Definition of the word ascot

The word "ascot" originates from the small town of Ascot in Berkshire, England. In the early 19th century, the British Royal Family began hosting an annual horse race at Ascot Racecourse. As a result, wealthy gentlemen would gather in the area to attend the races, and they would wear a specific kind of necktie known as a "cravat." However, these cravats would often slip down and cause discomfort, leading to the need for a new style that would stay in place. One gentleman, the 5th Winston Churchill, was particularly bothered by this issue and commissioned his tailor to create a special necktie with a special knot that would keep it securely in place. The design involved wrapping the necktie around the neck twice, then bringing the ends to the front and tying them in a distinctive knot. This new style became known as the "Cravatascot" or simply "ascot," after the town where the Royal Family's racecourse was located. The ascot gained popularity among the fashionable elite and eventually spread beyond the racing community. Today, it is still commonly worn as a symbol of British style and refinement, particularly at events like weddings, royal functions, and horse races.