macintosh
B2Neutral to formal; the clothing sense is somewhat dated but still understood.
Definition
Meaning
A full-length waterproof raincoat, typically made of rubberized or synthetic material.
1. (Capitalized) A brand of personal computers manufactured by Apple Inc. 2. (Capitalized) A variety of red apple with a red and green skin. 3. Historically, a type of lightweight rubberized fabric used for waterproof garments.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is often a historical reference to the original raincoat invented by Charles Macintosh (1766-1843). In modern everyday contexts, the computer brand is more frequent. The standard variant spelling is 'mackintosh' in British English for the garment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'mac' or 'mackintosh' (spelling variant) is a recognized, though somewhat old-fashioned, term for a raincoat. In American English, the term is rarely used for clothing; 'raincoat' or 'trench coat' are more common. The Apple computer brand is dominant in both varieties.
Connotations
UK: The clothing term evokes a classic, practical British garment. US: Primarily associated with the computer brand.
Frequency
The clothing sense is significantly more common in UK English than in US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] wore a macintosh.A macintosh was hanging on the peg.He was clad in a macintosh.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'macintosh']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in the context of the technology company Apple (e.g., 'The new Macintosh line was launched today.').
Academic
Used in historical or material culture studies regarding 19th-century inventions and clothing.
Everyday
Most commonly refers to the Apple computer. The raincoat sense is understood but infrequently used.
Technical
In computing, refers specifically to the family of Apple personal computers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He bought a new macintosh because it rains a lot.
- She has an Apple Macintosh computer.
- The detective's long macintosh was perfect for the rainy weather.
- My first computer was a classic Macintosh.
- Pulling the collar of his macintosh up against the wind, he continued down the foggy street.
- The early Macintosh computers revolutionized user interface design.
- The vintage macintosh, though technologically superseded by modern breathable fabrics, retains a certain sartorial elegance.
- Developing software for the Macintosh ecosystem requires adherence to specific human interface guidelines.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Mac' (like the computer) + 'in' + 'tosh' (sounds like 'splash') – a computer you shouldn't take out in the rain without a coat!
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A LAYER (The macintosh is a protective layer against the elements).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'Mакintosh' (the computer) when the context is about clothing. The direct Russian translation for the raincoat is 'плащ' or 'непромокаемый плащ'.
- The apple variety 'McIntosh' is a different word, though homophonous.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'mackintosh' (UK standard for garment) vs. 'macintosh' (US/common for computer).
- Using it generically for any coat instead of specifically a waterproof one.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'macintosh' most commonly used to mean a raincoat?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For the raincoat, 'mackintosh' is the original and more common British spelling. 'Macintosh' is a variant, but it is the standard spelling for the Apple computer.
Yes, in British English, 'mac' is a common short form for 'mackintosh' (the raincoat). In American English, 'Mac' almost exclusively refers to the computer.
There is no direct connection. The computer was named after the McIntosh apple variety, but the spelling was altered for legal reasons. The raincoat is named after its Scottish inventor, Charles Macintosh.
Originally, it referred to a coat made from rubberized fabric. Now, it can be used more generically for a waterproof raincoat, though it often implies a full-length, classic style.
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