Where did the word gumband come from and what does it mean?

The word "gumband" is a bit of a misnomer. It's actually a shortened version of "rubber band," and it's likely that the term originated in the early 20th century, around the time rubber bands started to be used commonly.

Here's why it's misleading:

* Rubber bands aren't made of gum: They're made from vulcanized rubber, a material that's much more durable than gum.

* They don't resemble gum: They're not sticky or chewable.

So, "gumband" is simply a slang term that stuck, likely due to its simplicity and ease of pronunciation. However, it's more accurate to use the term "rubber band" when referring to these versatile elastic bands.