Which Language Gave The World 'Pyjama'?

News18

18-07-2025

Pyjamas, originating from Persian and South Asian roots, evolved from traditional loose garments to global sleepwear and now, to a stylish streetwear
Clothing trends have certainly evolved over the years, yet one arm of fashion has remained steadfast: the pyjama. While renowned as a sleepwear staple, pyjamas have now crossed into everyday life, worn at home, at weddings, and even on the streets.
Youth culture has embraced the concept wholeheartedly, with 'pyjama parties' becoming a global phenomenon. But where does this comforting garment get its name and what does it actually mean?
From Persian Origins To South Asian Roots
The term pajama, commonly linked with bedtime attire, originates from the Hindi/Urdu word paijama, which in turn derives from Persian. In Persian, 'paay' or 'pa' means 'foot', and 'jama' signifies 'cloth' or 'dress', so the literal meaning of 'pajama' is more akin to 'foot‑covering garment'.
Historically, it referred to a loose‑fitting ensemble, typically made of cotton or silk, tied at the waist with a drawstring. Both men and women across India and Central Asia favoured this stitched form; distinct from the draped clothing predominant in South Asia at the time.
Western Adoption: From 17th‑Century Goa To Victorian England
According to a South China Morning Post report, Europeans in Asia adopted not only the garment but also its name. A French travelogue describes Portuguese settlers in Goa around 1610 who refused to sleep without wearing pyjamas.
By the 17th century, the garment had made its way to England, referred to as 'Mughal breeches' and used as casual loungewear, although this fashion was short-lived.
The first recorded English usage of the term occurred in 1801, in reference to the 'pyjamas or drawers' in Tipu Sultan's wardrobe. By 1854, it was common advice for European visitors to British India to wear pajamas for afternoon naps, praised for their comfort and familiarity.
Pajamas Become Standard Sleepwear
During the Victorian era, around 1870, pyjamas began to replace the traditional nightdress for men in England and across Europe, becoming a widely accepted form of sleepwear.
Over time, the term evolved into various colloquial forms: PJs, jammies, and jim‑jams, with 'jim‑jams' often used playfully to denote sleeplessness.
From Beachwear To Streetwear: A Modern Reinvention
In the 1920s, fashion icon Coco Chanel introduced the concept of the 'beach pyjama', a stylish loungewear look designed for seaside leisure. Fast-forward to the 2000s, and pajamas made a notable fashion comeback, sparking the trend of 'sleepwear as streetwear', where silky sets became fashionable attire beyond the bedroom.
The journey of the pajama is one of cultural exchanges and evolving fashion norms, from a practical garment in Persian and South Asian homes to an international icon in both sleepwear and street style.
What began as simple comfortable clothing has now become a global fashion staple.
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First Published:
July 18, 2025, 15:32 IST
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