In American English, the term cologne has a unique meaning that differs from its original definition. While it originally referred to a specific perfume originating from Cologne, Germany, created by Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709, it has evolved into a generic term for perfumes marketed specifically toward men. In the American context, cologne is often associated with a less concentrated and more affordable version of a popular fragrance, typically with a concentration of 2-5% essential oils. This differentiation in the usage of the term cologne is an interesting cultural twist, reflecting the specific market dynamics and preferences within the American fragrance industry.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Generic term for | Perfumes marketed toward men |
--- | Less concentrated, more affordable version of a popular perfume |
Concentration of oil in alcohol and water | 2-5% |
--- | 2-4% |
Lasting power | 2 hours |
Type of essential oils | Citrus oils, including lemon, orange, tangerine, clementine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit, blood orange, bitter orange, and neroli |
--- | Oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, petitgrain (orange leaf), jasmine, olive, oleaster, and tobacco |
Other names | Eau de Cologne, Cologne water |
What You'll Learn
- Cologne is a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men in America
- It is a weak, diluted perfume with a low concentration of oil in alcohol and water
- The term originates from the city of Cologne, Germany, where it was first manufactured in 1709
- It is also known as eau de cologne or toilet water
- Cologne is often sold as a less concentrated, more affordable version of a popular perfume
Cologne is a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men in America
In contemporary American English, the term "cologne" has become a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. It may also refer to a less concentrated and more affordable version of a popular perfume.
The term "cologne" originates from the German city of Cologne, where it was first manufactured in 1709 by Giovanni Maria Farina. The original Eau de Cologne was a spirit-citrus perfume with a blend of extracts, alcohol, and water. It contained a mixture of citrus oils, including lemon, orange, tangerine, and bergamot, among others. The term "cologne" can be applied to perfumes for both men and women, but in American English, it typically refers to perfumes marketed specifically for men.
In modern times, cologne has become a generic term for scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils, alcohol, and water. It is often used to describe fragrances for younger people, as they tend to be lighter, fresher, and less concentrated than traditional perfumes. The concentration of oils in cologne gives it a shorter lasting power, usually lasting for about two hours.
While the term "cologne" is now associated with men's fragrances in American English, it is important to note that the original Eau de Cologne created by Giovanni Maria Farina was delivered to "nearly all royal houses in Europe" and was not specifically marketed toward men or women. The term "cologne" has evolved over time to take on a more masculine connotation in the American fragrance market.
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It is a weak, diluted perfume with a low concentration of oil in alcohol and water
In contemporary American usage, the term "cologne" has become a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. It is a weak, diluted perfume with a low concentration of oil in alcohol and water.
Cologne, or eau de cologne, is a mildly perfumed toilet water. It is a liquid similar to perfume but not as strongly scented or as long-lasting. It is composed of fragrant essential oils and alcohol. Typically, colognes have a two to four per cent concentration of perfume oils in alcohol and water. This low concentration of oils means that colognes are usually cheaper than perfumes.
The term "cologne" originates from the city of Cologne, Germany, where it was first manufactured in 1709 by Giovanni Maria Farina. The original eau de cologne was a spirit-citrus perfume. It contained a mixture of citrus oils, including lemon, orange, tangerine, clementine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit, blood orange, bitter orange, and neroli. It could also contain oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, petitgrain (orange leaf), jasmine, olive, oleaster, and tobacco.
Today, cologne has become a generic term for any perfume for men or women. However, in American English, it typically refers to perfumes marketed specifically toward men.
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The term originates from the city of Cologne, Germany, where it was first manufactured in 1709
The term "cologne" has an interesting history that dates back to the 18th century and is closely tied to the city of Cologne in Germany.
Cologne, or "Eau de Cologne" in French, originated in the city it was named after – Cologne, Germany. It was first created in 1709 by Italian perfume maker Giovanni Maria Farina, who had settled in the city. Farina's original formula for cologne was a spirit-citrus perfume, which he described as reminiscent of "an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain". This fragrance was initially used purely as a perfume and was delivered to royal houses across Europe.
The success of Farina's Eau de Cologne led to the term "cologne" becoming a generic name for scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils, alcohol, and water. However, the term can also be used more broadly to refer to formulations with higher concentrations of essential oils, resulting in a stronger fragrance.
In contemporary American English usage, the term "cologne" has evolved to specifically refer to perfumes marketed towards men. It often signifies a less concentrated and more affordable version of a popular fragrance. This usage of the term is in contrast to perfume, which is typically used for fragrances marketed towards women.
The city of Cologne, Germany, has played a significant role in the world of perfumery, with the original Eau de Cologne formula still being produced there since its creation in 1709. The world's oldest fragrance factory, established by Farina, can also be found in this city.
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It is also known as eau de cologne or toilet water
In contemporary American English usage, the term "cologne" has become a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. It also refers to a less concentrated, more affordable version of a popular perfume.
The term "cologne" is derived from the French "eau de cologne" or German "Kölnisch Wasser", both of which mean "Water from Cologne". It is a perfume originating from Cologne, Germany, and was originally mixed by Johann Maria Farina (Giovanni Maria Farina) in 1709.
"Cologne" is also used as a generic term for scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2-5% of essential oils or a blend of extracts, alcohol, and water. It can be in the form of a liquid or a solid. The concentration of oil, alcohol, and water gives fragrances their names. Cologne (eau de cologne) typically has a concentration of 2-4% perfume oils in alcohol and water and lasts for about two hours.
The term "eau de cologne" or "cologne water" is also used to refer to a mildly perfumed toilet water. This usage of the term is especially common in British English.
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Cologne is often sold as a less concentrated, more affordable version of a popular perfume
In contemporary American usage, "cologne" is a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. It is a kind of weak perfume, a perfumed liquid or solid made of fragrant essential oils and alcohol.
The difference in concentration means that cologne is cheaper to produce and, therefore, more affordable for consumers. It is also less strong and does not last as long as other fragrances. Cologne usually lasts for less than an hour, while eau de toilette lasts for about three hours and perfume (eau de parfum) for about five to eight hours.
The original Eau de Cologne was created in 1709 by Giovanni Maria Farina, an Italian perfume maker who had moved to the German city of Cologne. It was a spirit-citrus perfume, and Farina described it as smelling "like an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain".
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Frequently asked questions
In America, cologne is a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. It can also refer to a less concentrated, more affordable version of a popular perfume.
The term "cologne" comes from the French "eau de cologne", which means "water from Cologne". It was originally mixed in Cologne, Germany in 1709.
Cologne and perfume differ in their concentration of oil in alcohol and water. Cologne typically contains 2-5% perfume oil, while perfume contains 15-20%. This means that cologne is less strongly scented and doesn't last as long as perfume.