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History of The Purse
The purse has not always been a bag used by women only. In fact the word purse is defined by MerriamWebster Online as follows.
Main Entry: 1purse
Pronunciation: 'p&rs
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English purs, from Old English, modification of Medieval Latin bursa, from Late Latin, ox hide, from Greek byrsa
1 a (1) : a small bag for money (2) : a receptacle (as a pocketbook) for carrying money and often other small objects b : a receptacle (as a pouch) shaped like a purse
Men carried purses since the invention of money. The utilitarian purpose of a purse might have been enough, but purses were designed to be stylish.
In Scotland, the Kilt has a matching accessory referred to as a Sporran. MerriamWebster Online explains the etymology of the word Sporran as "Scottish Gaelic sporan purse". The term may be different but the purpose is the same.
Today many men are carrying bags, purses, called Euro bags or bags for men or even travel bags. Whatever they are called their purpose is none other than to carry money and other small objects.
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