The Handbag

The term "purse" originally referred to a small bag for holding coins.

The Handbag

A handbag, also purse, pocketbook or pouch in American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items.

"Purse" or "handbag" or "pouch"

 In British English, it is still used to refer to a small coin bag. 

 A "handbag" is a larger needed accessory, that holds items

 beyond currency, such as a woman's personal items and 

 emergency survival items. American English typically uses

 the terms "purse" and "handbag" 

Modern origin

The modern purse, clutch, pouch or handbag came about in England during the Industrial Revolution and the increase in travel by railway. In 1841 the Doncaster industrialist and confectionery entrepreneur Samuel Parkinson (of butterscotch fame) ordered a set of travelling cases and trunks, and insisted on a travelling case or bag for his wife's particulars. Parkinson had noticed his wife's purse was too small and made from material that would not withstand the journey. He stipulated that he wanted various hand bags for his wife, varying in size for different occasions, and asked that they be made from the same leather that was being used for his cases and trunks; this would distinguish them from the then-familiar carpetbag and other travelers' cloth bags used by members of other social classe