Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1885 — Names of the Fabrics. [ARTICLE]

Names of the Fabrics.

Everything connected with one’s business is of importance. Very few dry goods men know the origin of the names of many of the goods they handle. These may seem trivial points," but they are of interest to the man who seeks to be thoroughly familiar with the merchandise in which he deals. For the information of snoh we give the derivation of the names of the following goods : Damask is from Damascus; satins, from Zavtown, in China; calico, from Calient, a town in India, formerly celebrated for its cotton cloth, and where calico was also printed. Muslin is named from Mesnl, in Asia; alpaca, from an animal of Per u, of the llama species, from whose wool the fabric is woven. Buckram takes its name from Bokhara. Fnstian comes from Fostat, a citySsf the Middle Ages, from which the modern Cairo is descended; taffeta and tabby, from a street in Bagdad; cambric, Irom Cambrai. Ganze has its name from Gaza; baize, from Bajac; dimity, from Damietta; and jeans, from Jean. Drag-1 get is derived from a city in Ireland, Drogheda. Duck comes from Torque, in Normandy. Blanket is called after Thomas Blankett, a famous clothier connected with the introduction of woolens into England abont 1340. Serge derives its name from Xerga, a Spanish name for a peculiar woolen blanket. Diaper is not from D* Y pres, as is sometimes stated, bnt from the Greek diaspron figured. Velvet is from the Italian velluto, wooly, (Latin, vel--Ins, a hide or pelt.) Shawl is the Sanskirt sala, floor; for shawls were first used as carpets and tapestry. Bandanna is from an Indian word, meaning to bind or tie, because they are tied in knots before dyeing. Chintz comes from the Hindn word chett Delaine is the French of “wool."