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 a few minutes more, a feller in a monkey jacket, a brass button on his hat, and otherwise officially costumed, put on the dignity of the quarter-deck, and out-talked the skipper.

From The Adventures of My Cousin Smooth by Templeton, Timothy

Just a blue serge suit, and a monkey jacket.

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

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

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

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