Flannel/Towel/Rag/Cloth
MC
Why is a face cloth, or wash cloth also known as a "flannel"? It doesn't
seem likely that anyone would have made one out of flannel... unless the
word meant something else once.
And why is a "tea towel" a *tea* towel? Seems to me it's used to dry the
dishes for every meal, not just tea.
Anyone have any ideas?
Don Phillipson
news:copeSPAMZAP-5398...@newsfeeder.total.net...
> Why is a face cloth, or wash cloth also known as a "flannel"? It doesn't
> seem likely that anyone would have made one out of flannel... unless the
Perhaps the same reason that a face cloth
is not called only a cloth. In Britain 50 years
ago "face flannel" or "bath flannel" were commonly
used.
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
dphil...@trytel.com.com.com.less2
Raymond S. Wise
>
> Why is a face cloth, or wash cloth also known as a "flannel"? It doesn't
> seem likely that anyone would have made one out of flannel... unless the
> word meant something else once.
>
The AHD4 gives "flannelette" as one definition of "flannel." "Flannelette"
it defines as "A soft cotton fabric with a nap."
> And why is a "tea towel" a *tea* towel? Seems to me it's used to dry the
> dishes for every meal, not just tea.
>
> Anyone have any ideas?
--
Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
E-mail: mplsray @ yahoo . com
Laura F Spira
>
> "MC" <copeS...@ca.inter.net> wrote in message
> news:copeSPAMZAP-5398...@newsfeeder.total.net...
>
> > Why is a face cloth, or wash cloth also known as a "flannel"? It doesn't
> > seem likely that anyone would have made one out of flannel... unless the
>
> Perhaps the same reason that a face cloth
> is not called only a cloth. In Britain 50 years
> ago "face flannel" or "bath flannel" were commonly
> used.
>
>
I have been in Britain for more than 50 years and have never heard of a
bath flannel. A bath sponge, certainly. (But never a face sponge...)
--
Laura
(emulate St. George for email)
Margot
> "MC" <copeS...@ca.inter.net> wrote in message
> news:copeSPAMZAP-5398...@newsfeeder.total.net...
>
>
>>Why is a face cloth, or wash cloth also known as a "flannel"? It doesn't
>>seem likely that anyone would have made one out of flannel... unless the
>
>
> Perhaps the same reason that a face cloth
> is not called only a cloth. In Britain 50 years
> ago "face flannel" or "bath flannel" were commonly
> used.
>
I still use a face flannel every day - and I didn't exist 50 years ago!
Never heard of a bath flannel though...
Margot
Charles Riggs
<la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
>I have been in Britain for more than 50 years and have never heard of a
>bath flannel.
I've been in Britain zero years and have certainly heard of the term.
For one thing, we've discussed it right here, even though there is no
here here.
--
Charles Riggs
For email, take the air out of aircom and
replace it with eir
Charles Riggs
<mar...@lawrence1961.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
>I still use a face flannel every day - and I didn't exist 50 years ago!
All your molecules existed long before that. Whether "you" or "I", as
individuals separate from all else, exist now is an arguable point. In
one sense we do, in another sense we don't; that much for a starter.
Laura F Spira
>
> On Sun, 09 Mar 2003 16:57:31 +0000, Laura F Spira
> <la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
>
> >I have been in Britain for more than 50 years and have never heard of a
> >bath flannel.
>
> I've been in Britain zero years and have certainly heard of the term.
> For one thing, we've discussed it right here, even though there is no
> here here.
>
We have discussed face flannels but Google shows no past record of bath
flannels. I have also consulted my spouse who sold towels, face
flannels, tea towels and other household textiles for many years. He has
never heard of a bath flannel, either. This may be a common term in
other parts of the world but not in the UK.
Daniel James
wrote:
> "Flannelette" it defines as "A soft cotton fabric with a nap."
A nap? Perhaps that's why pyjamas and (bed)sheets are sometimes
made of flanelette?
