Well attestedNamed for a product of the place
denim
noun · first attested 17th century
The cloth is named for Nîmes, not for jeans.
A sturdy cotton twill cloth, usually dyed indigo.
Record
- Relationship
- Named for a product of the place
- Confidence
- Well attestedThe place link is the standard scholarly account.
- Attested
- 17th century
- Part of speech
- noun
Explanations here are written for this atlas. Dictionary text is not copied; the sources are linked so the claim can be checked.
- Step 1
Nîmes
- Step 2
serge de Nîmes
- In English
denim
English took the name from French serge de Nîmes, twill associated with the city of Nîmes. The fabric later became the body of workwear, then of jeans.
France
All 57 entries 56 more words from France
bayonetThe blade is traditionally tied to a port in the Basque country.BayonnechampagneThe drink is a place-name first, a party word second.ChampagnecognacThe brandy is the town’s name in a glass.CognaccayenneThe heat is named for a capital on the Atlantic coast of South America.CayennelimousineThe luxury car is named for a cloak from Limousin.LimogesroquefortThe blue cheese is a village in the Aveyron.Roquefort-sur-SoulzoncamembertThe cheese is a Norman village.CamembertBeaujolaisThe wine is named for a former lordship, not a town.Beaujolais