| You are here: | About>Health>Menstrual Disorders> Myths and History> What Does On the Rag Mean - Menstruation Slang Term On the Rag |
![]() | Menstrual Disorders |
Suggested ReadingMenstrual MythsWhat Pioneer Women Used for Sanitary Protection Q. What Does the Phrase "On the Rag" Mean?About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
A. The phrase on the rag originated sometime during the late 19th to early 20th century. When a woman was menstruating, she was on the rag, a phrase that literally described the way women of the day protected themselves from accidents during menstruation. Each woman had a supply of rags for specific use during menstruation. Women would layer rags together until they were sufficiently thick, then use pins to attach the rags to their panties. After each use, the women would wash the rags and hang them out to dry. Each woman had a special place (usually a bag in her underwear drawer) where she kept her rags for the next time she menstruated.
Source: News November 1997; The Museum of Menstruation (MUM); http://www.mum.org/olnews43.htm; accessed 04/25/08. Updated: May 2, 2008 Suggested ReadingMenstrual MythsWhat Pioneer Women Used for Sanitary Protection |
Dealing With Heart DiseaseHeart Disease BasicsCommon SymptomsTreatment OptionsReducing Your RiskWomen and Heart Disease |
All Topics | Email Article | | | ![]() |
| Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | Help | Our Story | Be a Guide |
| More from About, Inc.: Calorie Count Plus | UCompareHealthCare User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Corrections | Privacy Policy | ©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved. |


