- pocket
- 1210, "bag, sack," from Anglo-Fr. pokete (13c.), dim. of O.N.Fr. poque "bag," from Frank. *pokka "bag," from Gmc. *puk- (see poke (n.)). Meaning "small bag worn on the person, especially one sewn into a garment" is from c.1430. Mining sense is attested from 1850; military sense of "area held by troops surrounded by the enemy" is from 1918. The verb, with implications of dishonesty, is from 1637. Pocket-book (1617) was originally "a book-like case for papers, etc.;" meaning "a woman's purse" is from 1816. Pocket-knife is first recorded 1727; pocket-money is attested from 1632.