monkey jacket

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

Origin of monkey jacket

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

Pete was still in his stocking cap and Wellington boots, but he had a monkey-jacket over his blue guernsey.

The Manxman |Hall Caine
"I shall be quite willing, I am sure," said the man in the monkey-jacket with imperturbable effrontery.

Campaigns of a Non-Combatant, |George Alfred Townsend
The fellow took a firm grip of my monkey-jacket, and I made for the door.

The Wreck of the Grosvenor, Volume 1 of 3 |William Clark Russell
Soon a monkey-jacket mounted the side, and was beset by the captain and cabin people for news.

Redburn. His First Voyage |Herman Melville

Having laid himself on his bunk, Farnborough drew an envelope from the inside breast-coat pocket of his monkey-jacket.

The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge |Percy F. Westerman

monkey jacket

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