Palochka

Palochka (Па́лочка) is a Russian word that translates literally to "little stick" or "small stick." In a broader context, it refers to a small, thin, rod-shaped object, often made of wood, plastic, or metal. The diminutive suffix "-ochka" (or "-ichka" depending on the gender of the noun) indicates smallness and often endearment or familiarity.

The term can be used in various everyday situations to describe different types of small sticks, such as a toothpick, a small wooden skewer, a counting stick used in elementary education, or even a chopstick (although other more specific terms exist for chopsticks in Russian). The specific meaning is usually clarified by the context in which the word is used. Palochka can also be used figuratively to describe something long and thin.