The correct spelling and meaning depends on context, especially in Canadian English.
- "Toque" generally refers to a type of hat with a narrow or no brim, originally from French, including the tall white chef’s hat and hats from historical European fashion. In Canada, "toque" is also an accepted spelling for a knitted winter cap synonymous with "tuque."
- "Tuque" is the French Canadian term for the knitted wool winter cap very common in Canada, especially Quebec. It is the most recognized spelling in French Canada.
- "Touque" is a less formal variant occasionally seen in Canada but not officially recognized in dictionaries.
Essentially, "toque" and "tuque" both refer to the same knitted winter hat in Canada, with "tuque" being the French Canadian spelling and "toque" being the more widely accepted English Canadian spelling. "Touque" is an informal variant rarely used in formal writing. The knitted winter hat often doesn't require a pom-pom to be a toque/tuque. The word "toque" also historically refers to other types of hats, including chef’s hats and judicial or academic headgear in Europe. Therefore, for the knitted winter hat in Canada, the choice between "toque" and "tuque" depends on language/cultural context, while "touque" is less standard but seen occasionally.
