Pajamas: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:JessiePyjamas.jpg|thumb|A girl (and her [[doll]]) wearing pajamas.]][[Image:Kids in pajamas.jpg|thumb|Boys in pajamas.]]'''Pajamas''' or '''pyjamas''' (see also [[American and British English spelling differences#Miscellaneous spelling differences|spelling differences]]) is a word with several different, related meanings in the field of [[clothing]]: |
[[Image:JessiePyjamas.jpg|thumb|A girl (and her [[doll]]) wearing pajamas.]][[Image:Kids in pajamas.jpg|thumb|Boys in pajamas.]]'''Pajamas''' or '''pyjamas''' (see also [[American and British English spelling differences#Miscellaneous spelling differences|spelling differences]]) is a word with several different, related meanings in the field of [[clothing]]: |
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* The original ''pajamas'' — loose, lightweight drawstring trousers tied around the waist and worn in [[South Asia|South]] and [[West Asia|West]] Asia.<ref>cf. ''The Oxford English Dictionary''. 1989 edition. |
* The original ''pajamas'' — loose, lightweight drawstring trousers tied around the waist and worn in [[South Asia|South]] and [[West Asia|West]] Asia.<ref>cf. ''The Oxford English Dictionary''. 1989 edition. Oxford University Press. Oxford and London.</ref> |
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* A loose, two-piece garment derived from the preceding garment, worn as (especially men's and boys') [[nightwear|sleepwear]], in [[United Kingdom|Britain]], the [[United States]], and other countries. Pyjamas in this sense consist of a [[jacket]] and trouser combination, made of a lightweight non-stretch material, similar to materials used in [[bed sheet]]s, with the jacket closing down the front with [[button]]s. These first appeared in Britain as a result of [[British Raj|British colonial presence]] in [[India]] in the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the early 20th century had replaced [[nightshirt]]s as the dominant style of sleepwear for men and boys there. (In India these are known as ''night suits''.) |
* A loose, two-piece garment derived from the preceding garment, worn as (especially men's and boys') [[nightwear|sleepwear]], in [[United Kingdom|Britain]], the [[United States]], and other countries. Pyjamas in this sense consist of a [[jacket]] and trouser combination, made of a lightweight non-stretch material, similar to materials used in [[bed sheet]]s, with the jacket closing down the front with [[button]]s. These first appeared in Britain as a result of [[British Raj|British colonial presence]] in [[India]] in the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the early 20th century had replaced [[nightshirt]]s as the dominant style of sleepwear for men and boys there. (In India these are known as ''night suits''.) |
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* Other garments derived from the preceding garment, such as women's beach pajamas. |
* Other garments derived from the preceding garment, such as women's beach pajamas. |
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* (Chiefly American) Any of a wide variety of (mostly two-piece) sleeping garments for both genders, including the aforementioned jacket and trouser combination, but also including many unrelated styles. In particular, many of these are made of stretch knit fabrics of various weights and thicknesses, with [[ribbing (knitting)|rib-knit]] trimmings, and tops that are pulled over the head like a [[t-shirt]]. (See also ''[[blanket sleeper]]s'', also known as ''footed pajamas''.) In the loosest U.S. usage, any sleeping garment can be called ''pajamas''. |
* (Chiefly American) Any of a wide variety of (mostly two-piece) sleeping garments for both genders, including the aforementioned jacket and trouser combination, but also including many unrelated styles. In particular, many of these are made of stretch knit fabrics of various weights and thicknesses, with [[ribbing (knitting)|rib-knit]] trimmings, and tops that are pulled over the head like a [[t-shirt]]. (See also ''[[blanket sleeper]]s'', also known as ''footed pajamas''.) In the loosest U.S. usage, any sleeping garment can be called ''pajamas''. Although a distinction is often made between ''pajamas'' and non-[[bifurcation|bifurcated]] sleeping garments such as [[nightgown]]s, some speakers in the U.S. include even the latter within the definition of ''pajamas''. |
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The word "pyjama" was incorporated into the English language from |
The word "pyjama" was incorporated into the English language from [[Urdu]] and [[Hindi]]. The word originally derives from the [[Persian language|Persian]] word پايجامه ''Payjama'' meaning "leg garment." |
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When referring to sleepwear, [[abbreviation|abbreviated]] or [[diminutive]] forms of the word are often used, such as '''pj's''' or '''jammies'''. |
When referring to sleepwear, [[abbreviation|abbreviated]] or [[diminutive]] forms of the word are often used, such as '''pj's''' or '''jammies'''. |
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Revision as of 14:33, 7 January 2007
Pajamas or pyjamas (see also spelling differences) is a word with several different, related meanings in the field of clothing:
- The original pajamas — loose, lightweight drawstring trousers tied around the waist and worn in South and West Asia.[1]
- A loose, two-piece garment derived from the preceding garment, worn as (especially men's and boys') sleepwear, in Britain, the United States, and other countries. Pyjamas in this sense consist of a jacket and trouser combination, made of a lightweight non-stretch material, similar to materials used in bed sheets, with the jacket closing down the front with buttons. These first appeared in Britain as a result of British colonial presence in India in the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the early 20th century had replaced nightshirts as the dominant style of sleepwear for men and boys there. (In India these are known as night suits.)
