The English definition of the title states it is if a fabric or silk with a striped pattern. It also has another meaning, which has little to do with appearance. Which meaning was the first?
The meaning of tabby as striped patterns was the first in the English language. The Arabic name for fabric is ‘Atabi.’ It has its origin in the ancient district of Baghdad, Attabiah. The name ‘Atabi’ became an English name in the 17th century. English speaking people converted the pronunciation to tabby and used it to describe anything that had striped. The word became a standard description of striped cats in the 18th century.
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