monkey jacket

American  

noun

1. a short, close-fitting jacket or coat, formerly worn by sailors.

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monkey jacket British  

noun

1. a short close-fitting jacket, esp a waist-length jacket similar to a mess jacket

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Etymology

Origin of monkey jacket

First recorded in 1820–30; so called from its resemblance to a jacket worn by an organ-grinder's monkey

Example Sentences

“Yes, sir, and two pair of trousers for thirty shillin’, besides a hoilskin and a serge jumper; and this monkey jacket here, sir, which makes three pun’ seventeen-and-six, sir.”

From Crown and Anchor Under the Pen'ant by Greene, John B.

At that I looked to the other side of the bowlder, and there was my friend of the monkey jacket.

From Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon by Caine, Hall, Sir

Sometimes, however, they only made sport of his appearance; especially one evening, when his monkey jacket being wet through, he was obliged to mount one of his swallow-tailed coats.

From Redburn. His First Voyage by Melville, Herman

Frank, there, will wear his old monkey jacket, the skirts of which he razeed last winter for the very purpose.

From Warwick Woodlands Things as they Were There Twenty Years Ago by Herbert, Henry William

He wore a monkey jacket, probably a remnant of his sea-going father's wardrobe.

From The Morgesons by Stoddard, Elizabeth