Mackintoshes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A waterproof coat often made of rubberized fabric worn to protect against rain
2. A type of raincoat that combines functionality with style, typically associated with a long-cut design
3. A stylish outer garment designed to resist moisture and provide comfort during wet weather

Etymology: The plural "mackintoshes" is simply the plural of "mackintosh," the waterproof coat named after Charles Macintosh (1766–1843), a Scottish chemist who patented a method of waterproofing cloth with rubber in 1823. The surname is spelled without the "k" in his own name, so the coat's spelling is a later alteration that crept in and stuck. Macintosh's invention began with a practical problem. He dissolved rubber in naphtha, a solvent, and spread the mixture between two layers of cloth, producing a fabric that kept rain out. Early versions were sticky and smelled strongly of solvent, and many wearers found the coats uncomfortable in warm weather, which is part of why the design went through so many refinements.

Synonyms: raincoats, overcoats, trench coats, waterproofs, jackets