Crayola is a well-known brand of coloring tools for children. The spelling is derived from the French word "craie" meaning chalk, and "ola" a shortened version of "oleaginous" which means oily. The word is pronounced \kray-oh-luh\ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "cr" is pronounced with a hard "k" sound, while the "y" makes a long "a" sound. The "a" at the end of the word is pronounced with a short "uh" sound. It's important to spell words correctly to ensure clear communication in speaking and writing.
Crayola refers to a popular brand of art supplies, specifically crayons, that are widely used by children and artists alike. The term "Crayola" has become synonymous with crayons in many English-speaking countries.
Crayola crayons are characterized by their vibrant colors, smooth texture, and the ability to produce bright and vivid drawings. They are made from a combination of paraffin wax, pigments, and other ingredients, which are molded into a stick shape. Each crayon is wrapped in a paper label that indicates its color and bears the Crayola logo.
The word "Crayola" is often used not only to describe the actual crayons, but also the wider range of art supplies produced by the company. These include colored pencils, markers, paints, and other materials designed for drawing, coloring, and creative expression.
Crayola products have gained significant popularity due to their high quality, wide range of available colors, and their non-toxic nature. The brand continuously expands its product line to cater to different age groups, skill levels, and artistic preferences.
In everyday usage, the term "Crayola" has become a genericized trademark, used to refer to any brand of crayons. However, it is important to note that the term specifically refers to the products manufactured by the Crayola company, a division of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
The word "Crayola" is believed to be a combination of two separate sources. The first part, "craie", comes from the French word for "chalk". The second part, "ola", is a reference to the oily consistency of the early crayons. The name "Crayola" was created by Edwin Binney, one of the founders of the company that would later become Crayola LLC. The word was chosen to be memorable and easy to pronounce.