Bag

/bæɡ/ noun, verb

Definition

A bag is a flexible container made of paper, plastic, cloth, or leather, used for carrying or storing things. As a verb, it can mean to put something into a bag or to get or win something, especially informally.

Etymology

From Old Norse “baggi,” meaning “bundle,” which entered English through Viking influence. The simple idea of a bundle or sack has stayed stable for centuries.

Kelly Says

From shopping bags to “bagging” a prize, the word always hints at collecting and carrying. Even when you “bag a goal,” you’re mentally stuffing success into your personal sack.

Translations

AMአማርኛ
ቦርሳ
ARالعربية
حقيبة
BNবাংলা
ব্যাগ
CSČeština
taška
DADansk
taske
DEDeutsch
Tasche
ELΕλληνικά
τσάντα
ESEspañol
bolsa
FAفارسی
کیف
FISuomi
laukku
FRFrançais
sac
GUGU
બેગ
HAHA
jaka
HEעברית
תיק
HIहिन्दी
बैग
HUMagyar
táska
IDBahasa Indonesia
tas
IGIG
akpa
ITItaliano
borsa
JA日本語
KKKK
сөмке
KMKM
កាបូប
KO한국어
가방
MRMR
पिशवी
MSBahasa Melayu
beg
MYမြန်မာ
အိတ်
NLNederlands
tas
NONorsk
veske
PAPA
ਬੈਗ
PLPolski
torba
PTPortuguês
saco
RORomână
geantă
RUРусский
сумка
SVSvenska
väska
SWKiswahili
mfuko
TAதமிழ்
பை
TEతెలుగు
సంచి
THไทย
กระเป๋า
TLTL
bag
TRTürkçe
çanta
UKУкраїнська
сумка
URاردو
بیگ
VITiếng Việt
túi
YOYO
apo
ZH中文
袋子
ZUZU
isikhwama

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

“Bag” has been used as a derogatory term for women (e.g., “old bag”) and associated with stereotypes about femininity and shopping or appearance. At the same time, bag-making and textile work have often been feminized labor.

Inclusive Usage

Use “bag” literally for containers; avoid using it as an insult for people, especially women or older adults.

Inclusive Alternatives

["sack","tote","handbag","backpack"]

Empowerment Note

Women’s skilled work in textiles and bag-making has underpinned trade, fashion, and household economies, often without formal recognition or fair pay.

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