>Anyways, I am still searching for a definitive answer to
this
>elusive question. Over the years I have come to assume
that
>"oilskin" is some type of plastic wrap, perhaps similar to
a sheet
>of plastic tarp, etc. but nobody has ever confirmed such
is the
>case. Seeing as how oilwax is a uniquely British product
which I
>have not seen here in the states I figured that somebody
in the UK
>could finally answer this inquiry.
Just about bang on, old bean. 'Oilskin' is basically an oil
impregnated cloth. Its main use, as far as I can remember,
was as clothing for people such as fishermen out at sea in
a storm (or even early sports car drivers, I suppose). A
suit made of the stuff would be known by the plural
'oilskins'. I don't know whether the oil was animal,
vegetable or mineral I'm afraid but it certainly would not
have been synthetic!
Boring but basically true.
Have a jolly spiffing day,
Phil
Phil Willson
Electronic Engineering Dept
Queen Mary and Westfield College
Mile End Road
London E1 4NS
UK
Tel: +44 (0)171 975 5338
Fax: +44 (0)181 981 0259
email: p.j.willson@qmw.ac.uk
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