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abacost

noun

  1. clothing worn by men during Mobutu Sese Seko's rule
L1236449 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈæ.bə.kɒst/ / /ˈæ.bə.kɑst/

noun

Etymology: From French. A contraction of à bas le costume (“down with the western suit”)

  1. A short- or long-sleeved button-up jacket, worn without a shirt, that was promoted in Zaire under the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko.

    Wearing a collarless jacket called the abacost that reflected the style of chairman Mao, Mobutu outlawed the traditional suits and business dress of the West.

    The abacost became Mobutu's personal trademark, […]