Interesting word. It is usually mugs that cause unsightly rings on wooden furniture, so it seems logical that these rings refer more to tablecloth rings. Course, there are some who find such signs of use to be a likeable way to personalise their furniture.

Pet peeve: I can't stand it if I am served a beer (or any drink) without a mat if the table is glass - awful. I am generally a fan of coaters/beer mats, they keep the table from quickly becoming a sticky mess when more than 4 or so people a sitting at one all night. And if wine is had at a meal it should, IMO, be served with a (paper) serviette underneath. Okay, enough of revealing my pedantic side.