An apron is a piece of clothing worn over the front of the body to protect clothes while cooking, cleaning, or working.
From Old French "naperon" meaning "small tablecloth" or "little cloth," from "nappe" (cloth). Over time, English speakers reinterpreted "a napron" as "an apron," shifting the "n" over.
Apron is a classic example of a word that changed because people misheard “a napron” as “an apron.” The same kind of slip turned “a nadder” into “an adder” for the snake.
Aprons have been strongly associated with women's domestic labor in many cultures, symbolizing unpaid or undervalued housework. Imagery of aprons has been used in media to reinforce traditional gender roles around cooking and caregiving.
Use "apron" without assuming the gender of the person wearing it, and recognize that cooking and caregiving are roles people of any gender can hold. In professional contexts, treat aprons as safety or cleanliness equipment rather than gender markers.
["protective garment","smock","kitchen apron","work apron"]
When referencing aprons in historical or cultural contexts, acknowledge the extensive, often uncredited domestic labor performed by women and others in caregiving roles.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.