Since 1906, the word tarp has been a common shorthand for tarpaulin. Today tarps are just as likely to be made from vinyl or polyethylene, but they were once uniformly heavy canvas that had been treated with tar to make it water resistant.
Why is it called a tarpaulin?
In early seafaring communities, sailors were known as tarpaulins because they slept on deck under a strong fabric waterproofed with tar. The word tarpaulin comes from tar and palling—another 17th Century name for sheets used to cover objects on ships.
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Is a tarpaulin waterproof?
A tarpaulin (/tɑːrˈpɔːlɪn/ tar-PAW-lin, also US: /ˈtɑːrpəlɪn/) or tarp is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof material, often cloth such as canvas or polyester coated with polyurethane, or made of plastics such as polyethylene.
What kind of material is tarpaulin?
A tarp or tarpaulin is a large sheet of water-resistant & fire-resistant cloth or plastic material made of canvas, polyester or polyethylene.
What is tarp short for?
Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)
Why is a tarp called a tarp?
1. In early seafaring communities, sailors were known as tarpaulins because they slept on deck under a strong fabric waterproofed with tar. The word tarpaulin comes from tar and palling—another 17th Century name for sheets used to cover objects on ships.
What is the use of tarpaulin?
Tarpaulins are used in many ways to protect persons and things from wind, rain, and sunlight. They are used during construction or after disasters to protect partially built or damaged structures, to prevent mess during painting and similar activities, and to contain and collect debris.