tea towels

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Hi.
I was wondering if anyone knows why tea towels are called tea towels. I have never used them, or seen anyone use them with tea. I have always known them as dishtowels, but for some reason in my house, and several of my friends' houses they were always called tea towels. Were they originally used for some tea-related purpose?

[PeteVu]

british english calls dishtowels tea towels.

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is there a reason for that? do they use them more for tea than dishes?

[Guest]

Hi,

Here in England we don't have dish towels (as the previous respondant stated) we have dishcloths for clearing crumbs and spilt liquids etc. Teatowels are used to dry crockery etc and polish cutlery. Spotlessly whit and pressed teatowels are used as waiting cloths to serve plates with thus, ensuring that fingerprints are not left on the customer's plate.

Hope this helps

Wayne

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thanks wayne!

[PeteVu]

in the end... we're all talking about a small, absorbent, rectangle of cloth.