Woggle
Encyclopedia
A woggle is a device to fasten the neckerchief
, or scarf, worn as part of the Scout
or Girl Guides uniform.
(scarf) to fasten it around the neck. In America experimentations were made with rings made from bone, rope or wood.
A young Scout, Bill Shankley, who was responsible for running a workshop and developing ideas for camping equipment at Gilwell Park
, became aware of the American rings, and set out to create something similar. The result was the Gilwell Woggle.
Bill Shankley on the origin of the Woggle:
The earliest known reference to a Woggle is the June 1923 edition of The Scout. The term was quickly applied to other designs of fastener, of many shapes and sizes, and is today used around the world.
The word ring was used in editions of the Scouting handbook Scouting for Boys
until 1929 when Baden-Powell
changed it in the 14th edition:
The Woggle designed by Bill Shankley became known as the Gillwell Woggle, as it has been traditionally presented to leaders who have completed their Wood Badge
training. Trained leaders are admitted into 1st Gillwell Park Scout Troop, with the Gilwell Woggle as one of its symbols. Because of its association it is not worn by other scouts.
There are a few other references to the word woggle before its adoption by the Scout movement. It is thought that woggle was a verb, with similar meanings to waggle and wobble, in the 16th century. It was in limited use as a noun around 1900.
countries, this object is often called a neckerchief slide in the United States
. The knot itself is known as the turk's head knot
.
Neckerchief
A neckerchief, necker or less commonly scarf is a type of neckwear associated with Scouts, cowboys and sailors. It consists of a triangular piece of cloth or a rectangular piece folded into a triangle. The long edge is rolled towards the point, leaving a portion unrolled...
, or scarf, worn as part of the Scout
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
or Girl Guides uniform.
Origins of the woggle
Early Scouts tied a knot in their neckerchiefNeckerchief
A neckerchief, necker or less commonly scarf is a type of neckwear associated with Scouts, cowboys and sailors. It consists of a triangular piece of cloth or a rectangular piece folded into a triangle. The long edge is rolled towards the point, leaving a portion unrolled...
(scarf) to fasten it around the neck. In America experimentations were made with rings made from bone, rope or wood.
A young Scout, Bill Shankley, who was responsible for running a workshop and developing ideas for camping equipment at Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre for Scouting groups, as well as a training and conference centre for Scout Leaders. The 44 hectare site is in Sewardstonebury, Epping Forest, close to Chingford, London....
, became aware of the American rings, and set out to create something similar. The result was the Gilwell Woggle.
Bill Shankley on the origin of the Woggle:
They used to knot their scarves, which used to get creased and stick out at the ends. But in America the early scouts used to plait up various stuffs to make a ring for theirs — they called it a boon-doggle. I got some thin sewing machine leather belting, plaited it into a neat ring, submitted it, and had it accepted. I called it a Woggle and that’s the name it’s known by throughout the world
The earliest known reference to a Woggle is the June 1923 edition of The Scout. The term was quickly applied to other designs of fastener, of many shapes and sizes, and is today used around the world.
The word ring was used in editions of the Scouting handbook Scouting for Boys
Scouting for Boys
Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship is the first book on the Scout Movement, published in 1908. It was written and illustrated by Robert Baden-Powell, its founder...
until 1929 when Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
changed it in the 14th edition:
- It [the scarf] may be fastened at the throat by a knot or woggle, which is some form of ring made of cord, metal or bone, or anything you like.
Gilwell Woggle
Wood Badge
Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership program and the related award for adult leaders in the programs of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement...
training. Trained leaders are admitted into 1st Gillwell Park Scout Troop, with the Gilwell Woggle as one of its symbols. Because of its association it is not worn by other scouts.
New Zealand Scout Woggle
The New Zealand Scouts sometimes use a plastic Woggle in the shape of a traditional Maori carved head, more commonly though warranted leaders trained to Gilwell Woggle standard are allowed to wear the 'traditional' leather Turk's head woggle. Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers all wear either a 'standard' woggle for their section, or home made 'special occasion' woggles such as the tiki mentioned above. Until trained to the Gilwell woggle level leaders wear a plaited leather woggle with a dome fastening.Origins of the name
One story relating to the origin of the word woggle is that it was named to rhyme with the word boon doggle used in America. However the term woggle pre-dates the first known reference to this in 1925.There are a few other references to the word woggle before its adoption by the Scout movement. It is thought that woggle was a verb, with similar meanings to waggle and wobble, in the 16th century. It was in limited use as a noun around 1900.
Other names
Although the name woggle is used in many English-speakingEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
countries, this object is often called a neckerchief slide in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The knot itself is known as the turk's head knot
Turk's head knot
A Turk's head knot is a decorative knot with a variable number of interwoven strands, forming a closed loop. The name is used to describe the general family of all such knots rather than one individual knot. While generally seen made around a cylinder, the knot can also be deformed into a flat,...
.
External links
- Woggle World
- Exciting Scoutcraft — neckerchief slides, SWAPS, crafts, and activities with detailed instructions for Scouts and Scouters of all ages and skills