History
The word "pajama" was incorporated into the English language from Persian. The word originally derives from the Persian word پايجامه Payjama meaning "leg garment."
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Courier in white paijama, India, 1844.
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Men in white paijama with hunting cheetahs, India 1844.
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Muslim men in paijamas (various styles), Bombay, 1867
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Muslim woman in salwar-style pyjamas, Sindh, 1870.
The worldwide use of pajamas (the word and the garment) is the result of British presence in South Asia in the 18th and 19th centuries. According to Yule and Burnell's Hobson-Jobson (1903) 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 Muslim of both sexes. It was adopted from the Muslim 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 Pyrard (c. 1610) says, in speaking of Goa Hospital: "Ils ont force calsons sans quoy ne couchent iamais les Portugais des Indes" ... The word is now used in London shops. A friend furnishes the following reminiscence: "The late Mr. B—, tailor in Jermyn Street, some on 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."
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 pyjama 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 ...." As sleeping attire, they adapted the pajama pant to come without pockets, since pockets are only necessary for daywear.
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