A guernsey is a seaman's knitted woollen sweater, similar to a jersey, differing in that it is thicker and more likely to be hand knitted, or in having such an appearance in contrast to the latter's finer knit.
Guernseys were first widely used in the rating uniform of the nineteenth century British Royal Navy, and as with the Jersey was named after the Channel Island of the same name.
In Australia, a guernsey is a sleeveless woollen shirt worn by football players; thus “to get a guernsey” is to be selected for something or to gain recognition for an achievement.
