The internet has once again found a niche topic to rage about, and this time, it’s over something right in your bathroom—the mysterious strip at the end of a towel.
It all started when software engineer Nate McGrady took to Twitter to ask a simple but oddly intriguing question:
“What is the purpose of that weird embroidery at the end of a towel?”
While most of us have probably noticed it, few have ever questioned its existence—until now. And of course, the internet had thoughts.
The Funniest Theories from the Internet
McGrady himself joked that it’s just a marketing trick to mess up your towel’s shape, forcing you to buy another one.
Other users had their own wild (and hilarious) ideas:
🧼 “Racing stripes. It makes them dry faster.”
😤 “It exists just to annoy me and steal softness from my life.”
🧐 “It’s a scam by Big Towel! Give us back our soft bits, you monsters!!”
But the real chaos started when people suggested that the strip was meant to separate body zones—one part for your face, and the other for, well… your other end.
💀 “It tells you which side to use so you don’t wipe your eyes where you wiped your butt.”
💡 “You wipe your butt below the line and everything else above it.”
Honestly? A pretty solid hygiene theory.
The Real Answer: It’s Called a Dobby Border
Sorry to ruin the fun, but according to towel manufacturers, this feature actually has nothing to do with body parts.
It’s called a dobby border, and it serves a practical purpose:
✅ Prevents fraying
✅ Adds structure to the towel
✅ Keeps it from curling
✅ Enhances durability
✅ Provides a decorative touch
Because the dobby weave is tighter and less absorbent, it also makes folding easier and keeps your towel looking neater.
So, while you’re free to continue using it as your personal “butt divider”, just know that Big Towel wasn’t scheming against your softness—it was just trying to make your towels last longer.