Etiquette and Making Ends Meet

Before the coming of the napkin, which appeared about the middle of the 15th century, the table cloth took its place, and was drawn over the knees of the guests as they took their seats.

It is said that the proverb about the trouble of making ends meet originated when it was still the fashion to put the table napkin around the neck and tie it behind. At that time, ruffs were so high and voluminous, that it was next to impossible to follow this point of etiquette. Before the coming of the napkin, which appeared about the middle of the fifteenth century, the table cloth took its place, and was drawn over the knees of the guests as they took their seats. – The Morning Press, 1892

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia