Quizmail Q89

[Dizzbot]

Give the five letter name derived from American Spanish meaning 'toasted' of the durable coarse cotton twill fabric usually khaki coloured that is used to make military uniforms and casual trousers.

I can find several fabrics to fit a usage description but the 'toasted' bit is a problem. Any clues anyone can give would be gratefully accepted.

[crofter]

I'd like to bet it's CHINO but I have yet to get the "toasted" link!

[barender]

Look up your five letter fabrics in a good dictionary which will give you the etymology for the words - that's how I find it

[crofter]

Sp. chino "toasted," earlier (via notion of skin color) "child of one white parent, one Indian" (fem. china), from Quechua china "female animal, servant.

[Dizzbot]

Thanks a lot chaps - it's the good dictionary part that was missing plus me getting the totstado bit into my head and skipping merrily past chino!

[Quizmonkey]

If it's any consolation Chambers, the usual bible for such questions, doesn't give the etymology!

[barender]

Don't know if it's any help to you researchers, but about 6 years ago I invested in an Encyclopaedic Dictionary, which, as you would imagine, combines both. It is indispensable to me and contains all sorts of more obscure words and their meanings. Sadly, you could say, I got it from Reader's Digest, but it's worth every penny.

[silly moo]

Chambers is not a good one for quizmail - Vic and Dave don't like the spellings in there!