Do you use the technical term "silk" to audiences or do you use a more familiar term like scarf or hankerchief? Sometimes I give the silk a name to avoid the situation ("Smiley the clown" for example). I am interested in what names others use in their shows.

Depending on the use and size of the “silk” I call it a handkerchief - small size (18 inches or less) or a scarf if it is over 18 inches.

Most of the time I don't call them anything. If I'm telling a story, I just talk and do the effect. Once in a great while if I have to call it something, I use the term "silk handkerchief" but when performing for magicians, I call it a silk. I guess that covers all the bases.

Hi:

I normally call them "handkerchiefs".

Ron

Usually, I call it a silk scarf.

A silk! Has anyone ever asked you what is was?

Dear Dan,

Since silks are such a beautiful addition of any magic performance, and often add a delightful "WOW" factor, I would call them what they are: Silks!

Ruth

So if the Silk Handkerchiefs you use in your act are 100% silk you call them Silks?
And if they are 100% Rayon do you call them Rayons?
What if they are 100% Polyester do you call them Polies?
Some of mine are a 5050 Blend, do I call them Blendies?
The Handherchiefs I buy at the store are made of cotton do I start refering to them as Cottons?

To magicians they are silks to the audience they are scarves or handkerchiefs.

Most of the silk magic I do is done to music so I don't call them anything.

We could also call them "pocket squares."

Jim

What do I call silks? I don't believe in calling them silks. If you forgot to iron them, as Al Flosso did, he called them a few dirty , little rags. It fit his style and presentation. In a talking routine , I call them pretty little hankies, I got these when Victoria Secret had a half-price sale, or once when I was folding my laundry, a sexy teenage girl was folding her unmentionables next to me , and when I got home I found this pretty little dainty....whatever stuck to my jockey shorts! Calling them silks just shows a lack of imagination!
Darryl the Wizard

When the routine is just music, I don't call them anything. However, when I am using patter, I don't just call them "silks" when I introduce them, but I also explain somethings about them. How could something so elegant be the product of an insect? But it is! Everthing has its place. Silk has 2/3s the strength of steel. And nothing else is as flashy on stage. Look at the color! It is difficult to believe that something so sheer could hold so much magic until you are ready to see it. (ZAP!)

I am not there to deal in the ordinary. My job is to entertain. Who would pay to see my handkerchief? I don't think my socks would be any less interesting. Nobody cares what they are made of or what their talents may be. I'm sure I could do 20th Century socks. Why should I?

It is rare that I would not take the opportunity to call a silk a silk. It helps the show.

Dynamike,

See we did discuss this five years ago.

Bob

Handkerchief for smaller silks, Scarves for the longer ones.

Yes, I do, Bob.

I call Handkerchief, in spanish "Pañuelo".

In a kids show pretty red things or whatever color,thus they are keep magical..Howard

One word ....... Hanky

I actually enlighten my audiences. I tell them I have beautiful scarves from the Orient made of pure silk from silkworms in a Chinese sweat shop near Shanghai.
Magicians call them silks.