Baize
Baize is a coarse woollen cloth, similar in texture to felt, but more durable.History
A mid-17th-century English ditty —much quoted in histories of ale and beer brewing in England—refers to 1525:
Hops, heresies, bays, and beer;
Came into England all in one year.
Heresies refers to the Protestant Reformation, while bays is the Elizabethan spelling for baize.Applications
Baize is often used on billiards tables to cover the and, and is often used on other kinds of gaming tables such as those for blackjack, baccarat, craps and other casino games. It is also found as a writing surface, particularly on 19th century pedestal desks.
The surface finish of baize is coarse. Baize is available with and without a perceptible nap. Snooker, in which understanding nap effects is part of the game, uses the nappy variety, while pool and carom billiards use the napless type.
For gaming use, baize is traditionally dyed green, in mimicry of a lawn , though wide variety of table colours have become accepted.Idioms and catchphrases