- Other garments derived from the preceding garment, such as women's beach pajamas.
- (Chiefly American) Any of a wide variety of (mostly two-piece) sleeping garments for both genders, including the aforementioned jacket and trouser combination, but also including many unrelated styles. In particular, many of these are made of stretch knit fabrics of various weights and thicknesses, with rib-knit trimmings, and tops that are pulled over the head like a t-shirt. (See also blanket sleepers, also known as footed pajamas.) In the loosest U.S. usage, any sleeping garment can be called pajamas. Although a distinction is often made between pajamas and non-bifurcated sleeping garments such as nightgowns, some speakers in the U.S. include even the latter within the definition of pajamas.
The word "pyjama" was incorporated into the English language from Urdu and Hindi. The word originally derives from the Persian word پايجامه Payjama meaning "leg garment."
When referring to sleepwear, abbreviated or diminutive forms of the word are often used, such as pj's or jammies.
History
The worldwide use of the word and the garment is the result of British colonial presence in India in the 18th and 19th centuries.[2] According to Yule and Burnell's Hobson-Jobson (1903)[3] the word originally referred to loose trousers tied around the waist.
Such a garment is used by various persons in India e.g. by women of various classes, by Sikh men, and most by Mahommedans of both sexes. It was adopted from the Mahommedans by Europeans as an article of dishabille and of night attire ... It is probable that we English took the habit like a good many others from the Portuguese. Thus Pyarard (c. 1610) says, in speaking of Goa Hospital: "Ils ont force calsons sans quoy ne couchent iamais les Portugais des Indes" ... The word in now used in London shops. A friend furnishes the following reminiscence: "The late Mr. B—, tailor in Jermyn Street, some 40 years ago, in reply to a question why pyjammas had feet sewn on to them (as was sometimes the case with those furnished by London outfitters) answered: 'I believe, Sir, it is because of the White Ants'."[4] Examples. 1828: "His chief joy smoking a cigar in loose Paee-jams and native slippers." Orient. Sport. Mag. reprint 1873, i. 64. 1881: "The rest of our attire consisted of that particularly light and airy white flannel garment, known throughout India as a pajama suit." Haekel, Ceylon, p. 329.
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According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, "They were introduced in England as lounging attire in the 17th century but soon went out of fashion. About 1870 they reappeared in the Western world as sleeping attire for men, after returning British colonials brought (them) back ...."[5]
Material
Pajamas are usually loose fitting and designed for comfort, using softer materials such as cotton or the more luxurious silk or satin.
Designs and Patterns
Pajamas oftentimes contain visual references to a thing that may hold some special appeal to the wearer. Images of sports, animals, balloons, polka dots and other things may all be used to decorate them. Pajamas may also be found in plainer designs, such as plaid or plain gray, but when worn in public, they are usually designed in such a way that makes their identity unambiguous.
Custom
Pajamas are often worn as comfort wear even when not in bed, and are also sometimes worn as a fashion statement. In North America, some people (mainly young females) have started to wear pajama pants in public as fashion. In China, it is not unusual in the late afternoon or evening, to have adults wear their pajamas in public around their local neighborhood.
References to Pajamas in Popular Culture
The Pajama Game was a Broadway musical and also film highlighting workers at a pajama factory.
Pajamas played a prominent role on a popular kids television shown known as Bananas in Pajamas. The show detailed the adventures of two bananas while wearing their pajamas.
Pajamas Media (briefly known as Open Source Media) is a service created by mystery writer and Huffington Post blogger Roger L. Simon and Charles Johnson of Little Green Footballs "with the intention of... aggregating blogs" [1], as well as " fact-checking." [2].
Notes
- ^ cf. The Oxford English Dictionary. 1989 edition. Oxford University Press. Oxford and London.
- ^ Lewis, Ivor. 1991. Sahibs, Nabobs and Boxwallahs: A Dictionary of Words of Anglo-India. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 266 pages. ISBN 0195642236.
- ^ Yule, Henry and A.C. Burnell. 1903. Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive. London: John Murray. 1021 pages.
- ^ According to Hobson-Jobson, "The insect (Termes bellicosus of naturalists) not properly an ant, of whose destructive powers there are in India so many disagreeable experiences, and so many marvellous stories."
- ^ pajamas. (2006). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved December 29, 2006, from : Encyclopædia Britannica Online.