Napkin
A cloth or paper square for wiping while eating.
A napkin, also known as a serviette or face towelette, is a square of cloth or paper tissue used at the table for wiping the mouth and fingers while eating. It is sometimes used as a bib by tucking it into a shirt collar, and is usually small and folded, sometimes in intricate designs, colors, and shapes. The term dates back to the 14th century, deriving from Late Middle English nappekin, from Old French nappe (tablecloth, from Latin mappa) with the suffix -kin.
- etymology
- Late Middle English nappekin, from Old French nappe
- alternative names
- serviette, face towelette, handkerchief (dialectal British), kerchief (Scotland)
- materials
- cloth or paper tissue
- early use (paper)
- ancient China, 2nd century BC
Lore & Background
The Greeks used apomagdalia—bread, dough, or fat—to wipe themselves, sometimes throwing it to dogs. Later, they used the cheiromaktron, a cloth for wiping hands, which the Romans called mantelium. The use of paper napkins is documented in ancient China, where paper was invented in the 2nd century BC; they were known as chih pha, folded in squares, and used for serving tea. Textual evidence appears in a description of the possessions of the Yu family from Hangzhou.
Reader's Guide
The napkin has evolved from ancient wiping materials—bread, dough, or cloth—to a standard table item. Its terminology reflects linguistic history, with 'napkin' deriving from Old French and Latin. Conventionally, napkins are folded and placed to the left of the place setting or displayed on the plate, sometimes with origami designs or held by a napkin ring. The napkin's significance lies in its role in hygiene, table manners, and cultural practices across centuries.
Did You Know?
- The word 'napkin' derives from Late Middle English nappekin, from Old French nappe (tablecloth) and the suffix -kin.
- Paper napkins were used in ancient China, known as chih pha, and are documented in a description of the Yu family's possessions from Hangzhou.
- The Greeks used apomagdalia (bread, dough, or fat) to wipe themselves, sometimes throwing it to dogs.
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