Cloth Diapers

A diaper (NAE) or nappy (CE) is an absorbent garment worn by individuals who are incontinent, that is, lack control over bladder or bowel movements, or who are unable to reach the toilet when needed. more...

This group primarily includes infants and young children, as well as some elderly people and some with a phsyical or mental disability.

Word origin

The word diaper originally referred to the type of cloth rather than its use. Diaper cloth was originally linen. The first known reference is in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew: "Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper". This usage stuck in the United States and Canada, but in Britain the word nappy (short for baby napkin) took its place.

In addition, diapers are often referred to as "pampers" in the US, from the popular brand.

Adult usage

Diapers are occasionally worn by adults who are unable or not allowed to reach a toilet for longer than their bladders can hold out. Examples are:

• People suffering from incontinence.
• People who have a diaper fetish or are infantilists.
• Guards who must remain on duty; this is sometimes called the "watchman's urinal".
• Truck drivers forced to do long hours of non-stop driving (skipping mandated pauses is against the law in many countries, but still very common).
• A person diving in a diving suit (in former times often a standard diving dress) continuously for several hours.
• Astronauts during liftoff and landing who must remain at a post for hours for safety, and also during an extra-vehicular activity.
• A woman who is pregnant and must urinate very frequently, and urgently.
• Legislators in the midst of a filibuster (an activity often referred to as "taking to the diaper")
• Some Death Row inmates who are to about to be executed wear an "execution diaper" to collect body fluids expelled during the execution and after the prisoner is dead.

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