Limousine,hood.

When I was looking up the word limelight for some reason, I came across the word limousine.
Remembered a hiking trip I once made in the Limousin region, n.w. of the Auvergne, France.I wondered about the possible connection and went searching.

" The word limousine is derived from the name of the French region Limousin, where the inhabitants wore a hood perceived to be similar to the profile of the car."

How come this traditional hat/hood travelled over the big water to name this special American pièce de résistance 'limousine'? It's a long way from home. Any car expert who knows ? I'm curious to know what or who took this word that far.


Last edited by BranShea; 04/15/2007 4:58 AM.