BERLIN

berlin, a four-wheeled carriage with a separate hooded seat behind, detached from the body of the vehicle; so called from having been first used in berlin. it was designed about 1670, by a piedmontese architect in the service of the elector of brandenburg. it was used as a travelling carriage, and swift refers to it in his advice to authors "who scribble in a berlin." as an adjective, the word is used to indicate a special kind of goods, originally made in berlin, of which the best known is berlin wool. a berlin warehouse is a shop for the sale of wools and fancy goods (cf. italian warehouse). the spelling "berlin" is also used by sir walter scott for the "birlinn," a large gaelic rowing-boat.