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”

By: spoiled_brat

spoiled_brat — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:29:47 +0000

I say “purse”

To me, “bag”/”handbag” sounds odd and vague… but a “purse” is something fashionable and unique

Idk… that’s just my opinion

By: Megs

Megs — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:18:37 +0000

No no no, def not changing the name of the site! Just remarking that when we named it I thought of Purse rather than handbag… but realize I say bag or handbag more!

By: FashionAddicted

FashionAddicted — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:47:40 +0000

Of course, I’d assume that most of us say “bags” or “handbags” more because its just more modernized..
But honestly, if your thinking about renaming the site to “handbagblog” please dont!
purseblog is the name that stuck and i find it unique just because we dont say it that often in real life.

By: mel_mel1004

mel_mel1004 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:18:21 +0000

I usually say handbag or bag but i agree that purseblog is much catchier and direct!
Saying purse sometimes makes me think of a specific style of bag, like how we refer to clutches as such.

By: lula_bernie

lula_bernie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:10:33 +0000

I usually just say, “bag”.

By: Flora Earl

Flora Earl — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:46:38 +0000

Handbags all the way. Over here in the UK, purses are the things that we keep our loose change in. So a woman has a purse, wallet and designer handbag.

By: Jo-Anne

Jo-Anne — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:25:48 +0000

I usually say bag or purse. I don’t like saying handbag because when I hear the word “handbag” I think of hand-held bags and I prefer shoulder bags.

By: Anilu Magloire

Anilu Magloire — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:50:17 +0000

I use bag and purse, mostly.

By: Vlad

Vlad — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:36:08 +0000

I think guys are more inclined to call it a ‘purse’ than a ‘handbag’.

By: wgs

wgs — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:11:33 +0000

i voted for “other”, meaning i use the plain old term “bag”.