monkey jacket

noun
1.
a short, close-fitting jacket or coat, formerly worn by sailors.
Origin
1820-30; so called from its resemblance to a jacket worn by an organ-grinder's monkey
British Dictionary definitions for monkey jacket

monkey jacket

noun
1.
a short close-fitting jacket, esp a waist-length jacket similar to a mess jacket
Slang definitions & phrases for monkey jacket

monkey jacket

noun phrase
  1. Any tight, short jacket, esp one that is part of a uniform (1830+)
  2. A medical patient's gown (1970s+ Medical)

[fr the fact that monkey was a nautical term for anything small, in this case a short, informal jacket as distinct from a formal frock coat; monkey jackets are also the traditional garb of an organ grinder's monkey]