I'm referring to a handkerchief. AKA: snotrag. PLEASE, use a tissue and those that nasty body secretion into the trash.
By definition, a handkerchief or hanky, is a form of a kerchief, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric that can be carried in the pocket or purse, and which is intended for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one's hands or face, or blowing one's nose.
Thankfully a handkerchief is also sometimes used as a purely decorative accessory in a suit pocket -- and I have no issues with that use.
Who on earth came up with the idea of a piece of cloth you carry in your pocket, use it from time to time -- TO BLOW YOUR NOSE -- and return it to your pocket.
It seems that honor goes to King Richard II of England, who reigned from 1377 to 1399. It is widely believed that he invented the cloth handkerchief, as surviving documents written by his courtiers describe his use of square pieces of cloth to wipe his nose. Certainly they were in existence by Shakespeare's time, and a handkerchief is an important plot device in his play Othello..
Today, even though I routinely see older people using a handkerchief, it is, by all standards, considered old-fashioned or unhygienic, in some parts of the world, mainly due to the popularization of disposable paper handkerchiefs and the fact that they are stored in a pocket or a purse after being used. However, they are a potentially more environment-conscious choice, as cloth handkerchiefs are reusable.
A handkerchief tucked in the pocket of a man's suit jacket is referred to as a pocket square. But if you'll pull it out and blow your nose, I'll call it a snot rag....
Just use a tissue and throw it away.
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