Handkerchief, << HANG kuhr chihf, >> is a small piece of cloth people carry to wipe their face, nose, or eyes. It is usually made of cotton or linen, but it may be of lace or silk. The people of ancient Greece and Rome used the first handkerchiefs we know about. During the Middle Ages (from about the A.D. 400’s through the 1400’s), the handkerchief became a showy decoration. In France during the 1000’s, wealthy men and women wore their handkerchiefs hanging from their belts.
As the use of the handkerchief spread, each nation developed its favorite materials. The French used silk and linen; the Italians, lace; and the English, cotton or silk. Today, some types are made only in certain countries. The best linen handkerchiefs are made in Northern Ireland and Scotland in the United Kingdom as well as in Belgium, France, and Switzerland. The best cotton handkerchiefs are from France and Italy. The best silk varieties are from China and Japan.
