Napkin
A cloth or paper square used for wiping while eating.
A napkin—also called a serviette or face towelette—is a square of cloth or paper tissue used at the table to wipe the mouth and fingers while eating. It can also serve as a bib when tucked into a shirt collar. Typically small and folded, napkins may be arranged in elaborate designs, colors, and shapes. The word dates to the 14th century, coming from Late Middle English *nappekin*, which itself derives from Old French *nappe* (tablecloth, from Latin *mappa*) plus the suffix *-kin*.
In a place setting, the napkin is conventionally folded and placed to the left, outside the outermost fork. At restaurants or catered events, it may be folded into more elaborate shapes and displayed on the empty plate, sometimes using origami techniques to create three-dimensional designs. A napkin can also be bundled with cutlery using a napkin ring, or paper napkins may be kept in a napkin holder.
The Greeks used *apomagdalia*—bread, dough, or fat—to wipe themselves, sometimes throwing it to dogs; the term also referred to dog food made from dough and fat. Later, they used a cloth called *cheiromaktron* (“hand-wipe”), which the Romans called *mantelium*. One of the earliest English references to table napkins dates to 1384–85.
Paper napkins were first commercially produced in the late 19th century, with early examples appearing in Japan and Europe. While paper was invented in ancient China around the 2nd century BC, it was primarily used for writing and wrapping, and there is no widely accepted historical evidence for its use as a napkin during that period. Claims of paper napkins known as *chih pha* and their use by the Yu family of Hangzhou are not verifiable in mainstream historical sources. Paper napkins were first imported to the US in the late 1800s but gained widespread acceptance only after 1948, when Emily Post stated that using paper napkins was far better form than using linen napkins that had been used at breakfast.
A claim that Leonardo da Vinci invented the napkin in 1491 stems from *Leonardo's Kitchen Notebooks* (1987), a prank book published as an April Fools’ Day joke. The story says the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, tied live rabbits decorated with ribbons to guests’ chairs for hand-wiping, and Leonardo found this inappropriate, presenting a cloth for each guest. The myth references a nonexistent “Codex Romanoff” supposedly found in 1481.
- First english reference
- 1384–85
- Etymology
- Late Middle English nappekin, from Old French nappe
- Alternative names
- serviette, face towelette, handkerchief (dialectal British), kerchief (Scotland)
- Materials
- cloth or paper tissue
- Earliest paper napkin use
- late 19th century (commercial production); unverified claims of ancient Chinese use
- Us introduction of paper napkins
- late 1800s, widespread acceptance by 1948
Reader's Guide
The napkin has evolved from improvised wipes like bread or cloth to a standard table item. Conventionally folded and placed to the left of the place setting, it can be shaped into elaborate designs using origami techniques, held by a napkin ring, or stored in a napkin holder. Paper napkins were first imported to the US in the late 1800s but gained widespread acceptance after 1948, when Emily Post asserted it was better form to use paper napkins than linen napkins used at breakfast. A myth claims Leonardo da Vinci invented the napkin in 1491, stemming from a 1987 prank book that fabricated a lost Codex Romanoff. The napkin remains a common dining accessory, with the term also serving as an abbreviation for 'sanitary napkin'.
Did You Know?
- The word 'napkin' derives from Late Middle English nappekin, from Old French nappe (tablecloth) and the suffix -kin.
- Paper napkins were first commercially produced in the late 19th century; claims of their use in ancient China are not supported by mainstream historical evidence.
- A 1987 prank book falsely claimed Leonardo da Vinci invented the napkin, referencing a nonexistent 'Codex Romanoff'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Napkin in the context of Hygiene and Personal Care?
A Napkin is a small square of cloth or paper tissue designed to be used at the table for wiping the mouth and fingers during a meal. It can also function as a bib when tucked into a shirt collar.
Where does the word 'Napkin' come from?
The term traces back to Late Middle English 'nappekin,' which combines Old French 'nappe' (meaning tablecloth, itself borrowed from Latin 'mappa') with the diminutive suffix '-kin.' The earliest known English reference dates to 1384–85.
How should a Napkin be positioned in a formal place setting?
Conventionally, the folded Napkin sits to the left of the plate, outside the outermost fork. It may also be displayed in decorative folds, colors, or shapes as part of the table arrangement.
When did paper Napkins first appear commercially?
Paper Napkins entered commercial production in the late 19th century, with their introduction in the United States occurring in the late 1800s. They became widely accepted by around 1948, though unverified claims of earlier Chinese use have never been confirmed.
What alternative names exist for a Napkin across different dialects?
Depending on region, the item is also called a serviette, a face towelette, a handkerchief (in some British dialects), or a kerchief (in Scotland).
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