Umbrella.

This is coolbert:

Came across this item quite by accident. ONLY the English?

Nancy Boy - - "Offensive slang. Used as a disparaging term for an effeminate man, especially one who is gay."

Concerning the carrying of umbrellas by officers of-the-line in the British army during the time of Wellington:

"The Duke,[Wellington] usually indifferent to the way his officers chose to dress, drew the line at umbrellas. ‘At Bayonne, in December 1814,’ wrote Captain Gronow of the 1st Foot Guards, ‘His Grace, on looking round, saw, to his surprise, a great many umbrellas, with which the officers protected themselves from the rain that was then falling. Arthur Hill came galloping up to us saying, Lord Wellington does not approve of the use of umbrellas during the enemy’s firing, and will not allow the ‘gentlemen’s sons’ to make themselves ridiculous in the eyes of the army.’ Colonel Tynling, a few days afterwards, received a wigging [to scold or censure.] from Lord Wellington for suffering his officers to carry umbrellas in the face of the enemy; His Lordship observing, ‘The Guards may in uniform, when on duty at St. James’, carry umbrellas if they please, but in the field it is not only ridiculous but un-military'"

The Duke merely wanted his officers not to appear as Nancy Boys! British officers of that period I think at least the preponderance of them not Nancy Boys, but in the military appearances are important.

And as for the samurai with sword carrying an umbrella [parasol?], don't even try to pick a fight with him!

coolbert.