Tag: umbrella

Wikipedia says: An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is usually mounted on a wooden or metal pole. It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. The term umbrella is traditionally used when protecting oneself from rain, with parasol used when protecting oneself from sunlight, though the terms continue to be used interchangeably. Often the difference is the material used for the canopy; some parasols are not waterproof. There are also combinations of parasol and umbrella that are called en-tout-cas (French for “in any case”).

Parasols are occasionally called sunshades. An umbrella may also be called a brolly (UK slang), parapluie (nineteenth century, French origin), rainshade, gamp (British, informal, dated), or bumbershoot (rare, facetious American slang). When used for snow, it’s called a paraneige.