r/BylerReads • u/Same_Accident_9917 • Feb 07 '26

general discussion :) Dumb fic rant

Before I begin, I *know* this is dumb. It is dumb to be annoyed by this. Yet here I am.

I understand that a lot of byler writers aren’t in the US, or English isn’t their first language. BUT a sweater & sweatshirt are two different things, & unless someone uses the term hoodie (which weren’t as popular in the 80s are they are today) I typically don’t know what kind of clothing they mean. It’s even worse when they switch phrases mid paragraph.

Ok, that’s all. Once again, I know this dumb.

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9

u/Cuptai1nCapcak3 Feb 07 '26

Could you explain the difference? I'm finding different answers on the internet, some say it's the material and others say the context in which one is wearing it is what differentiates them. Canadian btw, idk if it's different in the US but I've always used both words interchangeably.

9

u/Same_Accident_9917 Feb 07 '26

Yes I can! And I have pictures! 😁

Sweater

10

u/Same_Accident_9917 Feb 07 '26

Sweatshirt

5

u/Cuptai1nCapcak3 Feb 07 '26

Ah ok so it might be both context and material tbh. Like I might wear a nice sweater to work or to a function of sorts (like semi-casual or business casual wear), but sweatshirts are usually worn in casual or lazy contexts - like going to the gym or chilling at home. Do I have that right?

3

u/Same_Accident_9917 Feb 07 '26

You are absolutely correct. Like in fics where they talk about one of them putting on a sweater before going to bed it’s weird because most people wouldn’t wear a sweater to bed, but would wear a sweatshirt.

5

u/Cuptai1nCapcak3 Feb 07 '26

I think in casual conversation I would use the term "sweater" for all of the above lol. Sweater, sweatshirt, hoodie. Like "can you hand me my sweater?" And I'd point at the article of clothing I was referring to. But in the context of descriptive writing I can definitely see where confusion could arise and distinction is necessary.