What does macintosh mean?
A macintosh is a waterproof outer garment, normally a raincoat and traditionally fitted with a hood. Its name became attached to the garment in the early nineteenth century after James Macintosh, a Scottish inventor associated with the development of waterproof rubber-treated fabric. The word was soon used for the raincoat itself, especially in Britain, although the spelling “mackintosh” became and remains common. A second established sense refers to a firm, late-season eating apple, usually identified by its red-and-green skin and crisp flesh. The capitalized name of a historically influential computer line adds another familiar association, but that usage is proprietary and separate from ordinary lower-case reference to the coat. Today, “macintosh” remains useful in British English for a practical waterproof coat, while speakers in North America are more likely to use “raincoat.”
A waterproof raincoat, traditionally made with a hood.
"He wore a mustard-coloured macintosh against the cold rain."
Common in British English; “mackintosh” is an established alternative spelling. The term is also used in North America, though “raincoat” is more usual there.
A variety of eating apple with crisp, mildly sweet flesh and typically red-and-green skin.
"The Macintosh apple keeps its shape well when baked."
Usually capitalized in references to the named variety.
The usual plural of the lower-case word for the waterproof coat; the named apple variety is normally used as “Macintosh apples.”
"Several old macintoshes hung on hooks behind the door."
The famous line of computers shares its name with a classic apple variety, while the earlier waterproof coat was named after the Scottish inventor James Macintosh.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does macintosh come from?
The word comes from the surname Macintosh, or its common variant Mackintosh. The waterproof garment was named in the early nineteenth century after the Scottish inventor James Macintosh, who developed methods of making fabric resistant to rain. The surname itself developed as a Scottish Gaelic patronymic beginning with Mac, meaning “son of,” although the precise personal-name element should not be inferred from the English spelling alone.
How macintosh is actually used
The lower-case spelling is chiefly associated with the raincoat, particularly in British usage. “Mackintosh” is also widely used, while the capitalized historical computer name and the apple name have specialized references.
Easily confused with macintosh
Both spellings refer to the waterproof coat, but “mackintosh” is the common British spelling while “macintosh” is also the established name of a well-known apple variety and an older line of computers.