Here's why:
* Knitting Tradition: The Island of Jersey has a long history of knitting, particularly for the production of fine wool garments. This tradition dates back to the 16th century.
* Export of Garments: These knitted garments, known for their quality and durability, were widely exported.
* Association with Jersey: Over time, the garments became associated with the island, and the name "jersey" was adopted to describe this specific type of knitted fabric and the garment itself.
Therefore, the term "jersey" for a shirt or a type of knit fabric is directly derived from the Island of Jersey, where the production of this kind of garment thrived.