Viral internet debate on what the stripes on a towel should be used for finally has an answer

Yet another niche topic has caused a raging debate online, and people can't seem to agree.

The age of the internet has provided us with a lot of entertainment, and given us a new place to host our many arguments - over literally anything.

This one is all about a common household item, and viral question to do with what it should be used for.

Nate McGrady is a software engineer, and took to Twitter to ask a question, which many may have been wondering, but too scared to share on social media.

What is that strip used for? (Getty Stock Photo)

McGrady simply asked 'what the purpose' of the weird embroidery at the end of a towel really is.

Don't lie, you've thought about it at least once before.

He wrote: “I’m convinced that it only exists to shrink and make it impossible to fold the towel nicely, causing you to buy another towel.”

One user joked: "Racing stripes. It makes them dry faster."

Another said: "The purpose of it is to annoy me and to make me feel grateful for the other side of the towel that actually dries your hands all the way."

A third added: "It's a scam by Big Towel to steal precious softness from our lives!

"Give us back our soft bits, you monsters!!"

Some others suggested that one section was used to wipe your face and body and the rest was to wipe the parts of your body, well, below the border.

“It’s to tell the top from the bottom so that you don’t wipe your eyes into the same place you wiped your butt cheeks to,” one wrote, which isn't the worst way to look at it.

Another agreed, saying you wipe your butt below the line, and wipe everything else above it.

As funny as butt jokes are in this day and age, the answer is it's called a 'dobby border'.

It isn't the poop strip, FYI (Getty Stock Photo)

The answer may not be as fun or humourous, but as one user explained: "It’s called a dobby weave. It’s maintains structure and prevents curling. It’s also decorative."

A different user said: "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."

If that's not enough for you though, American towel wholesaler Towel Hub provided an explanation to the New York Post.

“Known as a dobby border, this woven strip helps prevent fraying, improves absorbency, and gives towels a professional, polished look.”

So there you go - though if you want to keep wiping your butt below the line, feel free to do so.