"What's an anorak, Mum?"

We are very lucky that, every year, some universities and illustration schools, such as Nottingham, Falmouth, LCC and Mimaster Illustrazione invite us to do lectures and live briefs.

2026 marks the year that I have officially felt old because, after a round of lectures conducted last week, I have realised that: 1. some of the students we teach are younger than our mags 2. no-one seems to know what an anorak is! 

So let Granny Anorak explain:

- an 'anorak' is a raincoat. It is one that you pull over your head and has a pocket at the front, which then turns into a small pouch. So when the rain stops, you can carry it around. Like that (but less gorpcore!) 

- Also, an 'anorak' in British slang is a nerd. You can read why here. 

So, why would I choose to call a magazine a 'raincoat for nerds'?!!

Because, as a kid, as soon as the weather turned grey, my mum used to insist I carry or wear a red anorak. When I was looking for a name for our Happy Mag, I went trawling through my childhood memories and this was the first one that came up! On top of that, kids are naturally nerdy, they love collecting stuff and are curious about everything.

I loved the double meaning of the word so Anorak it became and 20 years later, Anorak it still is, even if it's clearly a vintage word now!

Long may live all Anoraks! 

Cathy x