Although the term “jabot” dates in English from the early 19th century, it didn’t enter common parlance until recently. My entry in Black’s Law Dictionary defines it this way: “A frill of lace, tulle, chiffon, or the like fastened at the neck and worn over the front of a shirt or costume, today esp. over judicial robes by some judges. In the United States, jabots were popularized by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.” Because of that association, jabots are considered distinctly feminine in this country, though male barristers and judges wear them in other parts of the world.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 21, 2018 18:33 UTC