Pajama Glossary at Big Feet Pajama Company
Blanket Sleeper
Blanket sleepers are another term for footie pajamas, but are more commonly referred to as infant and children’s footed pajamas.. The origins of the blanket sleeper can be traced at least as far back as the late 19th Century, to footed, one-piece sleeping garments for children, then known as night drawers. However, the blanket sleeper first took something closely resembling its present form in the early 1950s, when many of the most recognizable features were first adopted, including the use of synthetic fabrics, slip-resistant soles, toe caps, rib-knit collar and cuffs, zipper or button closure, snap tab, and applique. The term blanket sleeper also first came into common use at this time, although sleeper by itself appeared considerably earlier.
Butt Flap
A butt flap is a flap on the rear of a one-piece pajama that allows the wearer to use the restroom, while not having to remove the entire garment. The butt flap is typically sewn at the base of the flap and secured by Velcro, buttons or snaps across the top of the flap. It may also be referred to as a drop-seat or trap-door.
Dr. Dentons
Dr. Denton or Dr. Denton's is a (historically) well-known brand of blanket sleepers, formerly manufactured by the Dr. Denton Sleeping Garment Mills of Michigan. The company was founded in 1865, originally as the Michigan Central Woolen Company, and from the late 19th Century through the first half of the 20th Century was probably the single best-known manufacturer of blanket sleepers in the United States. The brand was so well-known that Dr. Dentons became (and remains today) a genericized trademark.
The name Dr. Denton derives from Whitley Denton, an employee of the company who created the original design on which its product line was based. The appellation of "Doctor" was a marketing gimmick, intended to give the impression that the garments were designed (and implicitly endorsed) by a medical doctor.
Drop-Seat
A drop-seat is a flap on the rear of a one-piece pajama that allows the wearer to use the restroom, while not having to remove the entire garment. The drop-seat is typically sewn at the base of the flap and secured by Velcro, buttons or snaps across the top of the flap. It may also be referred to as a butt flap or trap-door.
Footed Pajamas / Feet Pajamas / Feety Pajamas / Footie Pajamas / Footsie Pajamas / Footy Pajamas
Footed pajamas are one-piece sleepwear garments that cover the entire body except for the heads and hands, where it is snug at the neck and wrists. Footed pajamas are typically unisex, and are manufactured for infants, toddlers and adults. They come in a variety of natural and synthetic fabrics, including, but not limited to: fleece, cotton jersey knit, flannel, and polyester.
Other names for footed pajamas include:
- footed sleeper
- footed pj's
- footies
- blanket sleepers
- nighties
- pajamas with feet
- pajamas with the feet in them
- padded feet pajamas
- one-piece pajamas
- Onesie
- sleeper suit
- sleeper blanket
- walking blanket
- walking sleeper
- sleeper walker
- bunny suit
- bunny pajamas
- bunny feet pajamas
- potato mashers
- dormer
- night drawers
- sleeping drawers
- sleeping garment
- coverlet sleeper
- sleepsuits
- romper suits
- long johns
- union suits
- Dr. Dentons
Flannel Pajamas
Flannel pajamas are sleepwear garments comprised of soft, loosely spun cotton yarn. Flannel is a warm fabric of various degrees of weight and fineness. The origin of the word is uncertain, but a Welsh origin has been suggested. Flannel can be traced back to Wales where it was well known as early as the 16th century. The French term flanelle was used in the late 17th century, and the German Flanell was used in the early 18th century.
Jammies
Jammies or Jammys are an informal term for pajamas or sleepwear. In colloquial speech, sleeping pajamas are often called "pjs", "jim jams" or "jammies."
Jersey Knit - Jersey knit is a loose, supple knit fabric comprised of natural cotton that is most popular in tee shirts. Jersey knit is known for its all-season comfort.
Jiffy Grip
Jiffy Grip is a breathable, non-slip, cotton fabric with rubber dots that are typically used on the soles of footed pajamas. Jiffy Grip fabric is fairly durable and will help prevent slipping on smooth flooring.
Long Johns
Long Johns are a one-piece knitted, thermal undergarment that covers the legs and buttons up the front. Introduced in the 1880s, the long john was once called the union suit as it was worn by Civil War soldiers. In the 1940s, the term long johns was adapted from a similarly styled swimming trunk named after the garment that heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan wore. Today the long john is still used for layering and is also a popular style for sleepwear.
Micro-Fleece Pajamas
Micro-fleece pajamas are a soft synthetic wool like fabric made from recycled plastic bottles or other synthetic fibers. One of the first forms of microfleece was "Polar Fleece" which was created in 1979. This new, light and strong pile fabric was made to mimic and in many ways surpass natural wool. Fleece does have some of wool's finest qualities but weighs much less compared to the lightest available wool garments. Micro-fleece is a vegan alternative to wool that can be manufactured entirely from recycled plastic bottles and is very light, soft and easy to wash. The thickness of fleece fabric varies - 100, 200 and 300 with 300 being the thickest and least flexible.
Some of the advantages that fleece provides are it is soft and comfortable to wear and is very easy to care for. Other advantages are that it is extremely warm and provides this warmth without weighing a lot. Also, the nature of fleece is that it cannot hold liquid very well and is a breathable fabric so perspiration passes right through the fabric and dissipates quickly. This is why many interested in physical activity are drawn toward fleece. Fleece is a great fabric for someone who is allergic or sensitive to wool apparel.
Overall fleece is a fabric that has been engineered to be warm and soft, lightweight, resilient and easy to take care of. If you don't have any fleece clothing or products I recommend you check them out. Not only are comfortable, but they are also considered environmentally friendly.
One-Piece Pajamas
A one-piece pajama is another term for a footed pajama or pajama with feet. See detailed definition above.
Onesie
A onesie is an infant bodysuit designed to be worn by infants much like a t-shirt; they are distinguished from t-shirts by an extension below the waist, with snaps or Velcro that allow it to be closed over the crotch. The purpose of the opening at the crotch is to facilitate access to the wearer's diaper.. Like t-shirts, infant bodysuits come in a wide variety of designs and may be worn as undergarments or as outer shirts. Onesies are also referred to by other names, including creepers, diaper shirts, babygro, or snapsuits.
Pijamas
Pijamas are an alternative spelling for the traditional American word pajamas. Pijamas are the common term and spelling for sleepwear in Asia and Africa.
PJs
PJs are an informal term for pajamas or sleepwear. In colloquial speech, sleeping pajamas are often called "pjs", "jim jams" or "jammies."
Pyjamas - Pyjamas are an alternative spelling for the traditional American word pajamas. Pyjamas are the common term and spelling for sleepwear in Europe.
Sleepwear - Sleepwear, also called "nightwear", "sleeping suit", "nightclothes", or "nightdress", is clothing designed to be worn while sleeping.. The style of nightwear worn may vary with the seasons, with eg. warmer styles being worn in colder conditions. Some styles or materials are selected to be visually appealing, sometimes in addition to their functional purpose of warmth.
Trap Door - A trap-door is a flap on the rear of a one-piece pajama that allows the wearer to use the restroom, while not having to remove the entire garment. The drop-seat is typically sewn at the base of the flap and secured by Velcro, buttons or snaps across the top of the flap. It may also be referred to as a butt flap or drop-seat.
Union Suit
Union Suits (also referred to as Long Johns) are a one-piece knitted, thermal undergarment that covers the legs and buttons up the front. Introduced in the 1880s, the union suit was worn by Civil War soldiers. In the 1940s, the term long johns was adapted from a similarly styled swimming trunk named after the garment that heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan wore. Today the union suit is still used for layering and is also a popular style for sleepwear.
