Rag/s
This word refers to cloth which is either old, dirty, worn and frayed (the weave is coming away and the threads which make up the fabric are coming loose) or cloth which resembles any of these characteristics. In the past people might have used old clothing or other textiles (perhaps sacking) as rags which were then used for dirty jobs, especially cleaning the house. Today dancers either cut up old clothes, use fabric off-cuts or buy new cloth to make their rags out of.