sola topi

Meaning

Noun

• A pith helmet

Origin

• From the shola or sola plant (Aeschynomene aspera, L.) -- whose pith is used -- and "topi" or "tope", Hindi for "hat". The pith helmet was popularised by the British colonials who wore them while inspecting farms or travelling. The reason for using sola as the material for the hat is its lightness and as insulator of heat so that maximum comfort is derived for the protection of the head from the scorching heat of the sun in tropical country.