Do You Know How The Umbrella Got Its Name?
At TRAY6 we deal with umbrellas on a daily basis. You probably encounter umbrellas on a daily basis as well – even if they are just stored away for a rainy day. So we thought we’d release some fun little facts about the good ole umbrella that you may not have known before! Here’s a little history on how the umbrella got its name!
An umbrella or parasol is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain. Often the difference is the material; as some parasols are not waterproof. Parasols are often meant to be fixed to one point and often used with patio tables or other outdoor furniture. Umbrellas are almost exclusively hand-held portable devices; however, parasols can also be hand-held.
The word umbrella comes from the Latin word umbra, meaning shade or shadow (the Latin word, in turn, derives from the Ancient Greek ómbros [όμβρος].) The word “umbrella” evolved from the Latin “umbella” (an “umbel” is a flat-topped rounded flower) or “umbra,” meaning “shaded.”
Now you can impress your friends with some fun new trivia!