Slickers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of waterproof raincoat typically made of shiny, smooth material that provides protection against wet weather
2. Garments designed to shield the wearer from rain, often characterized by a glossy finish and long sleeves
3. Outerwear that is specifically crafted to repel moisture, commonly used in outdoor activities during rainy conditions

Etymology: Before "slicker" named a raincoat, it was simply someone or something that made surfaces smooth. The adjective "slick" meant smooth, glossy, or sleek, and the agent suffix "-er" turned it into a noun for whatever did the smoothing. The raincoat sense grew from that: a coat that makes water slide off, which is why the plain word "slick" also came to describe something smooth enough to slip on. The "-er" ending itself has a long pedigree. It descends from Latin "-arius", which passed through Old French "-ier" into Middle English "-er", the same suffix found in words like "baker" or "miner". So the outerwear word is a plain combination of an English adjective and a very old English noun-forming ending.

Synonyms: raincoats, jackets, coats, outerwear, protective clothing