Learn English – the origin of the term “cooling glass” as the term for sunglasses in Indian English

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I live in India, and in the region where I live, I have never heard the term "sunglasses" used while speaking English. The term used here is "cooling glass" (in singular.) The term gets used quite a lot, since sunglasses are popular. (It's the tropics, can you blame us?)

The word "cooling" kind of makes sense. Sunglasses do have a somewhat "cooling" effect.

But I'm curious as to the exact origin of the term. I don't see any trace of such a term in UK/US/AU/NZ/CA English. AFAIK, they all refer to them as "sunglasses."

How did Indian English come to refer to this as "cooling glass"? Was it once a standard term in British English? Has the term come from elsewhere? Or did it just occur somewhat randomly and then gain ground?

By the way, I haven't traveled all over India, much less discussed sunglasses everywhere, so maybe this is only the case in some areas? Can native speakers of Indian English fill me in?

Example of usage from recent Kollywood blockbuster:

Screnshot with "Cooling" subtitle

Screnshot

Does the term originate from Indian English itself? If yes, how? Or did it come from another dialect, such as British or American English?

Best Answer

The expression is from the late '70s, probably on the notion of cooling down the eyes from the hot sun. I can't find any evidence that the expression was originally a BrE or AmE one, I think it is an original Indian English one.

Cooling glasses, also Coolers (noun - sunglasses INDIA)

  • I bought a pair of cooling glasses today–the sun was so bright. 1979

(The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English)

This citation from: Madras (India : State). Dept. of Industries, Labour and Housing (Labour) n.d, 1962, suggests that the expression was probably already used during the '60s.

  • A sum of Rs. 100 bas been paid as subsidy by the management to the recreation club. Spectacles at company's cost have been supplied to such employees who completed 5 years of service. Cooling glasses have been supplied to all drivers.
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