Bumbershoot

/ˈbʌmbərˌʃuːt/ noun

Definition

A humorous or informal word for an umbrella, particularly a large one.

Etymology

A whimsical American coinage from the late 1800s, blending 'umbrella' with 'shoot,' possibly influenced by 'bumper' (meaning large) and the playful sound of umbrella words.

Kelly Says

'Bumbershoot' is pure American nonsense-word creativity—someone probably said it once as a joke about how umbrellas open with a little 'shoot' sound, and it somehow stuck.

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