English

Noun

monkey jacket ‎(plural monkey jackets)

1. (dated) A type of close-fit jacket worn by sailors
   • 1820, Francis Forbes, "The Banks of Newfoundland":

     You bully boys of Liverpool, I'll have you to beware,

     When you sail on them packet ships, no dungaree jumpers wear;

     But have a big monkey jacket all ready to your hand,

     For there blows some cold nor'westers on the Banks of Newfoundland.

   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:

     We were fain to button up our monkey jackets, and hold to our lips cups of scalding tea with our half frozen fingers.

2. A semiformal lightweight jacket, usually made of nylon, with striped cuffs and neck, similar to an MA-1 flight jacket.

Synonyms

• (semiformal, lightweight jacket): mess jacket

Related terms

• monkey suit