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

This was a great disappointment to Ned Anstruther, who had come on deck fully equipped for the expedition in his sea boots and monkey jacket.

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

“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.

‘He’s got on the hat and monkey jacket he always wears.’

From Will Weatherhelm The Yarn of an Old Sailor by Webb, Archibald

Moreover, the single gold stripe on his monkey jacket was still suspiciously new and terribly untarnished.

From Stand By! Naval Sketches and Stories by Dorling, H. Taprell (Henry Taprell)

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