The word
materac (mattress) originates from the Italian
materasso and
materazzo, which in their
original meaning simply referred to an ordinary, traditional
cushion. However, the history of this word has a longer course, tracing back to the
Arabic language. The word "materac" was borrowed from the Arabic
matrah, which meant a cushion for sitting.
When the term
materac entered the Italian language, it acquired new
meanings and associations, becoming a term for comfortable sleeping surfaces. This word also made its way into other European languages such as
German, English, or Russian, although in slightly altered forms.
In the
German language, and at a certain point in
Russia and Poland as well, this word underwent a transformation and the rejection of
some elements associated with the original Italian forms
materasso or materazzo. In this way, the German language gave rise to
matratze, the English language adopted the word
mattress, and in Poland, the word
materac, which closely resembles the original.
With the
industrial revolution and technological progress in the 19th century, mattress production became more
mass-produced and accessible to a wider population. Mattress fillings began to include
coils, and later other innovative materials, contributing to
greater comfort and ergonomics.
The etymology of the word
materac shows that its origin dates back to ancient times, and the
evolution of this term is the result of changes not only in language but also in
evolving standards of comfort and sleep. This underscores that a
mattress is not just furniture but also a part of our
culture and heritage, connecting the past with the present.