A flat, rectangular container with a handle for carrying business documents and papers. A professional carrying case typically made of leather or similar material.
Compound of 'brief' (from Latin 'brevis' meaning 'short,' referring to legal documents) and 'case' (from Latin 'capsa' meaning 'box'). The modern form emerged in the early 20th century with the rise of office work.
The briefcase became an iconic symbol of professional life and upward mobility in the 20th century, so much so that 'briefcase brigade' became slang for office workers. Its decline in the laptop age marks a shift from paper-based to digital professional culture.
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