The word “cabriolet” has a French origin that was derived back in the 1800's that referred to a horse-drawn carriage with two wheels and a top that could be pulled over the two occupants of the carriage when weather became bad.

Where was the convertible invented?

The technology surfaced in an American production car when Ford introduced the 1957–1959 Skyliner, and all modern variants can trace their roots back to prewar France. Another innovation that saved the convertible from its 1920s nadir was the power-operated convertible top, which Plymouth introduced in 1939.

What language is the word cabriolet?

The French word "cabriolet" is derived from the Latin word “capreolus,” which is a diminutive form of “caper,” meaning "goat." It is also related to the modern English word “caper,” which means “skip or dance about in a lively or playful way.”