Are they called.. pocketbooks, purses, handbags?

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

Whenever I write a post about bags (carried on shoulder or on my arm) I hesitate and wonder what to call them. I am wondering if it is regional or age specific. Just curious. I am from Maryland... west of central (we fight about it all the time in our area) ${#emotions_dlg.biggrin}$

I wear vests mostly or have lots of pockets. I prefer not to carry them at all. I end up forgetting where I put mine and I really don't have much of a collection anyway.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

In NY, they are just called "bags."

Krimpette · ‎03-09-2010

I hear all three here in the metro-DC area.

EdithEllenLily · ‎08-30-2013

I know a very elegant, wise older lady from Long Island who calls them "pocketbooks".

I think perhaps the current preferred fashion way is "handbags".

However, regionally (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois), I hear "purses" much more, and I mostly refer to them as "purses".

BeckiWV · ‎04-12-2011

I'm in WV.

When I was growing up, I said "pocketbook", which is what my mom and grandmother always said. When I got a little older, my friends and I all said "purse".

For the several years, I have started saying "bag".

05gage25 · ‎11-16-2014

Usually purse or bag here (Ohio valley area) .....growing up, it was pocketbook from my mom and grandmothers generations.

twingals04 · ‎01-06-2015

In my area of TN, everyone says "purse."

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

maryland area and i say pocketbook or purse.......i use the term handbag on these forums. a ""bag"" is something i get at the grocery store when i am checking out.

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

SoX · ‎03-15-2010

Actually, I've referred to them all at some point in my life. Currently, it's either purse or handbag for me.

stevieb · ‎03-10-2010

Time for our quarterly discussion on what to call a bag... There is no right or wrong. Generally speaking, the meaning is relatively clear regardless of whether one carries a purse, pocketbook, handbag or bag. I too am in DC area and grew up with pocketbook or purse, then gradated to handbag and now, at the post graduate level carry a bag...

In my pantry with my cupcakes...