How did the Navy pea coat get its name?

Answer 1

The Navy pea coat got its name from the Dutch word "pij," which referred to a coarse woolen fabric. The fabric was commonly used for outerwear by sailors in the 18th century. The term evolved into "pea" over time, and the coat became known as the pea coat due to its association with sailors in the Navy.

Answer 2

It actually stems from the cloth the jacket was made from which was referred to as "pilot cloth." Thus, the first letter was used and it was called a P-coat, and latter written as pea coat. Why it went from "P" to "Pea," I have no idea.

: A peacoat is a sailor's heavy woolen double-breasted jacket. : like this one: : http://www.shopyop.com/product_424.html

Answer 3

The term "pea coat" originated from the Dutch or West Frisian word pijjekker, in which pij referred to the type of cloth used,[2][4] which was called "Pilot cloth" (P-cloth), a coarse kind of twilled blue cloth with a nap on one side.[5] The terms "pea coat" and "pea jacket" were first used as early as 1723,[6] when it became a cold weather uniform in many European navies, most prominently in the British Royal Navy and Dutch Royal Netherlands Navy.[3] The US Navy adopted them as early as 1881,[7] becoming standard fare in the 20th century.