Tweed

a soft, twilled, woolen textile, woven in a plain or small check, or a plaid effect. Although quite heavy, the fabric is somewhat loose and elastic. Scotland was the home of tweed; Scotch tweed is still regarded as specially desirable although the fabric is produced in the United States. The name tweed was given to this fabric in a peculiar way. Until about 1870 these textiles were called simply twills, which word the Scotch pronounce "tweels." In a certain lawsuit in London, the word occurring in an invoice of goods was read incorrectly "tweed," which has ever since been used to designate this class of goods. It seems especially appropriate, as they are manufactured largely in southern Scotland near the river Tweed.