Pyjama

/pəˈdʒɑːmə/ noun

Definition

A loose-fitting garment worn for sleeping, typically consisting of a shirt and pants; often used in plural form 'pyjamas.'

Etymology

From Urdu and Persian 'pāē-jāmah' meaning 'leg garment,' combining 'pāē' (foot/leg) and 'jāmah' (garment). The word traveled from India to English in the 17th century through colonialism and trade.

Kelly Says

Your sleepwear traveled a linguistic journey from Persia through India to England—'pyjamas' shows how comfort clothes moved between cultures, and Americans and British people still disagree on pronunciation because of when they borrowed the word!

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