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Jerkin vs Merkin - What's the difference?

jerkin | merkin |

As nouns the difference between jerkin and merkin

is that jerkin is a type of men's garment popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: a close-fitting collarless jacket, with or without sleeves while merkin is a woman's pubic wig. Worn for nude stage appearances and by women after shaving their pubic hair (originally to eliminate lice, etc.; now often as a fashion item).

jerkin

English

(wikipedia jerkin)

Etymology 1

Diminutive of (etyl) ?

Noun

(en noun)
  • (historical) A type of men's garment popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: a close-fitting collarless jacket, with or without sleeves.
  • A sleeveless jacket, usually leather; a long waistcoat.
  • *1939 , (Raymond Chandler), The Big Sleep , Penguin 2011, p. 32:
  • *:A tall and very good-looking kid in a jerkin came out of the store and rode the coupĂ© off around the corner and came back walking, his glistening black hair plastered with rain.

    • See also

    * bodice * doublet * gherkin

    Etymology 2

    Noun

    (en noun)

    • Anagrams

    *

    merkin

    English

    Etymology 1

    1617, probably a variant form of malkin.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A woman's pubic wig. Worn for nude stage appearances and by women after shaving their pubic hair (originally to eliminate lice, etc.; now often as a fashion item).
  • A mop for cleaning cannon.

    • See also

    (wikipedia merkin) (merkins) * codpiece * vonk

    Etymology 2

    From the similar pronunciation to American .

    Alternative forms

    * 'merkin, Merkin, 'Merkin; murkin, 'murkin, Murkin, 'Murkin

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (British, slang, pejorative) An American.
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