Anapkin,serviette orface towelette is asquare of cloth or paper tissue used at the table for wiping of the mouth and fingers while eating. It is also sometimes used as a bib by tucking it into a shirt collar. It is usually small and folded, sometimes in intricate designs,colors, and shapes.[citation needed]
The term 'napkin' dates back to the 14th century, referring to a cloth or paper item used during meals for wiping of the lips and fingers, additionally safeguarding clothing from collecting stains.[1] The word derives from theLate Middle Englishnappekin, fromOld Frenchnappe (tablecloth, fromLatinmappa), with the suffix-kin.[2]
A 'napkin' can also be referred to as a small cloth or towel, such as ahandkerchief in dialectal British, or akerchief in Scotland.[3]
'Napkin' could also be an abbreviation for "sanitary napkin".[4]
Conventionally, the napkin is folded and placed to the left of the place setting, outside the outermost fork. In a restaurant setting or acaterer's hall, it may be folded into more elaborate shapes and displayed on the empty plate. Origami techniques can be used to create a three-dimensional design. A napkin may also be held together in a bundle with cutlery by anapkin ring. Alternatively, paper napkins may be contained within anapkin holder.
Summaries of napkin history often say that theancient Greeks used bread to wipe their hands.[citation needed] This is suggested by a passage in one ofAlciphron's letters (3:44), and some remarks by the sausage seller inAristophanes' play,The Knights.[5] The bread in both texts is referred to asapomagdalia which simply means bread from inside the crust known asthe crumb and not special "napkin bread".[6] Napkins were also used inancient Roman times.[citation needed]
One of the earliest references to table napkins in English dates to 1384–85.[7][full citation needed]
The use of paper napkins is documented inancient China, where paper was invented in the 2nd century BC.[8] Paper napkins were known aschih pha, folded in squares, and used for the serving oftea. Textual evidence of paper napkins appears in a description of the possessions of the Yu family, from the city ofHangzhou.[9]
Paper napkins were first imported to the US in the late 1800s but did not gain widespread acceptance until 1948, whenEmily Post asserted, "It’s far better form to use paper napkins than linen napkins that were used at breakfast."[10][11]
It has been claimed thatLeonardo da Vinci invented the napkin in 1491. According to this claim, the Duke of Milan,Ludovico Sforza, used to tie up live rabbits decorated with ribbons to the guest’s chairs so they could wipe their hands on the animal’s back. Leonardo found this inappropriate, and presented a cloth for each guest.[12][13] The myth stems fromLeonardo's Kitchen Notebooks (1987), byJonathan Routh and Shelagh Routh, a prank book published as anApril Fools’ Day joke, that claims a long lost Codex Romanoff was found in 1481, which never really existed.[14]
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)At this time, tea was served from baskets made of rushes which held tea cups with paper napkins (chih pha).
