(22.06.2021)Ayu schrieb: Every summer I wonder why sunscreen is called sunscreen and not suncream like in german, after all it ain't a screen.
I guess, it's meant to be a universal term for all kinds of products, that protect you from the sun. After all, there is more available than 'just' cream. You can also get oil, spray, lotion, gel, foam...
This also gets reflected in some English-German dictionaries. There, you will find "Sonnenschutz" or even "
Sonnenschutzmittel" as the most appropriate translation. Makes sense. After all, there is no way of telling, if someone talking about "sunscreen" refers to a cream or something else. Thus, translating it as "Sonnencreme" would be too specific. The broader term "Sonnenschutz" leaves more room for variation.
Also, according to the Oxford Dictionary, the term "sun cream" actually
does exist in English. It is just uncommon to use it.