tørkle

Tørkle is a Norwegian noun with several related meanings, most commonly encountered in dialects or in historical or regional usage. In Standard Norwegian, the term is relatively uncommon and often replaced by skjerf or håndkle. When used, tørkle generally refers to a small piece of fabric intended for drying, wiping, or as a kerchief.

As a kerchief, a tørkle is typically square or rectangular and folded before being tied around the head or neck. It can serve as a fashion accessory or a practical head covering in traditional dress or everyday wear. As a drying or wiping cloth, a tørkle can be a compact textile used to wipe sweat, hands, or surfaces, smaller than a bath towel but larger than a handkerchief.

Materials commonly used for tørkle include cotton, linen, wool, and silk. Care instructions depend on fabric type; cotton and linen tørkle are usually machine washable, while delicate fabrics such as silk may require gentler handling or hand washing.

Etymology-wise, the word is related to the verb tørke, meaning “to dry,” and to the diminutive or nominal suffix -kle. Its usage is strongest in certain Norwegian dialects and in historical or traditional contexts, whereas modern everyday language more often employs skjerf for scarves and håndkle for towels.

In summary, tørkle denotes a small fabric item used for drying or as a kerchief, with regional and historical usage that complements but is largely overlapped by more common terms in contemporary Norwegian. See also skjerf, håndkle, bandana.