Purse
This article is about purses and handbags. For the race track term, see Purse Distribution. For monetary reward in a competition, see prize money. Purse is also a pronunciation for the surname Peirce. Purses, such as this one by Burberry, are fashion accessories with a function.In American English, a purse is a small bag, also called a handbag.
In British English, a purse is a small money container similar to a wallet, but typically used by men and including a compartment for coins, with a handbag being considerably larger.
A purse or handbag is often fashionably-designed, and is used to hold a number of items such as a wallet, keys, tissues, makeup, a hairbrush, feminine products, or other items.
Variations
Purses are usually carried by women, though men sometimes carry one as a smaller alternative to a backpack; such a purse is sometimes self-consciously termed a "murse" or "manbag" (portmanteaus "man" with "purse" and "handbag" respectively). It can also be called a "man-purse". Crocodile skin handbags in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, EnglandCoin purses are small purses, just large enough to hold money and cards.
A medium-to-small-sized purse with a short handle, designed to be carried (clutched) in one's hand is often called a clutch.
A larger purse with two handles is often called a tote.
A pocketbook is similar to a purse (in the British English sense), but allows the carrying of sheets of paper as well.
A security purse protects the carrier from travel theft. The purse includes an invisible stainless steel strap sewn into the fabric and a protectant on the main zipper.
Types of handbags
Clutch: Small, usually evening bag without a handle Satchel: large bag with small handle that is carried on the arm rather than on the shoulder Duffle: A large bag usually used for travel or sports Shopper: Big enough to carry shopping, but zips and is typically carried over the shoulder. It usually has one big compartment. Tote: Purse: Cross body:
Trivia
In the Oscar Wilde play, The Importance of Being Ernest, as a baby the protagonist, Jack Worthing, was found in a handbag in the cloakroom at Victoria Station, prompting Lady Bracknell's famous exclamation "A handbag?"
Talk:PurseFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, searchI don't know the difference between the many kidns of bags. Hobo, clutch, bowler, satchel, duffel, etc etc. Can you please explain this? Please, can anyone add this info to wikipedia? I will add an outline for this. Thanks.
The purse men use is called vaulet . what is the spelling of that
Do you mean a wallet? 24.252.147.48 22:17, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
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I believe that the clutch refers also (or either) to a handbag with a short handle so it fits under the armpit more closely, making it less resistant to snatching, but I'll need to check this. Dysprosia 05:30, 23 January 2006 (UTC)
History?
This history creates the wrong impression. It says 'Purses were carried by men in Biblical times over 2000 years ago. St. Mark's gospel 6:8 says: And Jesus of Nazareth commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse.'
I don't see why this would be in reference to what Americans call a purse (a hand bag). Surely it will be in reference to a small pouch for carrying money, which is the older usuage of the term (still in use in the UK). I don't see why the apostles would be carrying money in a handbag...--Jcvamp 23:16, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
Is no one going to comment on this or should I just remove it as it creates the wrong impression?--Jcvamp 20:54, 4 August 2006 (UTC)
I removed the reference. If anyone has any reasons why the reference should be in, feel free to revert the edit and post a response to my comments.--Jcvamp 21:53, 5 August 2006 (UTC)
The link on the word clutch links to the mechanical defenition of clutch.
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