Definition of the word satchel

The word "satchel" originally comes from the Old English word "sæcēl," which means "bag." This word evolved through Middle English to "sachle" and then to "satchel" in modern English. In Early Modern English, "satchel" was used to describe a small bag typically carried by a student or scholar to carry their books and writing materials. This usage persists today, as the term "satchel" is still commonly associated with students or academics. The word "satchel" has also had other meanings throughout history. In the mid-19th century, it was used to describe a small, leather bag carried by merchants to hold their goods for sale. In the late 19th century, it was used to describe a small, leather pouch carried by workers in the coal mining industry to hold their lamp and other essentials. Today, "satchel" is used to describe a variety of bags, including cloth bags with sturdy bottoms and thick leather tote bags with a adjustable shoulder strap, typically carried by fashion-conscious individuals as a statement piece. In summary, the Old English word "sæcēl" evolved through Middle English into "satchel," which originally referred to a small bag carried by students and scholars to hold their books and materials, but has come to have different connotations and usages over time.