Handbag

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Handbag

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

HAND-bag  /ˈhændbæɡ/

Definition

As a noun: a small bag, typically of leather, carried in the hand or on the shoulder, used by women to carry personal items; Margaret Thatcher's metaphorical handbag — used as a verb to handbag someone means to verbally attack, berate, or forcefully assert one's position against them.

Plain meaning

A handbag is the bag women carry for their personal items — keys, phone, purse, and everything else. As a political metaphor from the Thatcher era, to handbag someone means to attack them sharply or browbeat them.

Register

The noun handbag is neutral and everyday. The verb to handbag is informal and specifically British — used in political journalism and commentary to describe forceful, aggressive verbal assertion. It retains strong Thatcher associations.