Spencer Jacket

Spencer Jacket
   How the Spencer jacket came about is a matter of dispute. The jacket was named for George John Spencer, the second Earl of Spencer (1758-1834). One belief is that the earl was thrown from his horse and tore his long-tailed riding coat on a thorn bush. Spencer conceived the idea of a short coat that would not be damaged in such circumstances. At that time, only a coat with tails was considered proper dress. Another belief is that the earl wagered that he could set a new fashion by wearing a short overcoat without skirts, which he wore as he strolled the streets of London. Spencer won the bet. The jacket gained immediate popularity; it became quite stylish, de rigueur among the social elite.
   The name came to be applied also to a close-fitting bodice for women, but there the word's lineage is clearer: It was designed by a Mr. Knight Spencer.

Dictionary of eponyms. . 2013.

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  • Jacket — This article is about the garment. For other uses, see Jacket (disambiguation). A jacket is a hip or waist length garment for the upper body. A jacket typically has sleeves, and fastens in the front. A jacket is generally lighter, tighter fitting …   Wikipedia

  • Spencer — may refer to * A short, close fitting jacket, worn by women and children in the early 19th century * A thin woolen vest, worn by women for extra warmth in winterPeopleGiven name*Spencer Chamberlain, American singer for Underoath *Spencer Krug, a… …   Wikipedia

  • Spencer — Spen cer, n. [From the third Earl Spencer, who first wore it, or brought it into fashion.] A short jacket worn by men and by women. Ld. Lutton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spencer — spencer1 [spen′sər] n. [after the 2d Earl Spencer (1758 1834)] a short jacket of an early 19th cent. style spencer2 [spen′sər] n. [< pers. name SPENCER1] a trysail on a gaff …   English World dictionary

  • Spencer (clothing) — The Spencer, dating from the 1790 s, was originally a woolen outer tail coat with the tails cut off. It was worn as a short waist length, double breasted, man s jacket over a long tailed coat as extra covering. In its most authentic and… …   Wikipedia

  • spencer — spencer1 /spen seuhr/, n. 1. a short, close fitting jacket, frequently trimmed with fur, worn in the 19th century by women and children. 2. a man s close fitting jacket, having a collar and lapels and reaching just below the waist, worn in the… …   Universalium

  • spencer — I. /ˈspɛnsə / (say spensuh) noun 1. a short coat or jacket, formerly worn by men. 2. a jacket or bodice, formerly worn by women. 3. a kind of woman s vest, worn under clothes for extra warmth. {named after George John Spencer, 1758–1834, 2nd Earl …  

  • jacket — n . coat, coatee, pea jacket, mackinaw jacket or mackinaw, Inf. mac, windbreaker, dreadnought, parka, anorak; cardigan, camisole, sack, jumper; sports coat or jacket, blazer; (in the Renaissance) doublet, (in the eighteenth and nineteenth… …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • spencer — I. noun Etymology: George John, 2d earl Spencer died 1834 English politician Date: 1795 a short waist length jacket II. noun Etymology: probably from the name Spencer Date: 1840 a trysail abaft the foremast or mainmast …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Spencer — 1. n. 1 a short close fitting jacket. 2 a woman s thin usu. woollen under bodice worn for extra warmth in winter. Etymology: prob. f. the 2nd Earl Spencer, Engl. politician d. 1834 2. n. Naut. a trysail. Etymology: perh. f. K. Spencer (early 19th …   Useful english dictionary

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