mess jacket

American  

noun

1. a short, tailless jacket extending to just below the waist, used for semiformal military occasions and now especially as part of the uniform of waiters, bellhops, etc.

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mess jacket British  

noun

1. a waist-length jacket tapering to a point at the back, worn by officers in the mess for formal dinners

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Etymology

Origin of mess jacket

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

"You're all wrong about that mess jacket, Jeeves."

From Right Ho, Jeeves by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

One was a short, thick man in a gold-laced mess jacket, who fixed his eyes sternly on Flinders, and at once demanded his passport and commission.

From The Life of Captain Matthew Flinders by Scott, Ernest

He lit two candles, blew out the lamp, and throwing aside his mess jacket, yawned and stretched himself extensively.

From The Great Amulet by Diver, Maud

Soon they came back, Mr. Osborne and Mr. Stevenson wearing the form of dress most usual in that hot climate, a white mess jacket, and white trousers, but their feet were still bare.

From Stevenson's Shrine The Record of a Pilgrimage by Stubbs, Laura

Put on a mess jacket and that sort of thing—easy dress.

From Kipps The Story of a Simple Soul by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)