mackintosh
C2Formal, dated, chiefly British
Definition
Meaning
A full-length waterproof coat made of rubberized fabric.
A generic term for a raincoat; also refers to the waterproof fabric itself. Historically, the fabric was rubberised cloth invented by Charles Macintosh.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to a specific style of coat, often with connotations of classic or old-fashioned British attire. The word can also be used as a countable noun to mean 'a raincoat'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is primarily used in British English; in American English, 'raincoat', 'trench coat', or simply 'coat' are far more common. In American English, 'Macintosh' is primarily known as a brand of computer.
Connotations
In British English, it can evoke a traditional, somewhat formal, or historical image. In American English, if understood, it sounds distinctly British and old-fashioned.
Frequency
High-frequency regionalism in British English (though declining in favour of 'raincoat'), very low-frequency in American English except in historical or stylistic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to wear a mackintoshdressed in a mackintosha mackintosh against the rainVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As useful as a mackintosh in a desert (rare, humorous idiom for something useless in a given context).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Uncommon, except perhaps in retail for clothing descriptions (e.g., 'traditional mackintosh').
Academic
Used in historical or material culture studies regarding 19th-century inventions and fashion.
Everyday
Used by older generations in the UK; younger speakers may say 'raincoat' or 'mac'.
Technical
In textiles, refers to the specific rubber-laminated waterproof fabric invented by Macintosh.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The mackintosh fabric proved remarkably durable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He put on his mackintosh because it was raining.
- The detective, wearing a beige mackintosh, waited in the doorway.
- Despite the vintage mackintosh's classic appeal, she preferred a more modern waterproof jacket.
- The inventor's patent for the mackintosh cloth revolutionized outdoor wear in the damp British climate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Charles Macintosh IN a Trench - he invented the coat to stay dry in it.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A LAYER (The mackintosh is a layer shielding from the hostile element of rain).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'плащ-макинтош', which is a direct borrowing but less common than 'плащ' (raincoat). The Russian word 'макинтош' is a historicism/archaism.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'mackintosh', 'machintosh', or 'macintosh'. Confusing it with the Apple Macintosh computer brand.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'mackintosh' in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Mackintosh' specifically refers to a coat made from rubberised fabric, named after its inventor. 'Raincoat' is the generic term for any coat designed to repel rain.
Yes, in British English it is commonly shortened to 'mac', as in 'I'll just grab my mac'.
The inventor's name was Charles Macintosh, but the 'k' spelling ('mackintosh') became a common generic term for the coat, accepted in dictionaries.
Modern versions may use advanced waterproof fabrics, but the original and some traditional models used rubberised cotton.
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