What is jersey? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of jersey

jerseynoun

áo len

/ˈdʒɜːzi//ˈdʒɜːrzi/

Where does the word jersey come from?

The word "jersey" originally referred to a type of woolen garment that was commonly worn by people living in the Channel Islands, a group of British territories located in the English Channel. The term "Jersey" itself comes from the name of the largest island in this group, which was known to the Romans as "Caesarea." In the 18th century, the people of Jersey began exporting their distinctive "Jersey gros grain" fabric, which was made from a blend of wool and flax, to other countries. This fabric quickly became popular and was widely used to make a variety of clothing items, including shirts for men. In the early 1900s, an American company called Champion Spark Plug introduced a new style of shirt made from a lightweight and durable fabric that was similar to the Jersey gros grain fabric. They named this shirt after the Isle of Jersey and the term "Jersey shirt" became popular in the United States. Over time, the word "jersey" came to refer not just to the fabric but also to the shirt itself, and today "Jersey" is a commonly used brand name for a wide range of clothing items made from synthetic materials that are similar in texture to the original woolen fabric. In summary, the word "jersey" originated as a reference to the woolen fabric produced on the Isle of Jersey and has since come to define a variety of clothing items made from similar materials.

Vocabulary summary jersey

typenoun

meaningcardigan (hand knitted or woven)

meaning(jersey) cow jecxi

Example of vocabulary jerseynamespace

meaning

a shirt worn by somebody playing a sports game

  • a football/rugby jersey
meaning

a knitted piece of clothing made of wool or cotton for the upper part of the body, with long sleeves and no buttons; a type of sweater

meaning

a type of soft fine knitted cloth used for making clothes

  • made from 100% cotton jersey
meaning

a type of light brown cow that produces high-quality milk

meaning

the largest of the Channel Islands, off the north-west coast of France. The main town is St Helier. Jersey has its own government and tax system but has strong links with the UK, and is popular with British tourists. Both English and French are spoken on the island. It is known for its fruit and vegetables (particularly tomatoes and new potatoes called Jersey Royals). The item of clothing called a jersey takes its name from a type of knitted material originally made on the island.

meaning

(in the US) another name for the state of New Jersey


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