Sunday Morning Style

There's nothing better than a lazy morning in your jammies, but while lingering over hot coffee and cold juice, did you ever wonder where the word "pajamas" originated? It may come as a surprise to learn that pajamas (also spelled "pyjamas," especially in the U.K.) originated in the Middle East and India. The word "pajama" entered English in the early 19th century from the Hindi "paejama," which combined the Persian "pai" (leg) with "jamah" (clothing). The original pajamas were loose-fitting trousers worn during the day by people in that region, but adopted as sleepwear by European colonialists. The matching jacket was adopted when pajamas were brought back to the chillier European climes.