Question

True or false?
In England of the 1700s, men and women conformed to the same customs regarding umbrellas.
I say false. Am I right?

Answer 1

Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Here is something interesting:

umbrella
1609, first attested in Donne's letters, from It. ombrello, from L.L. umbrella, altered (by influence of umbra) from L. umbella "sunshade, parasol," dim. of umbra "shade, shadow" (see umbrage). A sunshade in the Mediterranean, a shelter from the rain in England; in late 17c. usage, usually as an Oriental or African symbol of dignity. Said to have been used by women in England from c.1700; the first rain-umbrella carried by a man there was traditionally c.1760, by Jonas Hathaway, noted traveler and philanthropist. Fig. sense of "authority, unifying quality" (usually in a phrase such as under the umbrella of) is recorded from 1948.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

Answer 2

So I was correct? By the way, I thought it was Jonas Hanway, not Hathaway..

Answer 3

I highly recommend an article about umbrella history and a greatly improved design
http://www.senzumbrellas.com/
that appeared in The New Yorker about a month ago. You can probably find it in a library (but not online).

Answer 4

Here is the umbrella article I recommended. It IS available online.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/02/11/080211fa_fact_orlean