Why is there a "riding" in "Little Red Riding Hood"?

Question

I get the little, the red and the hood... but how does the riding fit in there?

score 31 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 08 '18 at 00:29

31

Here is a definition of a riding hood from Webster's Dictionary:

Riding hood.
(a) A hood formerly worn by women when riding.
(b) A kind of cloak with a hood.

edited Jul 08 '18 at 00:29

answered May 01 '11 at 14:57

gbutters

6,516

OK thanks! I wouldn't have guessed there is somethink like a "riding hood" – Melken Osterhose May 01 '11 at 15:02
1

Yeah, they are most likely obsolete (though I'm not an expert on the history of clothing), at least in terms of being needed for riding/travel. – gbutters May 01 '11 at 15:50
Riding fits in the name because she is wearing the formal hooded cloak that a woman rider would wear back in those days. – Aug 19 '12 at 06:48

teylyn · Answer 2 · 2011-05-02T11:53:58.093

12

The original German title of the fairy tale, "Rotkaeppchen", has no connotations with riding gear. This only got in when it was translated into English. The literal translation of the fairy tale title would be "Little red hat" (or cap).

edited May 02 '11 at 11:53

answered May 02 '11 at 00:26

teylyn

3,265

3

A reasonable explanation would be that the Riding was added to form an alliteration, making it sound better and more memorable. – Fabien Snauwaert Jan 16 '16 at 15:49
It seems that the most literal translation seems to be "skullcap". – Make42 Jun 25 '21 at 16:26
I think in the fashion of the times that Rotkaeppchen is set, the English equivalent would have been "bonnet". – teylyn Jun 25 '21 at 23:57

Why is there a "riding" in "Little Red Riding Hood"?

2 Answers2