Peacoat
PEE-koht
/ˈpiːkoʊt/
A short, double-breasted overcoat of coarse woolen cloth, originally worn by sailors.
Refers specifically to a double-breasted, hip-length wool coat with broad lapels and large buttons, projecting a classic, semi-formal maritime aesthetic.
The story behind the word. The word 'peacoat' has nothing to do with green peas. It comes from the Dutch word 'pijjekker', where 'pij' refers to a coarse, thick blue wool fabric, and 'jekker' means jacket. English sailors anglicized 'pij' to 'pea' and 'jekker' to 'coat' in the 18th century.
Word relationships
- reefer jacket: Reefer jacket is an alternative historical term for a peacoat, often used in naval contexts.
- overcoat: An overcoat is much longer, typically reaching below the knees, and is worn over formal suits.
Commonly confused with
- Overcoat: A peacoat is short (hip-length) and sporty, while an overcoat is long (knee-length or lower) and formal.
Word family
- peacoats (Noun): Plural form of peacoat.
Collocations
- wool peacoat
- navy peacoat
- double-breasted peacoat
- classic peacoat
Example sentences
- "He wore a short blue peacoat, and a very wide pair of trousers." A real citation from classic Victorian literature.
- "She paired her navy blue peacoat with a red scarf for a classic, timeless autumn look." Describing a modern autumn fashion choice.
Memory hook
Imagine a 'PEA-coat' with big green peas used as buttons on a sailor's heavy wool jacket. Sailor's wool jacket from the Dutch 'pij'.
When not to use
Do not use for long, formal coats that extend past the knees, or for sporty, synthetic jackets.
Fun facts
- The classic peacoat features vertical 'handwarmer pockets' on the chest, designed so sailors could warm their hands while standing watch on windy decks.
Explore more words
Double-breasted, lapel, Waistcoat, Tuxedo, chesterfield, Sartorial
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