NUTLEYJOURNAL ESSEXNEWSDAILY.COM
VOL. 36 NO. 45
OCTOBER 2024
A look at Nutley’s favorite hat; the goobalini Making connections
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Hot rods in the Oval
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NHS girls are kicking it up
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Do you wear a “goobalini” on your head in the winter? You must be from Nutley. It’s unclear how our town was assigned the credit for a knit cap commonly worn by fishermen, members of the military, and plain folks like us, but that’s what you learn if you Google the word. Here’s what you get: “The term ‘goobalini’ is a regional Italian-American slang term for a small, tight knit cap or stocking cap that sits above the ears and is topped with a pom-pom. The term is thought to have originated in Nutley, New Jersey, and may have evolved from the Italian word cupola, which means a small dome that sits on top of a building.” I disagree with the pom-pom theory, and I’m not alone, but how funny that Nutley should be named in the definition. Residents of Belleville, Bloomfield, and Newark will argue that they definitely wore a goobalini, goopolini, cupalone, goobp, goopaline, or even a watch cap – spelling and pronunciations vary. After throwing out this topic on Facebook for comments, I heard from people from all over. Remembering a former Lincoln School principal, a retired teacher said, “I never heard the term until I came from PA to teach in Nutley. Ralph D'Andrea educated me on Italian words.” Someone who grew up in Pennsylvania and Bergen County said she never heard of them, even in very-Italian Lodi. They were common in Essex County, as a Fairfield resident wore one, and now his kids do. One former Nutleyite who lives in Virginia says she still uses the term and people look at her like she is crazy. Someone else tried to buy one in Maine, and they had no idea what she was talking about. Another claimed, “If I say that word here in Kentucky, they look at me funny!“ They can be found around the country, but under different names. One friend recalled that, “In Alabama, they call this kind of hat a toboggan! I can only guess it came from the idea that it's what you would wear when going sledding. Growing up in a non-Italian Long Island fami-
Photo by David Vandeventer
A “goobalini” is a stocking cap that sits above the ears and is sometimes topped with a pom-pom. The term is thought to have originated in Nutley one all the time growing up. No pom-pom. You would either get beat up or the poppom ripped off if you wore one.” BY VICKY CHALK Someone else noted, “They were used ly, we called it a watch cap, which is what in Newark and Nutley. My husband wears his on bad hair days in the winter. I I believe it's called in the military.” That theory was backed up: “In the thought the ones with pom-poms were Navy they're watch caps. A friend's son got called ski caps. He was given a really nice me one from Annapolis when he was a Broncos sideline cap with a big pom-pom midshipman there.” Another person on top. He refuses to wear it. He calls it agreed because he got one in 1969 at a ‘too girly.’” There were some true Nutley recollecGreat Lakes boot camp. Someone who hunts also chimed in, “I wear one all the tions in that regard, “I remember kids time with no pom-pom during the hunting yanking ‘goobs’ off your head while ice season. I think it’s from Italy, mostly worn skating at the Mudhole.” Also, “Yeah, just say no to the pom-poms.” And my by fishermen. It keeps the body heat in.” As for the pom-pom debate, that fea- favorite: “Wearing one with a pom-pom ture got a hearty thumbs down. With was an invitation to get it yanked off your remarks like, “Pom-pom? No self-respect- head, filled with snow, and put back on.” See NOT, Page 2 ing Italian would wear one.” Or, “I wore
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