"purse" vs "pocketbook"

[volstork]

What's the difference? My grandmother always called hers a pocketbook; it was huge, had about a million zippers and compartments, and had handles, NOT a shoulder strap.
Are pocketbooks just for old ladies? My mom is older now than my grandmother was with her "pocketbook" and my mom still calls it a purse.
Who can solve this conundrum?

[Kat45]

1. I always called it a pocketbook then later heard that's a regional term.

I'm in the Boston area. Someone said that we call them pocketbooks here, but everyone else calls them purses. :shrug:

[Kutjara]

2. And what about "handbag"?

That's the generally used term in the UK, but I've heard some people here in California using it, too. I'm not sure if it's regional or not.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. It's a bag.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. A pocketbook is the every day satchel. A purse is evening wear.

my regional bias is Northern New England.

[Lex]

5. I agree

with your regional assessment and I'm in central NC.

[susanna]

7. I'm in Detroit, and (in my experience)

It is generally termed a purse for an everyday bag. I call it a handbag OR pocketbook for more formal occasions. IOW, I carry a purse in my day-to-day life. A satchel (to me) is more like a briefcase.

BTW to the OP. Wow. This is an original post. I never thought so hard about a purse/handbag/pocketbook/satchel in my life. You are an original. :hi:

[KitchenWitch]

6. What the bag is called is a regional preference

I know my grandmother in Philadelphia always called hers a pocketbook. My mom, who hails from the midwest calls it a purse. I alternate between purse and handbag.