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Thursday, April 25, 2024
Origin Stories

What’s the origin of the word “denim”?

By  Cecil Adams
   
SHARE What’s the origin of the word “denim”?

Dear Cecil: I’ve heard the fabric we know as denim originated in a French town called Neise but pronounced Nen, hence “de Nen,” or denim. True? George Manaras, Baltimore

Cecil replies:

No, but you’re in the ballpark, which is about all we can hope for these days. Denim was originally known as serge de Nimes, pronounced “neem,” Nimes being the French town where the stuff was first made.

Cecil Adams

Send questions to Cecil via cecil@straightdope.com.