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

In the stern sheets sat a tall, upright figure, the tiller ropes in either hand, dressed in a monkey jacket, pilot cloth trousers, and a sailor’s cap.

From The Ruined Cities of Zululand by Walmsley, Hugh Mulleneux

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

From The Morgesons by Stoddard, Elizabeth

Still another belt encircled me, and, though I had come up warmly clad in woolen shirts and monkey jacket, I felt these garments being torn away from me.

From The Grain Ship by Robertson, Morgan

He crushed his way through as if he had been one of the steam fire-engines, Gillie holding tight to the stout tails of his monkey jacket.

From Rivers of Ice by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

"Be on hand, my young monkey jacket; I should hate to be turned out so early for nothing."

From Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812 by Barnes, James