Comments on: Handbag or Purse?

By: Gigi

Gigi — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:09:55 +0000

It’s funny, I’m not even British (Canadian here) and I still consider a “purse” to be something to keep your spare change it, or at least a very very small bag. I consider a “purse” to be a type of “handbag”. Sometimes I just lose the prefix and say “bag”. Also, “purse” sounds horribly snobbish to me.

By: Reena

Reena — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:20:28 +0000

Megs,

I always thought it was called Purse Blog, because it’s an American term? Instead of handbag? I use handbag, purse to me would be what you all would call a wallet? Funny how in different countries, it means different things!!

By: william

william — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:15:10 +0000

Oops! I just read showgirl’s comment. I truly appreciate that someone mentioned that before me!!

By: william

william — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:13:43 +0000

I use neither because a handbag is carried in the crook of the arm or in the hand and a purse is actually something that holds money, like coin purse or wallet. Americans have adopted the word purse as a synonym for handbag which we (Americans) use incorrectly to describe all sorts of bags. I just say ‘bag’. It’s genderless and covers all types of bags. The French say ‘sac’ which means bag in French.

By: Showgirl

Showgirl — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:31:37 +0000

I think the UK use of purse vs. handbag is closer to the proper meaning of each (from Merriam-Webster):

Purse
Etymology: Middle English purs, from Old English, modification of Medieval Latin bursa, from Greek byrsa
Date: before 12th century
1: a small bag for money

Hand·bag
Date: 1862
1 : suitcase
2 : a bag held in the hand or hung from a shoulder strap and used for carrying small personal articles and money

I prefer handbag.

By: heidi

heidi — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:11:23 +0000

i’ve always wondered what the myriad of definitions of bags really mean. can you make a glossary of definitions? for example:

purse
handbag
satchel
east-west
tote
frame
clutch
bucket
hobo
north south
messenger

By: L

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:29:41 +0000

Handbag. Actually, I usually just say “bag.” “Purse” seems a little old-fashioned (like a phrase my father would use) and almost like it should be a subcategory of “handbag.” That said, “purseblog” is still a great name; the P and B sounds roll off the tongue nicely. Don’t ever change!

By: Summer Roberts

Summer Roberts — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:26:47 +0000

I personally say bag, and I say purse when I’m referring to small articles such as wallets, coin change purse, clutch or something small. And yes purseblog sounds better than handbagblog!!!

By: Summer Roberts

Summer Roberts — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:25:42 +0000

I personally say bag, and I say purse when I’m referring to small articles such as wallets, coin change purse, clutch or something small.

By: luvhautecouture

luvhautecouture — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:14:58 +0000

I use bag and purse… but I like purse better because it sounds more elegant than “bag”