The modern necktie traces back to the time of the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) when Croatian mercenaries from the Croatian Military Frontier in French service, wearing their traditional small, knotted neckerchiefs, aroused the interest of the Parisians. Due to the slight difference between the Croatian word for Croats, “Hrvati”, and the French word, “Croates”, the garment gained the name “cravat” (“cravate” in French). The new article of clothing started a fashion craze in Europe; both men and women wore pieces of fabric around their necks.