Tea towel

[PullUpTulip]

Why tea towel, why not dish towel or something?

[B00]

I've also heard them being referred to as pot towels. I don't know the answer, I just thought i'd throw that one in.


throw in the towel......geddit???

[plowter]

I think it's a Victorian thing. Servants couldn't be trusted to dry your precious and expensive bone china tea service with ordinary dish cloths. The head housekeeper had that responsibility and used a special linen tea towel.

The National Trust sells tea towels. Dish towel is an Americanism.