The Evolution Of Male Scents: Cologne's History

why is male perfume called cologne

The term cologne comes from the German city of Cologne, where the original cologne was created by Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709. Cologne has since become a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men, particularly in American English. This is due to the historical association of perfume with femininity, as well as the lower concentration of fragrances in colognes, which are typically used as aftershaves.

Characteristics Values
Origin of the word 'cologne' Named after the German city of Cologne
Original creator of cologne Giovanni Maria Farina
Year of creation 1709
Original purpose To scent the skin
Typical concentration of perfume oils 2–5%
Typical concentration of alcohol 70–90%
Typical ingredients Citrus oils, including lemon, orange, tangerine, clementine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit, blood orange, bitter orange, and neroli
Typical use in American English Perfumes marketed toward men
Typical use in British English All men's fragrances

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The word 'cologne' comes from the German city of Cologne (Köln)

The word cologne comes from the German city of Cologne (Köln). In 1709, an Italian perfumer by the name of Giovanni Maria Farina (or Johann Maria Farina) created a new fragrance in the city. This perfume, with its unique blend of citrus ingredients, was named Eau de Cologne, meaning 'Water from Cologne' in French. The original Eau de Cologne 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".

Farina's perfume was soon in high demand, and it was delivered to royal courts and houses across Europe. The success of Eau de Cologne inspired many businessmen to create their own fragrances under the same name. Over time, the word "cologne" evolved from being the name of a specific perfume to a generic term for scented formulations with a similar concentration of essential oils, alcohol, and water.

In modern times, particularly in American English, "cologne" has become a term typically used for perfumes marketed towards men. However, it is important to note that the term "cologne" can be applied to perfumes for both men and women, and its usage varies across different cultures and dialects.

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In modern American English, cologne is a generic term for male perfumes

The term "cologne" comes from the German city of Cologne, where the original cologne was created by Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709. The original cologne was a light and refreshing fragrance for the skin, consisting of 2-4% perfume oils in alcohol and water.

In modern American English, "cologne" is a generic term for male perfumes. This usage of the term likely stems from marketing tactics that labelled perfumes for men as "cologne" to make them seem more masculine. However, cologne can be applied to perfumes for men or women, and shifts in society are driving cologne to be unisex once more.

The term "cologne" can also refer to a less concentrated and more affordable version of a popular perfume. This is because colognes have a lower concentration of fragrance oils, resulting in a higher concentration of alcohol. This makes the scent lighter and less long-lasting compared to perfumes, which have a stronger and longer-lasting scent.

While "cologne" is the preferred term in the US, other dialects and countries may use different terms. For example, in Canada, male perfumes are often referred to as "aftershave", and in British English, the term "aftershave" is used for all men's fragrances, regardless of whether they are used after shaving or not. In Europe, "Eau de Cologne" refers to a specific type of fragrance rather than a generic term for male perfumes.

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In other cultures, cologne is a unisex term

In Turkey, cologne is offered to guests in people's homes, continuing a tradition that began when Farina's cologne was brought to the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Abdülhamid II. Eau de Cologne, or "odikolon" in Turkish, is now a common term for cologne in Turkey.

In modern times, shifts in society are driving cologne to be unisex once more. Today, an increasing number of fragrances are marketed as unisex, and brands have moved away from gendered advertising.

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The original cologne was a light, citrusy scent

The original cologne was designed to evoke the scent of an Italian spring morning. In a letter to his brother, Farina described his creation as smelling like "mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain." This fresh and invigorating aroma quickly gained popularity, and Farina's cologne became sought-after by royalty across Europe.

The success of Farina's eau de cologne led to the term "cologne" becoming a generic name for scented formulations with a similar concentration of essential oils, typically between 2% and 5%. These formulations often feature a blend of extracts, alcohol, and water, resulting in a light and refreshing fragrance that is typically worn on the skin.

Over time, the term "cologne" evolved further, particularly in American English. It became commonly associated with perfumes marketed towards men, while "perfume" was primarily used for fragrances aimed at women. This gendered distinction is largely a result of modern marketing strategies and social norms. However, there are signs that these norms are shifting, with an increasing number of fragrances being marketed as unisex.

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Perfume typically has a higher concentration of oils than cologne

The term "cologne" is derived from the German city of Cologne, where the original cologne was created by Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709. It is a perfume with a typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils, blended with extracts, alcohol, and water. The higher the concentration of oils, the stronger the scent and the longer it lasts.

Perfume, or parfum, typically has a concentration of over 20% oil, which is significantly higher than that of cologne. This higher concentration of oils gives perfume a stronger and longer-lasting scent. While cologne may last for a few hours, perfume can usually be smelled for six to eight hours. The higher concentration of oils in perfume also means it often comes with a higher price tag.

The higher concentration of oils in perfume means it contains less alcohol, which can be beneficial for those with sensitive skin as it is less likely to dry it out. Cologne, on the other hand, has a high alcohol content, which can be drying for the skin.

In contemporary American English, the term "cologne" has become a generic term for perfumes marketed towards men. However, it is important to note that this is a gender construct and that anyone can wear perfume or cologne.

Frequently asked questions

The word "cologne" comes from the German city of Cologne, where the original Eau de Cologne was created by Italian perfumer Johann (Giovanni) Maria Farina in 1709.

In contemporary American English, "cologne" has become a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. This is largely due to the association of perfume with women and the desire to market male hygiene products without feminine connotations.

Yes, cologne typically has a lower concentration of fragrance oils (2-5%) and a higher concentration of alcohol, resulting in a lighter scent that doesn't last as long.

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