What links a New World monkey, a type of cloak, an order of friars and a type of coffee? Let’s find out.
The word capuchin [ˈkæp.ə.tʃɪn] can refer to:
- A monk of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, a.k.a. a Franciscan.
- A garment consisting of a cloak and hood, made in imitation of the dress of Capuchin monks.
- A capuchin monkey.
- A hooded pigeon.
It comes from French capuchin, from capucin (capuchin [monkey], Capuchin friar), from Italian cappuccino (Capuchin [friar], cappuccino [coffee]), from cappuccio (hood, cowl), a diminutive of cappuccio (hood, cowl, top, cabbage), a diminutive of cappa (coat, cloak, cowl, hood, cape, tarpaulin), from Late Latin cappa (cape, hooded cloak, cap), which possibly is related to caput (head) [source].
Related words include cap, cape, chapel, cope and escape in English, capa (clock, cape, cover) in Portuguese, cappello (hat) in Italian, czapka (cap) in Polish, and Kappe (cap, hood) in German [source].
The coffee gets its name from the friars, as it’s a similar shade of brown to their habits. The English word cappuccino comes from Italian cappuccino, which comes from Viennese German Kapuziner (Capuchin [friar]), an abbreviation of Kapuzinerkaffee / Capuzinerkaffee, a type of coffee that emerged in Vienna during the 18th century. The drink spread to northern Italy when it was under Austrian domination, and became known as cappuccino in Italian. The ingredients and the way the drink is made have changed over time [source].
The monkeys are also named after the friars, as the Portuguese explorers who encountered them in the 15th century thought the colours of their fur made them look like little Capuchin friars [source].
