826: Straitjacket Mar 13, 2017

Spelling in English can be confusing but does lend certain clues to the way in which different words were formed and what they mean that simply spelling the words as they sound would not. It is common enough to see the word 'straight-jacket' referring to the jacket that straps the sleeves to the back as to restrain the wearer, but this is not considered correct. Traditionally held as correct is 'straitjacket' coming from the base of 'straitlaced' which is also often written––to the dismay of editors––as 'straight-laced'. The problem with 'straight=jacket' besides merely the spelling is that 'strait' means "narrow or tight", as in the Bering Strait that lies between Alaska and Russia, but it also means "strict or rigorous" and is related etymologically to 'strict'. In this way, a 'straitjacket' was named such as it was used in a correctional manner.

For another set of words which are often, and perilously confused, see this on 'cyprian' and 'cypriot'