From the italian soffitta for under and figgere to fix the word soffit dates back to the days of early palladian architecture.
The overhanging edges of a roof is called.
A roof overhang is called an eave.
An eave is the edge of a roof that projects beyond the face of a wall providing protection from the elements.
An eave is the edge of a roof which is why they are sometimes called roof eaves.
A little more trivia.
A soffit is the horizontal underside of a roof overhang an archway a staircase a ceiling or a similar architectural component.
A roof overhang is generally just called a roof overhang unless you are referring to a specific part of the overhang.
On a home s exterior eaves can project stick out beyond the side of the building serving both decorative and practical functions.
The overhanging edge of a roof is called eaves.