It isn't the stuff that face flannels are made of, though.
(BTW: I've never heard of a "bath flannel", either. I have heard
the phrase "face sponge", but I'd say that it was pretty rare.)
Cheers,
Daniel.
Raymond S. Wise
news:VA.0000017...@nospam.aaisp.org...
Well, I had only a very vague idea what "nap" might be, and the definition
in the AHD4 led me to think that the cloth washcloths are normally made of
might be described as having a nap:
From
http://www.bartleby.com/61/30/N0013000.html
[quote]
NOUN: A soft or fuzzy surface on fabric or leather.
TRANSITIVE VERB: Inflected forms: napped, nap·ping, naps
To form or raise a soft or fuzzy surface on (fabric or leather).
[end quote]
I would certainly call washcloths "fuzzy." However, a look at other
dictionary definitions suggests to me that "nap" might not apply. It occurs
to me that before the process used to make modern towel and washcloth fabric
came along, "flannelette," also called "flannel," a cotton fabric with a
nap, would have made a good washcloth, and could easily have loaned its name
to the cloth itself.
Anyone have a "History of Towels and Washcloths"?
Irwell
Four by twos were made of flannel.
Jitze Couperus
> Four by twos were made of flannel.
That might need some explanation, at least for those
who have never toted a rifle round a parade ground.
Small piece of cloth (nominally 4 by 2 inches) which is used
in the cleaning/oiling of firearms. The shape is specifically
useful to allow it to be threaded through the loop on the end of
a length of cord - by which it can then be pulled through the
gun barrel. The ones we used had very little nap but were more
like a strip torn from a modern T-shirt.
Jitze
Alec Owen
I thought a flannel was so named because it was made
from a material or textile called "flannel" which M-W
says is:
a: a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose texture
and a slightly napped surface b : a napped cotton fabric
of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool flannel
c : a stout cotton fabric usually napped on one side
The best minds of several generations of Englishmen
have wrestled with the problem of why a tea towel is
in fact a "tea towel" and as yet have found no answer to
this perplexing problem. The reason is apparently
hidden in the mists of time and will likely elude even
the cleverest philosophers this island can produce.
A Owen
Sad soul, take comfort, nor forget
That sunrise never failed us yet.
Charles Riggs
<la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
>Charles Riggs wrote:
>>
>> On Sun, 09 Mar 2003 16:57:31 +0000, Laura F Spira
>> <la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
>>
>> >I have been in Britain for more than 50 years and have never heard of a
>> >bath flannel.
>>
>> I've been in Britain zero years and have certainly heard of the term.
>> For one thing, we've discussed it right here, even though there is no
>> here here.
>>
>
>We have discussed face flannels but Google shows no past record of bath
>flannels. I have also consulted my spouse who sold towels, face
>flannels, tea towels and other household textiles for many years. He has
>never heard of a bath flannel, either. This may be a common term in
>other parts of the world but not in the UK.
I'll have to take your word for it. The COD does say, "3 Brit. a small
piece of towelling used for washing oneself", and I thought Britain
and the UK are synonymous, except for NI and a couple of obscure
islands.
Irish hotels don't usually provide the things, by any name. One must
use one of their small towels, which is less than satisfactory.
Peter Duncanson
wrote:
>On Mon, 10 Mar 2003 07:06:00 +0000, Laura F Spira
><la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
>
>>Charles Riggs wrote:
>>>
>>> On Sun, 09 Mar 2003 16:57:31 +0000, Laura F Spira
>>> <la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> >I have been in Britain for more than 50 years and have never heard of a
>>> >bath flannel.
>>>
>>> I've been in Britain zero years and have certainly heard of the term.
>>> For one thing, we've discussed it right here, even though there is no
>>> here here.
