topee

Where does the word "topee" come from? It comes from Hindi topi, and was adopted directly into English (1835).

Topee’s story begins in Hindi: topi meant “a hat, cap.” The everyday word for a hat or cap. It reached English by 1835 as topee. British colonists borrowed the word, later specifically for the pith sun-helmet. Today, topee means a lightweight pith helmet, historically worn as protection from the sun in tropical climates.

1. Stage 1 · Hindi · medieval topi "a hat, cap", the everyday word for a hat or cap.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1835 topee "a lightweight pith sun helmet worn in the tropics", British colonists borrowed the word, later specifically for the pith sun-helmet.