Fanny pack
Encyclopedia
A fanny pack belt pack (US), belly bag (US), Buffalo pouch (US), hip sack (US), waist bag (US), hip pack (UK
), bum bag (UK, Canada, Oceania
, Ireland
), cangurera (Mexico
), banano (South America
) or moon bag (South Africa
) is a small fabric pouch secured with a zipper
and worn by use of a strap around the hips or waist.
, for which "fanny" is a slang
term in the United States. Despite the name, many do not wear fanny packs on their rear because they are easier to pick pocket and harder to access. In the United Kingdom and Anglophone
Oceania, the term "bum bag" or "belt bag" is used, since the word "fanny" means vulva
, rather than buttocks
, in those countries. Fanny packs reached the peak of their popularity in the late 1980s and early-to-mid 90s. Today, fanny packs are considered to be a fashion faux pas
.
Many consider the fanny pack a sure mark for an out-of-place tourist, invoking the traditional tourist stereotypes known around the world, also an item worn by older people. Musician "Weird Al" Yankovic
mocks the wearing of fanny packs in his song "White & Nerdy
." The handiness and ease of opening of fanny packs has also resulted in them being used as holsters for handguns. Many manufacturers make fanny packs that are designed for concealed carry
. Recently, the fanny pack has made a comeback, with designer label
s offering stylish and expensive designs.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
), bum bag (UK, Canada, Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
), cangurera (Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
), banano (South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
) or moon bag (South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
) is a small fabric pouch secured with a zipper
Zipper
A zipper is a commonly used device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric...
and worn by use of a strap around the hips or waist.
Overview
The name "fanny pack" is derived from the fact that they were traditionally worn facing the rear above the buttocksButtocks
The buttocks are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. Physiologically, the buttocks enable weight to...
, for which "fanny" is a slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
term in the United States. Despite the name, many do not wear fanny packs on their rear because they are easier to pick pocket and harder to access. In the United Kingdom and Anglophone
Anglosphere
Anglosphere is a neologism which refers to those nations with English as the most common language. The term can be used more specifically to refer to those nations which share certain characteristics within their cultures based on a linguistic heritage, through being former British colonies...
Oceania, the term "bum bag" or "belt bag" is used, since the word "fanny" means vulva
Vulva
The vulva consists of the external genital organs of the female mammal. This article deals with the vulva of the human being, although the structures are similar for other mammals....
, rather than buttocks
Buttocks
The buttocks are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. Physiologically, the buttocks enable weight to...
, in those countries. Fanny packs reached the peak of their popularity in the late 1980s and early-to-mid 90s. Today, fanny packs are considered to be a fashion faux pas
Fashion faux pas
A faux pas is defined as "a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion." More specifically, a fashion faux pas is an unfortunate error in fashion etiquette. Entire decades have been considered a "fashion faux pas"...
.
Many consider the fanny pack a sure mark for an out-of-place tourist, invoking the traditional tourist stereotypes known around the world, also an item worn by older people. Musician "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
mocks the wearing of fanny packs in his song "White & Nerdy
White & Nerdy
"White & Nerdy" is the second single from "Weird Al" Yankovic's album Straight Outta Lynwood, which was released on September 26, 2006. It parodies the song "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone...
." The handiness and ease of opening of fanny packs has also resulted in them being used as holsters for handguns. Many manufacturers make fanny packs that are designed for concealed carry
Concealed carry
Concealed carry, or CCW , refers to the practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in proximity.-In Canada:...
. Recently, the fanny pack has made a comeback, with designer label
Designer label
The term designer label refers to clothing and other personal accessory items sold under an often prestigious marque which is commonly named after a designer. The term is most often only applied to luxury items...
s offering stylish and expensive designs.