How did the term trenchcoat originate?

Answer 1

The trench coat is a descendant of the heavy serge coats worn by French and British soldiers in World War 1. The trench coat was invented by Thomas Burberry (he also invented the gabardine fabric), who submitted a design for an army officer's raincoat to the war office of the UK in 1901. Burberry's raincoat subsequently became part of the service uniform of British officers. During WWI, the design was modified to include D-rings and shoulder straps. The latter material looks like leather and was dubbed "trench coat" by the soldiers in the trenches. Many veterans returning to civilian life kept their coats and they became fashionable for both men and women. Towards the end of WWII, the trenchcoat became part of all enlisted men's and officers' kits in the armed forces of many countries.