English

Mobutu (on the left) wearing an abacost in 1983.

Noun

abacost ‎(plural abacosts)

1. (chiefly historical) A short- or long-sleeved button-up jacket, worn without a shirt, that was promoted in Zaïre under the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko. [First attested in the late 20^th century]^[1]
   • 2005, Jeanne M. Haskin, The tragic state of the Congo: from decolonization to dictatorship, Algora, page 44:

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

   • 2006, Martin Meredith, Africa: from the hopes of freedom to the heart of despair, PublicAffairs, page 296:

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

   • 2007, Gemma Pitcher et al., Africa 11th ed., Lonely Planet, page 562:

     [T]he new leader [Mobutu Sese Seko] embarked on a campaign of 'Africanisation', with […] suits giving way to the abacost (a Congolese version of the Mao jacket); […]

   • 2007, Michael Powell, 101 People You Won't Meet in Heaven, Globe Pequot, page 206:

     [A]ll western clothing was banned—to be replaced by one-piece tunic called an abacost.

Anagrams

• tabasco, Tabasco

References

1. 1 2 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 2

French

Etymology

Contraction of the political slogan à bas le costume! ‎(“down with the suit!”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /abakɔst/

Noun

abacost m ‎(plural abacosts)

1. (Africa, chiefly historical) abacost