>>>
>>
>>We have discussed face flannels but Google shows no past record of bath
>>flannels. I have also consulted my spouse who sold towels, face
>>flannels, tea towels and other household textiles for many years. He has
>>never heard of a bath flannel, either. This may be a common term in
>>other parts of the world but not in the UK.
>I'll have to take your word for it.
I understand Laura's statement "...... not in the UK." to apply to "bath
flannel".
>The COD does say, "3 Brit. a small
>piece of towelling used for washing oneself", and I thought Britain
>and the UK are synonymous, except for NI and a couple of obscure
>islands.
>
>Irish hotels don't usually provide the things, by any name. One must
>use one of their small towels, which is less than satisfactory.
Many people would, I believe, consider a face flannel to be a personal item
which would rarely be shared with another for reasons of hygiene.
A person travelling would carry one in a "sponge bag".
--
Peter Duncanson
UK
(posting from a.e.u)
Linz
"Charles Riggs" <chr...@aircom.net> wrote in message
news:huar6voa60a8mjic3...@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 10 Mar 2003 07:06:00 +0000, Laura F Spira
> <la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
>
> >Charles Riggs wrote:
> >>
> >> On Sun, 09 Mar 2003 16:57:31 +0000, Laura F Spira
> >> <la...@DRAGONspira.u-net.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >I have been in Britain for more than 50 years and have never heard of
a
> >> >bath flannel.
> >>
> >> I've been in Britain zero years and have certainly heard of the term.
> >> For one thing, we've discussed it right here, even though there is no
> >> here here.
> >>
> >
> >We have discussed face flannels but Google shows no past record of bath
> >flannels. I have also consulted my spouse who sold towels, face
> >flannels, tea towels and other household textiles for many years. He has
> >never heard of a bath flannel, either. This may be a common term in
> >other parts of the world but not in the UK.
>
> I'll have to take your word for it. The COD does say, "3 Brit. a small
> piece of towelling used for washing oneself", and I thought Britain
> and the UK are synonymous, except for NI and a couple of obscure
> islands.
But does it say that for "bath flannel", for "face flannel" or for
"flannel"? That, I think, was what Laura meant. In the UK people tend not to
talk about "bath flannels". "Face flannel", yes, "flannel", yes, but not
"bath flannel".
Jitze Couperus
<ma...@peterduncanson.net> wrote:
>
>Many people would, I believe, consider a face flannel to be a personal item
>which would rarely be shared with another for reasons of hygiene.
>A person travelling would carry one in a "sponge bag".
>
A "personal item" indeed...
Many years ago a scandal erupted in Hong Kong (when it was still
a colony) because the govt. officials charged with monitoring
public health standards were allegedly not doing their job.
It turns out that many restaurants in Hong Kong provide diners
with (what is essentially) a small face flannel with which to wipe
one's fingers or even mop a sweaty brow. After being used, they all
go into a laundry basket and are picked up later by a laundry
business who also delivers fresh supplies for the next day's
business.
Other establishments in Honk Kong provide their clientele
with the same kind of little flannel, but its purpose is somewhat
different. These flannels too are collected after use, and go to the
same laundry, and are re-supplied to these other establishments.
The laundry however did not keep the two kinds separate -
they were all comingled into the washing process.
Thus, a fastidious diner might be blotting their lips or wiping
their face with a flannel one day, that had seen service the
previous evening in a house of carnal pleasures. (We're
not talking food here)
The Health Department underwent severe criticism for
permitting this comingling of flannels at the laundry, despite
public assurances about the sanitary efficacy of the laundry
in question. Since then I have always had some trepidation
about using the finger-bowls and little hand-towels that
are sometimes provided in upscale eateries.
Jitze
Charles Riggs
<ma...@peterduncanson.net> wrote:
>Many people would, I believe, consider a face flannel to be a personal item
>which would rarely be shared with another for reasons of hygiene.
>A person travelling would carry one in a "sponge bag".
