A bag is a common tool in the form of a nonrigid container. The use of bags predates recorded history, with the earliest bags being no more than lengths of animal skin, cotton, or woven plant fibers, folded up at the edges and secured in that shape with strings of the same material. A tote bag is a large and often unfastened bag with parallel handles that emerge from the sides of its pouch. The archetypal tote is made of sturdy cloth, perhaps with thick leather at its handles or bottom; leather versions often have a pebbled surface. Common fabrics include heavy canvas, possibly dyed, or treated to resist moisture and mold. A duffel bag is a large cylindrical bag made of cloth with a drawstring closure at the top. The name comes from Duffel, a town in Belgium where the thick cloth used to make the bag originated. More recently, a duffel bag typically refers to the specific style of bag, though the phrase may also be used to refer to any large generic holdall or a bag made of thick fabric. It is often used to carry luggage or sports equipment by people who travel in the outdoors. Duffel bags are also often used by military personnel. When used by sailors or marines they are sometimes called seabags. A messenger bag is a type of sack, usually made out of some kind of cloth , that is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are sometimes used by couriers, they are now also an urban fashion icon. Some types of messenger bags are calledcarryalls A smaller version is often called a sling bag