(KTLA) - For days now the internet has weighed in on this one question: What are the embroidered stripes on towels for? Software engineer Nate McGrady posted the question on X, formerly Twitter, on March 13. "What is the purpose of this part of a towel?" he asked his over 32,000 followers wit h a photo of a grey towel and a circle and arrow pointing to the two lines sewn into the towel. "I'm convinced that it only exists to shrink and make it impossible to fold the towel nicely, causing you to buy another towel." Conan O’Brien to return as Oscars host in 2026 The post quickly went viral, racking up 91 million views, 19,000 retweets and 15,000 responses. Towels on shelves of a department store. (AP) Some took the inquiry seriously, while others had fun with it. "That is the face/butt delineation line," one follower cheekily answered, pointing out the need to keep both body parts separate within the post-shower routine. "Racing stripes. It makes them dry faster," another person joked. Another follower believed its purpose was to "annoy her" and to make her "feel grateful for the other side of the towel that actually dries your hands all the way." One person noted that it could have to do with laundry. "Clothesline, clothespin holds better," they wrote. "Fold the top end so that both 'sewn' strips lie on top of each other when you hang it on the washing line. The clothespin holds better this way and doesn't flip off so quickly in the wind." Among the many answers, some were on the right track revealing the lines are called the dobby border. "It’s called 'The dobby border,' and it reinforces the fabric, prevents fraying, adds a decorative touch, and helps with folding. It’s also less absorbent due to its tighter weave, one person said. "It’s called a dobby weave. It maintains structure and prevents curling. It’s also decorative," another one explained. Normani and DK Metcalf engaged, credit celeb couple for introducing them It turns out those last two answers are correct! Towel wholesaler Towel Hub gave a detailed explanation in a blog post, which wraps up the conversation. "Known as a dobby border, this woven strip helps prevent fraying, improves absorbency, and gives towels a professional, polished look," the site said. "The woven strip at both ends acts as reinforcement, securing the fabric’s edges and preventing them from unraveling. This small but crucial feature ensures that towels remain intact, even after dozens of washes, making them a reliable choice for both businesses and home use." The towel wholesaler explained that the woven strip "allows for smarter purchasing decisions, especially when buying in bulk for hotels, spas, gyms, or pools," which rely on "durability to maintain cost efficiency." "A high-quality dobby border ensures towels retain their shape and effectiveness even after repeated washing and use." Without that border, the towel is more likely to wear out quickly and unravel after repeated use. It seems as though the issue has been wrung out and left to dry. ...read more read less