My little nerd rebels

My husband likes to say that I was a nerd at school, something I vehemently deny.  But although I would never admit it out loud, there is a possibility that I might have been somewhat nerdy at school.  Actually, thinking about it, I was probably a little on the nerdy side.  I never smoked at school, all the cool kids did. I didn't have many (any) boyfriends, all the cool girls had the cool boyfriends.  (Remember when the naughty kids were cool and the good kids were like, SO uncool?  How silly is that.) Hell, even when I did drugs in my wild twenties, I did it responsibly.  I kept my managerial job throughout, never stole money from my mother’s purse or sold my sister's bike for drug money. Mostly because my sister was grown up and didn't have a bike and because I wasn’t staying with my mom. So yes, perhaps I've always been a bit on the nerdy side.  In a really, really cool sort of way.

Among other less fortunate traits my kids have inherited from me (not caring about dress sense, favouring comfort over style etc etc), it appears my kids have inherited my nerdy side.  Last night, after lights out, they took off their PJs!  Which in itself isn't a very naughty thing to do, but it is winter here so it was kind of naughty.  This morning when they woke up I asked them where their PJs were and they replied with a grin that they had taken them off the night before.  "But don't worry mom” they exclaimed, “we kept our vests* on!" 

That's my children!  Go ahead and be rebellious, but make sure you keep your chests warm.

*We can them vests here, not sure what you call them? Long sleeve underwear thingies you wear in winter to keep your bits (chest/arms etc) warm. 

Comments

[Louise M]

We call them undershirts here in Canada, but they normally don't have long sleeves. There were probably more nerds then cool kids in school. Don't know why everyone wants to be one of the cool kids, 'cause the nerds usually become great adults...

[Stefanie]

We call them long johns in the states - but they aren't worn to bed. That is what winter pajamas are for. They are worn under clothes in very cold places, especially if one has to work outside.

[Hanlie]

Rebels with a clause?

[Kristin]

What funny kids.

[Tracey]

In Australia they're called singlets. Glad to hear they kept warm.

[Claire - Matching Pegs]

Tracey's right - in Australia they are singlets - but the long-sleeved-ones are also called spencers.

I was reading about these in Bill Brysons book on English - "Mother Tongue" - how the names have changed for the same item in different countries.

I think we all have an inner nerd.

[barbara]

how does that make them nerds? nerds are bookworms by MY definitions.

i think they are smart. they got to hot maybe?

[alison]

That is HILARIOUS.

[Dreamer Mom]

They're called undershirts in here in the Northeast U.S. We wear them as an extra layer (even under winter pajamas) in the coldest months.

[Coral]

Ian calls them 'moffies' something you wear when you feel the cold - 'soos 'n moffie' (like a moffie).

Spencers for girls, vests for boys. See Woolies labels!!

[Jennifer]

Your kids are fun, T.

I think that you're describing what we call "onesies" here in the States. I've seen newborn onesies (one-piece undershirts that snap at the crotch with short or long sleeves) called vests on lists of what to buy for a new baby. They typically stop at a toddler size 3 or 4 here.

I'm at 33 weeks now and a few days from a 38th birthday; I keep thinking of how well you managed your pregnancy with Max and how you're juggling it all now. Keep inspiring me, because this fourth baby thrown into our mix is terrifying me a bit. Well, it's the four girls part that really scares me. As if we don't have enough drama and neurotic issues already!

[Sharon]

Yes, long johns or thermal underwear in the states. "Vested Rebels"

[Jana]

We call them "long underwear" around here (Pacific Northwest)... but I've heard people use the term "long johns" or "thermals" as well. I wear them to school every day as my classroom is generally around 50 degrees all day long. Typical gov't building.

Back in the day, they were worn 24 hours a day during the spring and winter months. My mother said that they knew summer had really started when they were finally allowed to abandon them.

[Carrie Jo]

We've always called them thermals or thermal underwear in my family.

[Andy]

No sleeves = singlets or vests
Long sleeves = spencers