Placemat is a protective table pad usually made of paper, plastic or cloth for restaurants and households. The term is derived from the mat being put at a persons "place" (chair) at a table.

A napkin or serviette is a rectangle of cloth or paper used at the table for wiping the mouth while eating. It is usually small and folded. The word comes from Middle English, borrowing the Frenchnappe—a cloth covering for a table—and adding -kin, the diminutive suffix.