terry nappy

English

Etymology

Named after the terry towelling fabric from which these flat nappies were most commonly made.

Noun

terry nappy (plural terry nappies)

1. (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, chiefly historical) A cloth nappy folded from a large piece of square or rectangular absorbent fabric which is held in place by a nappy pin or other fastener, especially one made from terry (coarse cotton); a flat nappy.

   Synonyms: terry diaper, terry, flat nappy, flat diaper

   • 1940 November 14, “Blackler's Money-Saving Bargains”, in Liverpool Echo (Advertisement), Babies' Napkins, page 5:

     Special Purchase of Infants; good quality Terry Nappies; in a useful size

   • 1989, Karen Christensen, Home Ecology, British edition, HarperCollins Publishers, →ISBN, page 333:

     Many people are put off by the idea of using pins. There are excellent ecological alternatives to using a terry nappy with plastic pants. One is a fitted cotton or wool cover which holds the nappy in place without pins.