A dentist applies a dental bib to a young patient.

A bib is a garment worn hanging from the neck on the chest to protect clothing from spilling.

The word, reported in English since 1580, stems from a verb bibben "to drink" (c.1380), from Latin bibere, either because it was worn while drinking or because it "soaked up" spills.

Bibs are frequently used by children but also by some adults. Bibs are also worn when consuming certain "messy" foods, such as lobsters.

The term bib may also refer to the part of a garment that covers the chest. For instance, an apron that covers the chest may be referred to as a bib apron. The part of a jumper dress or of overalls that covers the chest may also be referred to as a bib. In sport, it may refer to a garment that used by a team to identify themselves on the field of play. Powerlifters wear a bib benchpress shirt across their chest area to help them lift more weight.

Paper bibs are also commonly used in dentist offices to protect the patient's clothing during checkups and cleanings. Another medical use is during an x-ray, a lead bib can be put over a patient to prevent the radiation from spreading to parts other than the part of the body being tested.

[edit] See also

• Apron
• Bib shorts

[edit] Sources and references

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bibs

• EtymologyOnLine

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