You say purse, I say handbag...

As the quote says, we are divided by a common language, and I'd be glad of some translation.

I know that in the US, and I guess in Canada too, what I call a handbag is called a purse. And as you probably know in the UK a purse means something rather different, ie a ladies wallet.

What I'm wondering is, does purse mean a particular kind of bag, such as a small one? If you carry a bag big enough to hold three books, a bottle of water and your lunch, do you still call it a purse?

Does the word handbag have meaning across the pond, or is it a strange Britishism, like faucet is a strange Americanism to me - I know what it means but I would never use it.

And I'd love to know what you call your bag in Australia.

Or if you are a not a native English speaker, which words do you use if you are describing your bag in English?

I'm partly just curious, as I'm deeply fascinated by linguistics, but this is also to help me for my international marketing for titles and descriptions. With the £ the way it is, I find I'm selling abroad a lot on ebay right now, and bags seem to be an easy sell too.

Any responses gratefully received!

Ruth

 

I tend to think of a handbag more in the terms of a purse that you can only carry using your hands. A handbag to me is more conservative, like those smaller leather ones from the 50s and 60s. Small handled.

 

Interesting about pocketbook, what a lovely word. I read something recently about the word "pocket" originally meaning a small drawstring bag that women carried inside their clothes, I think somehow attached to the waist band of a skirt or something. And that that is what is meant in the rhyme "Lucy Locket lost her pocket".

 

I call mine a "hand bag" although I have also used the term pocketbook and purse . I think the terms are interchangeable in the US - depending on the age of the person using the term and perhaps the region of the country where they live. I've even heard the term "bag" used. During most of the '80's and '90's I used to buy "shoulder bags".

Linn

 

Beyond a certain size, and I'm likely to call it a tote. I use the term purse for mine. Handbag sounds formal to my ears, and as with Mary Jane, like something I need to use my hands to deal with. I love my vintage handbags but I'm always afraid I'm going to set it down and forget it. My everyday purse slings over my shoulder where I'm aware of it without having to think about it.

 

Ruth -

Just curious - what do you call a "faucet?" Spigot?

Back on topic, I do use my vintage "hand bags" but most of the time I use an "all purpose" bag with a long pouch like shape, that closes with a zipper, and has two straps that I usually hang on my shoulder.

Linn

 

Thanks for all the responses, this is really interesting!

We call it a tap!

And in the UK a purse is what you keep your cash and credit cards in. Only for women - men have wallets, women have purses. So I have a purse in my handbag! We never use the term purse for a bag here, I used to get very confused when I heard it used that way on American TV shows. Don't really hear tote bag used here much either.

Ruth

 

Speaking of the term "purse"most "hand bags" from the '40's- '50's came with a "change purse.". Here's a '50's alligator handbag with a change purse and a mirror:





Linn

 

I love a vintage bag that still has the coin purse! And that's a beauty Linn.

Reading this, I realise I tend to say rucksack rather than backpack, for a double strapped bag worn on the back. I use backpack too, but rucksack is more natural to me. I think rucksack came into English from German. Though I'd never say 'rucksacking' the way people say 'backpacking around the world'! Knapsack I never use, I don't think that's much said in the UK .

 

Fannypack oh yes, goodness me! The first time I heard that my eyes popped! "I beg your pardon?!"

You do hear bum bag, which I think means the same thing, but I'd call it a money belt. In fact I've just been thinking I need one for doing my vintage stall!

Ruth