Where does belly button lint come from?


March 2, 1973

Dear Cecil:

Dear Cecil:

This is a 100 percent serious question, and I want the straight dope. Every night when I'm undressing for bed I stand in front of the mirror and wonder where belly button lint comes from. This is no joke.

John W., Washington, D.C. Dear John: What makes you think you have to urge me to be serious, Jojo? Your navel is one of the few places on your body where perspiration has a ch

Cecil replies:

This is a 100 percent serious question, and I want the straight dope. Every night when I’m undressing for bed I stand in front of the mirror and wonder where belly button lint comes from. This is no joke.

—John W., Washington, D.C.

Dear John:

What makes you think you have to urge me to be serious, Jojo? Your navel is one of the few places on your body where perspiration has a chance to accumulate before evaporating. Lint from your clothing, cottons especially, adheres to the wet area and remains after the moisture departs.

Cecil Adams

Send questions to Cecil via cecil@straightdope.com.

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