Meaning · Origin · Etymology
Pajamas
پایجامه · pāy-jāmeh
English from Persian/Hindi-Urdu
“Leg-garments for emperors became sleepwear for the world.”
Pajamas comes from the Persian pāy (leg) + jāmeh (garment)—literally "leg clothing." In Mughal India, these were loose-fitting trousers worn during the day by both men and women, tied at the waist.
British colonials in India adopted the comfortable garments for lounging—especially in the heat. They were practical, cool, and far more comfortable than European clothing.
When the British brought the word and the garment home, pajamas shifted context entirely: from daywear to nightwear, from public to private, from tropical necessity to bedroom luxury.
The spelling split: Americans write "pajamas," British write "pyjamas." But both pronounce it the same way—an echo of the Persian-Hindi original that neither spelling quite captures.
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Today
Pajamas are now a $18 billion global industry—and a cultural statement. "Pajama day" at work signals informality. Wearing pajamas in public signals either confidence or not caring.
The pandemic made pajamas professional attire (at least from the waist up). The garment that was once outdoor clothing in India, then indoor clothing in England, became all-day clothing for the world.
The Persian leg-garment has come full circle.
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