maybe they are called that because you would use them to pick up the tea kettle.... i dont know.. im in florida so us in the south drink ice tea. yumm :)

Oh oh. I think My British is showing... A tea towel is the British English term for a dish cloth or dish towel. I have NO idea where the tea part comes from, but they are used for exactly the same boring old stuff.

well this would be great idea for me.. if i had any idea what tea towels were... :)