Flash Jacket

[lunaraine]

Hi all, does anyone know where the term 'flash jacket ' for hi-vis jackets, comes from? I am from Northampton originally and it is a familiar term there,. A friend from Nottingham also recognised it. But no one else does.

I have not found anything online and my husbands ribbing needs to be put to rest!!

Cheers all

[heathfield]

It's not just an ordinary brightly coloured hi-viz jacket, but one made from material with a highly reflective outer layer. Surprised you found nothing on the web - Google brings up some if you simply search for 'flash jackets', e.g.

http://store.nike.com...line/cid-1/pid-416205

[lunaraine]

Hi, I know about those ones, but I have always used flash jacket for hi vis jackets. I was wondering if this was peculiar to the midlands.

[tenrec]

Flash jacket - could it be because of the strip that reflects headlights?

[JonnyBoy12]

Flash jacket? Is that a garmet people use to flash in?

Sorry, I have not heard of this item of clothing before.

[lunaraine]

I imagine it is cos of the reflective strip but it does make it sound like something dubious men would wear.

I just wanted to know if anyone else had heard it used in this context.