100 Fiber Geek Things 1: What the heck is "worsted" wool anyway?

I'm starting a new 100 things exclusively about fiber geek things, as the "random things" one seems to have petered out and this is more exciting to me at the moment...so bear with me, those of you who don't knit/spin/crochet/etc.! Also bear in mind that I have been spinning for a little over a month, so I may make the occasional mistake. Please be patient and kind.

Also known as, what is the difference between how wool is prepared, or what is the difference between "sliver" (rhymes with "diver") and "top" and all of those confusing terms one sees at yarn shops/fiber shows/interwebz stores like etsy.

We used to wonder a lot about worsted wool in my house, at is a frequent Washington Post crossword clue having to due with mens' suits. Random aside. Anywho, here's what you need to know:

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