Handbags, pocketbooks or purses? / myLot

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 8, 2016 11:04am CST

My cousin and I are starting to believe we are the only ones in the US who say "pocketbook". She lives in New Orleans and says people laugh when she says it. I live in PA and my friends call me Aunt Tilly as in "here comes Aunt Tilly with her pocketbook". We know there are clutches, shoulder and crossbody bags, totes, hobos, etc., but no matter what style, shape or color - it's a pocketbook to us.

6 people like this

7 responses

Marlina

@marlina (154103)

• Canada

8 Jan 16

I use the term purse most of the time.

2 people like this

Dalane

@Dalane (691)

• United States

8 Jan 16

I've always said purse. I never heard anyone say pocketbook.

1 person likes this

Michelle

@infatuatedbby (94909)

• United States

13 Jan 16

Same here.

mommaj

@mommaj (23112)

• United States

8 Jan 16

I still call them pocketbooks as well. Especially if they are small. I never saw the point in having so many names for the same thing.

1 person likes this

Michelle

@infatuatedbby (94909)

• United States

13 Jan 16

I never used the term pocketbook usually just handbags clutch wristlet purse bag.

Jabo

@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

8 Jan 16

In England they are handbags. A purse is just for your money, and a pocketbook is a book that will fit into your pocket.

1 person likes this

MARILYN

@Marilynda1225 (91013)

• United States

8 Jan 16

I still refer to it as a pocketbook (or as my daughter used to call them when she was a toddler..a poppybucket). As for the rest of my family all the girls seem to refer to them as purses

1 person likes this

Ronald Franklin

@RonElFran (1214)

• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

9 Jan 16

"Pocketbook" brings back memories. When I was growing up in Tennessee, it was a common term. But you don't hear it much anymore.