I've come to realise the advantage of doing that, when traveling in
Europe, but I usually forget to bring one. I don't see, though, where
hygiene enters into it, since hotels wash the things, between guests.
(That last comma was necessary!)
Howard G
Charles Riggs wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Mar 2003 14:03:19 +0000, Peter Duncanson
> <ma...@peterduncanson.net> wrote:
>
> >Many people would, I believe, consider a face flannel to be a personal item
> >which would rarely be shared with another for reasons of hygiene.
> >A person travelling would carry one in a "sponge bag".
>
> I've come to realise the advantage of doing that, when traveling in
> Europe, but I usually forget to bring one. I don't see, though, where
> hygiene enters into it, since hotels wash the things, between guests.
> (That last comma was necessary!)
Dictionnaire Cambridge Klett Compact
sponge bag Aus, Brit trousse f de toilette
Oxford paperback dictionary
sponge bag waterproof bag for toilet articles.
Why would a hotel wash your "sponge bag" between visits? Do you have one in
storage at every hotel you're going to visit? Or is your meaning one that I'm
beginning to suspect? Is the flannel used in lieu of a Kleenex or a moist wipe?
A Chinese coolie, a poor oarsman, watched a missionary blow his nose in a
handkerchief which was returned to his pocket. He wondered aloud, "Why is he
saving excrement?"
LFS
[..]
>
> Thus, a fastidious diner might be blotting their lips or wiping
> their face with a flannel one day, that had seen service the
> previous evening in a house of carnal pleasures. (We're
> not talking food here)
>
> The Health Department underwent severe criticism for
> permitting this comingling of flannels at the laundry, despite
> public assurances about the sanitary efficacy of the laundry
> in question. Since then I have always had some trepidation
> about using the finger-bowls and little hand-towels that
> are sometimes provided in upscale eateries.
>
Oy, another health warning. You should never eat the peanuts from the
bowl on the bar, either.
LFS
[..]
>
> Thus, a fastidious diner might be blotting their lips or wiping
> their face with a flannel one day, that had seen service the
> previous evening in a house of carnal pleasures. (We're
> not talking food here)
>
> The Health Department underwent severe criticism for
> permitting this comingling of flannels at the laundry, despite
> public assurances about the sanitary efficacy of the laundry
> in question. Since then I have always had some trepidation
> about using the finger-bowls and little hand-towels that
> are sometimes provided in upscale eateries.
>
Oy, another health warning. You should never eat the peanuts from the
bowl on the bar, either.
Howard G
Or when dropped on the floor mat of your car.
Alec Owen
"Jitze Couperus" <couperu...@znet.com> wrote in message
news:3e6d6212....@sd.znet.com...
I seem to remember "flannel" being used as a verb but
can't find it in M-W. Anyone?
A Owen
John Dean
Or the little green biscuits in the bogs.
Or yellow snow.
--
John Dean
Oxford
De-frag to reply
Jens Brix Christiansen
> All your molecules existed long before that.
They most certainly did not. Life is all about building and breaking
down molecules.
Now, if you had claimed that all the nuclei of someone's atoms had
existed for more than fifty years, you would be closer to the mark.
But you would still be wrong.
Peter Duncanson
COD9
flannel // n. & v.
n.
3 Brit. slang nonsense; flattery.
v. (flannelled, flannelling; US flanneled, flanneling)
1 Brit. slang a tr. flatter. b intr. use flattery.
Brewer's Dict. of Phrase & Fable
Evasive of flattering talk; 'soft soap'.
mUs1Ka
"Alec Owen" <ao...@phaedrav.com> wrote in message
news:3e6f50ad$2...@audacity.velocet.net...
m.
Charles Riggs
wrote:
>Oy, another health warning. You should never eat the peanuts from the
>bowl on the bar, either.
Sure, right. How can anyone *not* eat salted peanuts right in front of
his or her nose?
