handbag
handbag Lexical Profile
handbag Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small to medium-sized bag, typically carried by women, used for holding everyday personal items such as money, keys, and cosmetics.
"She reached into her leather handbag to find her reading glasses."
• verb
British To verbally attack or ruthlessly assert dominance over someone (especially associated with the political style of Margaret Thatcher).
"The bold minister was thoroughly handbagged by the Prime Minister during the morning cabinet meeting."
• Rhymes for handbag
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'hand' and 'bag', first recorded in the mid-19th century denoting a small piece of hand luggage used by travelers. By the early 20th century, it evolved to primarily mean a woman's purse. The British verb usage originated in the 1980s, playfully referencing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's trademark accessory and her formidable, combative style of dealing with political opponents.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.