Why do some people call handbags "pocketbooks"?

[KitchenWitch]

[tcfrogs]

1. Same reason that...

some people call Kirstie Alley annoying :)

[KitchenWitch]

2. good one!

[meow2u3]

3. The same reason some people call them "purses"

Purses, handbags, pocketbooks: six of one, a half a dozen of the other, and a quarter of a case of the third

[Not Me]

4. Why do people call purses handbags?

n/t

[tjwmason]

22. In England

because a purse is the smaller container carried within the handbag which carries money and/or credit-cards.

Also because it's a bag which one holds with a hand (we English are simple people and don't like terms to be too complicated).

[smbolisnch]

5. I say purse. When I lived in Charlotte, it was pocketbook.

I found that odd too. I guess it's like the pop/soda thing. :shrug:

[Soopercali]

6. Philly = "pocketbook".

Sometimes you hear people call them "purses" or "handbag," but hardly ever.

[smbolisnch]

8. It seems to be different everywhere! nt

[Lavender Brown]

7. My mom always says pocketbook

In New York. Maybe it's more generational than geographic :shrug:

[Book Lover]

14. Same here

In Queens it is pronounced "pockabook"

[CottonBear]

9. In the south any "soda" is a "coke."

If you say "soda" or "pop" we know you're not from these parts!

I think that I use all three words for a ladies bag. A handbag or pocketbook is the kind with a handle or handles that you carry by hand. A purse or shoulderbag has an over the shoulder strap.
There is such a thing as a "change purse" which holds coins.

[smbolisnch]

11. People definitely looked at me like I was crazy when I'd say pop.

I could never quite get used to saying soda. It feels so wierd! :P

[tcfrogs]

12. Let's not start this business again

It's a flame war! Coke/soda/pop, etc....

[smbolisnch]

15. It is?

You'd have to be wound pretty tight to get mad about POP. :P

[tcfrogs]

16. Hee hee!

Not me, but I've seen flame-fests here regarding such an important issue!

[hickman1937]

10. my Grandma called it a pocketbook.

or a pockabook. She grew up in New York.

[nutsnberries]

13. what do you want me to call it?

i'll call it anything.

I always used to say pocketbook
but now sometimes I say purse- never handbag.
Handbag sounds like something Lily Tomlin would hit the ol' guy with,
but I don't know... I'll call it whatever you want.

[Dookus]

19. Lily Tomlin?

nah... it was Ruth Buzzi who wielded the pocketbook.

sheesh, kids these days.

[nutsnberries]

20. hahahaha....

you're right...

kids? nah, i just slipped a bit.

i'd call that thing she has in her lap a handbag-
and she was an OLD BAG!

[Bouncy Ball]

17. I've always said purse.

My mother in law is from New Jersey and says pocketbook, which seems strange, since it is neither a pocket nor a book.

[Lex]

21. Sounds like that SNL skit "Coffee Talk"

.
with Mike Meyers playing Linda Richman:

"A pocketbook is neither a pocket nor a book. Discuss."

[msgadget]

18. Because their mothers did! n/t

[trof]

23. Origin of "purses":

Pockets are a relatively recent invention.
Before pockets, people would carry small valuables like coins or jewels in small cloth or leather pouches tucked in a waistband or sash/belt.
Eventually they discovered that a drawstring around the top of the pouch would keep the valuables more secure.
It was noted that the top of the closed bag resembled puckered or pursed lips.
It's only because of a semantic choice long ago that today ladies don't carry "puckers".

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
;-)

[Seabiscuit]

26. Hmmm ... very interesting ... so what's the origin of "Fudpuckers"?

[KitchenWitch]

27. Ok now that just sounds obscene!

[Seabiscuit]

28. Hmmm... you may be onto something.

[trof]

29. It's what Elmer does

when he's about to kiss someone.
Next question?
;-)

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

24. Isn't that a whaddayacall "isogloss"?

Sneakers vs. tennis shoes vs. plimsoles.

Soda vs. soft drink vs. "pop".

I heard about those on public radio, back in the good old days.

[DustMolecule]

25. My grandmother (and I'm 'old' myself).....would say pocketbook

I remember too that she would refer to her luggage as "a grip" (i.e., I've packed my grip)

I also remember something about a cosmetic 'bag'/kit, being called a 'train case'.

And a men's little shaving/travel bag being called a DOP bag (I don't remember where 'DOP' comes from....but it was called something else as well)

[trof]

31. DOPP Kit.

The classic men's toiletries bag.
In the past many referred to any shaving kit as a "Dopp kit", like Kleenex for any type of tissue.

[Ivan Sputnik]

30. Where I grew up

in upstate New York, my mom (originally from the West Coast) always carried a "purse" but I often heard these things called "pocketbooks" by others. Everyone seemed to know what a purse was, though. I suppose they are called pocketbooks because they are like a "book" of pockets? I never heard them called handbags until I moved to NYC.

[semillama]

32. perhaps because you open it like a book?

I LOVE mysterious word origins.