Manila Folders

Posted by ESC on July 11, 2003

In Reply to: Manila Folders posted by Susannah on July 11, 2003

: Hm, does anyone know where the term "manila folders" comes from? Were they originally made in Manila?

They were once made from manila paper. From Merriam-Webster online:

Main Entry: manila paper
Function: noun
Usage: often capitalized M
Date: 1873
: a strong and durable paper of a brownish or buff color and smooth finish made originally from Manila hemp