Howard G
Firearms cleaning patches come in different sizes as squares,
rectangles, and rounds for different calibers:
Southern Bloomer produce very fine quality firearms cleaning products,
specifically patches. They manufacture patches for all calibers of
modern firearms as well as black powder patches that are cotton knit and
lint free. They make 3 inch round .54-.58 caliber to .22 caliber
shooting patches (.015 inches thick ) Ticking patches ( .015 inches
thick ) and 1 ź inch lubricated patches (.015 inches thick ).
http://www.oegmag.com/cleaning.asp
Maria Conlon
>Laura Spira wrote:
>
>> Oy, another health warning. You should never eat the peanuts from the
>> bowl on the bar, either.
>
> Sure, right. How can anyone *not* eat salted peanuts right in front of
> his or her nose?
If I were to frequent bars (BrE & IrE = pubs), I would have a problem. I
am no longer permitted to eat nuts, seeds, or popcorn. This amounts to a
major adjustment for me, even without going to places where these things
are offered free, right in front of God and everyone. That is, I love
nuts (especially cashews, pistachios, and Brazil nuts) and popcorn.
Seeds I can leave alone.
But thanks to the reminders in this thread (which would cause me to
think "who might have touched, and with what, this which I am about to
put into my mouth?"), I think I might be able to handle the temptation.
Now, if I can only avoid buying the things at the grocery store and
bringing them home...
Maria Conlon
Harvey V
> Charles Riggs wrote:
>> Laura Spira wrote:
>>> Oy, another health warning. You should never eat the peanuts
>>> from the bowl on the bar, either.
>> Sure, right. How can anyone *not* eat salted peanuts right in
>> front of his or her nose?
> But thanks to the reminders in this thread (which would cause me
> to think "who might have touched, and with what, this which I am
> about to put into my mouth?"),
One does hear some horror stories about laboratory analysis of what's
found on communal finger-snacks.
It might all be urban myth, but then again.......
--
Cheers, Harvey
For e-mail, harvey becomes whhvs.
Skitt
> Maria Conlon wrote:
>> Charles Riggs wrote:
>>> Laura Spira wrote:
>>>> Oy, another health warning. You should never eat the peanuts
>>>> from the bowl on the bar, either.
>
>>> Sure, right. How can anyone *not* eat salted peanuts right in
>>> front of his or her nose?
>
> -snip-
>
>> But thanks to the reminders in this thread (which would cause me
>> to think "who might have touched, and with what, this which I am
>> about to put into my mouth?"),
>
> One does hear some horror stories about laboratory analysis of what's
> found on communal finger-snacks.
>
> It might all be urban myth, but then again.......
No, the stuff is there, but it is normally harmless to healthy human beings.
Those who have been raised avoiding any sort of contaminants are more at
risk once exposure occurs.
Mexicans drink their water. I do too, when there. No problem. Most
Americans get sick when they do that. Oh, well ...
--
Skitt (in SF Bay Area) http://www.geocities.com/opus731/
I speak English well -- I learn it from a book!
-- Manuel (Fawlty Towers)
Alec Owen
Surprise, surprise! I for one cannot stand the smell or taste of
peanuts. I don't know why; I do not have an allergy. I am glad that
they no longer give them to passengers on flights due to an increase
in peanut allergy. I also find the aroma of popcorn revolting.
Thought you'd like to know.
A Owen
Alec Owen
"Maria Conlon" <mcon...@sprynet.com> wrote in message
news:b4t48f$22hlob$1...@ID-113669.news.dfncis.de...
Easy, Marie, buy a small farm and raise pigs, chickens and get a
cow. Grow a small garden and plant a few fruit trees.
Have your flour delivered in bulk. You could stay home and
write poetry like Emily Dickinson and never, ever go out.
A Owen
A narrow Fellow in the Grass
Occasionally rides
You may have met Him
did you not.
His notice sudden is
The Grass divides as with a Comb
A spotted shaft is seen
And then it closes at your feet
And opens further on