The spelling of the word "dottel" is not intuitive, but it can be explained phonetically. The word is pronounced /ˈdɑːtəl/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "ot" in "dottel" is pronounced like the "au" in "caught", while the "e" at the end is silent. This uncommon spelling is likely due to its origins as a dialectical or regional term. "Dottel" refers to the worthless residue of tobacco, or the last bits of a candle, and is not a word commonly used in everyday conversation.
Dottel refers to the short, coarse, and inferior fibers that remain after the longer and more desirable fibers have been removed from flax or hemp plants during the process of extracting fiber for textile production. These leftover fibers are typically coarser and less malleable, often containing impurities such as short pieces of broken stalks, debris, and fragments of woody tissue. Dottel fibers possess minimal tensile strength and are therefore unsuitable for making high-quality textiles or fabrics.
Due to their inferior quality, dottel fibers are commonly discarded or used in low-grade applications such as insulation materials, stuffing for pillows or mattresses, and coarse sackcloth. The term "dottel" derives from the Old English word "dotel," meaning refuse or waste material, accurately capturing the marginal utility of these fibers.
In addition to flax and hemp, the term "dottel" can also be applied to the residual fibers obtained from other plants with long, fibrous stems, such as ramie and jute. However, it is important to note that the specific characteristics and applications of dottel fibers may vary depending on the plant source.
Overall, dottel represents the inferior and discarded fibers remaining after the process of extracting higher quality textile fibers, finding limited use primarily in low-grade applications due to their coarseness and lack of desired properties.
The word "dottel" is believed to have originated from the Middle English term "dottell". It is derived from the Old English word "dyttol" or "dytta", which has a variant form "dottle" meaning a plug or stopper. The root of this word can be traced back to the Old Norse word "dutill" or "dotta", which refers to a small lump or clot. Over time, the word "dottel" has evolved to specifically describe the unburned or residual tobacco left at the bottom of a pipe after smoking.