Did you know these English words for cloth and fabric have originated from France?

Last week we looked at India’s contribution of words related to cloth in the English language. The French are not far behind. The Jacquard loom, an extraordinary innovation that revolutionised textile production, holds a significant place in history. It was named after Joseph Marie Jacquard of Lyons, who invented a groundbreaking loom around 1800. Jacquard introduced an automated system utilising a chain of punched cards to create a sequence, resulting in an intricate and luxurious craftsmanship. For the first time, weavers gained the ability to produce patterns of seemingly boundless complexity on a large scale. Additionally, Jacquard’s punched-card method served as a significant inspiration for Charles Babbage, who pioneered the first mechanical computer in the 1820s.

“Chambray” shares a significant connection with denim, particularly in its defining feature – the incorporation of a white horizontal thread in the fabric’s weave. The true elegance of this technique becomes evident as the fabrics mature, with the white weft gradually becoming more prominent over time. The roots of the term “Chambray” trace back to 1801 and are associated with the French town of Cambrai, which in turn gave us the term “Cambric”. Cambrai town was a hub for the production of early plain-weave workwear fabrics.

The term “Chevron”, derived from the Old French word chevron, meaning “rafter”, refers to a V-shaped symbol. This symbol is formed by two diagonal lines meeting at an angle, presenting either an inverted or upright “V” shape. “Chevron” made its way into the English language in the 14th century, though evidence of the design dates back to 1800 B.C. The Chevron pattern was initially a single “V” shape but it evolved over time. Textile designs featuring the Chevron pattern emerged in 1962 with the production of the first fabric incorporating this design. Modern Chevron fabrics consist of multiple V shapes arranged closely, resulting in a pattern resembling a zigzag.

“Moiré” has its roots in the French language and can be traced back to the 17th century. In its adjectival form, moiré means “shimmering” and refers to a textile, typically crafted from silk, that exhibits a distinctive rippled or ‘watered’ appearance. The distinctive wood grain look was first attained by compressing and steaming two layers of horizontally textured fabric along their length. The irregular and closely spaced threads give rise to a unique undulating design, known as the Moiré effect, which persists even after the fabric has dried.