Soft, smooth fabric made from silk threads, or the colorful outfits that jockeys wear during horse races.
From Old English via Old French, originally from Chinese 'si' referring to the fiber. Silk fabric became incredibly valuable in medieval Europe because it was rare and beautiful. The term 'silks' for jockey uniforms comes from the traditional silk material used in their bright racing colors.
Silk is produced by silkworms eating mulberry leaves—one worm produces one continuous thread about 1,500 meters long! Medieval Europeans traded fortunes for this fabric, which is why Chinese silk merchants were among the first millionaires in human history.
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