Handkerchief
A handkerchief /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/, also called a handkercher or hanky, is a form of a kerchief, usually made of thin fabric that can be carried in the pocket or purse. It was invented for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one's hands or face, or blowing one's nose.
A handkerchief is also sometimes used as a purely decorative accessory in a suit pocket.
Modern usage
The material of a handkerchief can be symbolic of the social-economic class of the user. It is not only because some materials are more expensive, but because some materials are more absorbent and useful for those who use a handkerchief for more than style. Handkerchiefs can be made of cotton, cotton-synthetic blend, synthetic fabric, silk, or linen.
Origin
Before people used the word handkerchief, the word kerchief alone was common. This term came from two French words: couvrir, which means “to cover,” and chef, which means “head.”
In the time of ancient Greece and Rome, handkerchiefs were often used the way they are today. But in the Middle Ages, kerchiefs were usually used to cover the head.
A man pictured (1901) in a three-piece suit with pocket handkerchief showing
Suits with pocket handkerchief
Men in suits with pocket handkerchief
A woman using a handkerchief for personal hygiene
A Mouchoir, a type of handkerchief
Handkerchief Media
Altes Tuch mit handgearbeiteter Tüllspitze
Morris dancers with handkerchiefs in Oxford
Photo 02-07-14 12 27 13
Rumāl with scenes of gopis worshiping Krishna. Late 18th to early 19th century, Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Ceremonial/ritual furnishing, silk embroidery on cotton. LACMA textile collection
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Other websites
Media related to Handkerchief at Wikimedia Commons