In America this type of embroidery thread is known as embroidery floss.
See also the TRC Needle entry on perlé cotton thread.
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 8 June 2016).
GVE
Stranded Embroidery Cotton Threads
Five skeins of DMC stranded embroidery floss.
Stranded embroidery cotton threads are a form of mercerised yarn that became available from the late 1920's onwards. They are now widely used for various types of embroidery. Stranded cotton threads are very shiny and come in six strands that can easily be divided (Z-plied, s-spun). They were initially made by DMC, but were later copied by many other companies.
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Threads