Alpha Rug Expo A carpet is any loom-woven, felted textile or grass floor covering. The term was also used for table and wall coverings, as carpets were not commonly used on the floor in European interiors until the 18th century. The term "carpet" derives from Armenian "karpet" (կարպետ), "kar" meaning a "knot" or "stitch". Oftentimes, the term "carpet" is used interchangeably with the term "rug". The hand-knotted pile carpet probably originated in Caucasus between the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. Cilician Armenia which had intensive trade relations with Venice, brought carpets to all of Europe, where they were primarily hung on walls or used on tables. Only with the opening of trade routes in the 17th century were significant numbers of Persian rugs introduced to Western Europe. wiki