/04/2023 17:25

It doesn't have to have long sleeves but otherwise you are correct

However you could just ask for his Woolies if he insists on being difficult

Yellowrosesmakemehappy · 17/04/2023 17:25

To me, a jumper is anything knitted whether that be synthetic or wool.

A T-shirt (usually cotton) is short sleeved.

A top is anything that’s not a T-shirt or thick clothing or an actual shirt.

A sweatshirt is sweatshirt material.

Botw1 · 17/04/2023 17:26

A jumper is anything long sleeved not made of t-shirt material.

Wool, sweatshirt, thick.

A t-shirt is either long or short sleeved made of thin material

I would always wear something under a jumper but if I didn't it would still be a jumper.

Tell him to do his own fucking washing

MummyNeedsADrinkDear · 17/04/2023 17:26

A jumper is made of wool. I have long and short sleeved ones.
A tshirt is usually cotton blend and can be long or short sleeved.
Tbh tho it sounds like he knows exactly what you mean and is just being awkward.

JenniferBarkley · 17/04/2023 17:26

I have loads of jumpers I don't wear anything under.

He is certifiably insane.

Nothingbuttheglory · 17/04/2023 17:27

I think it's about thickness of material, as you can get short sleeve jumpers and long sleeve t shirts.

But if he's going to be a smart arse about it he can do his own washing.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/04/2023 17:27

Surely a long sleeved wool top you wear next to skin is thermal base layer? But, it depends on its design not the wearer. Base layers are usually quite thin, plain and one would not expect to wear them on the outside.

LolaSmiles · 17/04/2023 17:29

A jumper to me would include any mid layer item including knitted mid layers (wool, synthetic or mix fibres), sweatshirts, fleeces, hoodies

I've got light weight merino base layers and t-shirts/long sleeve tops that are wool but I wouldn't consider them jumpers.

If I was going to a wool wash then I'd ask people for any wools or delicates. Asking for jumpers here would get you a huge pile of all mid layers.

HappyintheHills · 17/04/2023 17:31

Obviously it’s to make up a load of washing so it’s the material that matters not how he chooses to wear it.
Is he deliberately being an arse or just dumb?

Clarice99 · 17/04/2023 17:32

Tell him to do his own fucking washing

@Botw1 I agree with your statement

OP, is he usually this obtuse?

Original poster
WideFootWelly · 17/04/2023 17:32

Sorry, I probably should have said knitted rather than wool - this is a thin knitted jumper that you might wear on a night out. He has several and it always causes the same confusion.

OP posts:
TrombonesAreNotBones · 17/04/2023 17:33

He does his own laundry from now on, no need for further discussion. Act like a tit, be treated like a tit, simple.

Bunnichick · 17/04/2023 17:33

A t shirt can be long sleeved but if it is knitted then it is a jumper

Original poster
WideFootWelly · 17/04/2023 17:34

Clarice99 · 17/04/2023 17:32

Tell him to do his own fucking washing

@Botw1 I agree with your statement

OP, is he usually this obtuse?

No, I think he genuinely believes his definition of a t-shirt/jumper

OP posts:
Housewife2010 · 17/04/2023 17:35

Botw1 · 17/04/2023 17:26

A jumper is anything long sleeved not made of t-shirt material.

Wool, sweatshirt, thick.

A t-shirt is either long or short sleeved made of thin material

I would always wear something under a jumper but if I didn't it would still be a jumper.

Tell him to do his own fucking washing

So by your reasoning a shirt is also a jumper.

GettingStuffed · 17/04/2023 17:37

My DD calls sweatshirts and hoodies jumpers and jumpers sweaters. Last year we had a discussion about tank told in a similar vein.

Botw1 · 17/04/2023 17:38

@Housewife2010

I should have said without buttons but shirts aren't thick. Or wool. Or made of sweatshirt material.

Everyone, including the ops oh knows what a jumper is.

He's just being an arsehole

BarbaraofSeville · 17/04/2023 17:40

Surely it should be clear from the context that you were looking for items that needed to go in the special wash, whatever they are called? But if it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck......

If he wants to risk his 't-shirts' in a normal wash, then that's up to him and he can't complain if they are all shrunken and mis-shapen after being tossed around for hours at 40C and then spun fast.

LolaSmiles · 17/04/2023 17:44

Sorry, I probably should have said knitted rather than wool - this is a thin knitted jumper that you might wear on a night out. He has several and it always causes the same confusion.
That's definitely a jumper then, especially if when you're doing your washing it's the norm to ask for jumpers to do a special wool/delicate wash.

He's just being awkward.

DaisyWaldron · 17/04/2023 17:45

I wouldn't consider a merino wool T-shirt/polo shirt/base layer or similar garment intended to be worn next to the skin to be a jumper.
They would be the garment that you would wear under a jumper.

Kingdedede · 17/04/2023 17:47

Just say have you got anything for the wool wash next time - confusion avoided (his confusion of not knowing what a jumper is)

StopFeckingFaffing · 17/04/2023 17:48

A jumper is something which appears to have been knitted from yarn (synthetic or wool) on a pair of needles

I wouldn't class a lightweight long sleeve top made with a fine knit fabric (even if it's 100% wool) as a jumper

dudsville · 17/04/2023 17:49

Show him this

What is a jumper?