"MACKINTOSH" - What's in a name?

[Nick York]

Ever since I discovered, as a boy, that the garments which had such a powerful affect on me were "mackintoshes", the word itself has had a fascination all its own. It may simply be the inventor's name (with the K added) but it just happens to be a virtual onomatopoeia and its pronunciation coincidentally evokes those wonderful sounds the garments produce from the ripple-roppling of walking in a mackintosh to the cacophony of bulking, twanking and swishing when more athletic activity takes place in one or when you get into or out of a mackintosh.

Bearing in mind this topic is predominantly for those who, like myself, prefer their waterproofs to be rubber, rubberised or rubber-lined, the affect of hearing the word has always made me prick my ears up! The word and its abbreviation "mac" or "mack" has increasingly become a misnomer and used to refer to any raincoat - including the decidedly unwaterproof cotton trenchcoats and rainwear in general but when it is genuinely used, it brings with it all the stimulating implications of a real MACKINTOSH - the sounds, smells, susurrus, heat and sealed protection. Until the '70s/'80s, Moss Bros stores had instore departments listed which included "RAINCOATS AND MACKINTOSHES" which suggested a company who knew what they were talking about. For many years the "Moss Bros Mackintosh" was one of their best sellers and they supplied many thousands to military and other organisations where mackintoshes were essential as well as to untold members of the public.

I was once trying on several mackintoshes in an independent outfitters, they included both single and double texture macks and the young assistant insisted that the single texture ones were "macks* whereas the double texture ones were "mackinTOSHes" with that third syllable heavily stressed. That certainly intrigued me! Much more recently, a pal in our fraternity/sisterhood liked to have the word repeatedly enunciated during play - either on its own or in a stimulating sentence. Additional stress on the third syllable coincided with sudden, extra strength in the proceedings to the point where gasping takes over and the whole word can no longer be shouted.

Pedantic? Possibly. Specialised? Likely. Exciting? For me, always!

Nick

[blackmacjay]

I agree with this writer.

He is a superb example of the kind of person I wish I was.

[Nick York]

Thanks blackmacjay; what we have in common is spellbinding isn't it? I've just come home in an officer's riding mackintosh and because the weather's mild and showery here, it's slightly damp and smells quite strongly - I'm in no hurry to take it off now!

[blackmacjay]

Then, I would say, DON'T.

[Rives]

Mother always referred to it as a "mackintosh".

"Put your gaberdine/ nylon mackintosh on right away"
"I'm taking you to the outfitters for a new mackintosh whether you like it or not"

[rubnylon2]

That magical word "Mackintosh" not only made my ears prick up but other parts of me became excited at that wonderful word and still do.

[Nick York]

Best word in the language!

[Sbrmacfanman]

Totally agree with you Nick, 'MACKINTOSH', I could say it over and over again.

[merv]

is it just me or does macintosh sound really absurd, surely mac is far more the word for the 21st century. what do others think of this

[blackmacjay]

Not for me.

A "mac" is any kind of rainwear but ....

A "mackintosh" means a rubberized garment of some kind.