briefcase

A briefcase

A briefcase is a narrow box-shaped bag made of vinyl or leather with a handle on the end and is used mainly for carrying papers and other documents. Lawyers commonly use briefcases to carry briefs to present to a court, originating the name. Businesspeople and other professionals also use briefcases to carry important papers and laptops. The modern day briefcase's dimensions were made to perfectly fit a folded newspaper.

The concept of a briefcase is borrowed for use in Microsoft Windows-based operating systems, where files placed within the briefcase can be synchronised between multiple computers and to converge file modifications.

Most briefcases are derived from a limp satchel used in the fourteenth century for carrying money and valuables. It was called a "budget" derived from the Latin word "bulga" or Irish word "bolg" both meaning leather bag, which is where the financial term "budget" is also derived from.

Godillot of Paris first used a hinged iron frame on a carpetbag in 1826. Then followed the Gladstone bag and the Rosebery, an oval-top bag. Eventually these became the modern metal frame briefcase.

Types of Briefcases

A portfolio is a case without handles to be carried in hand or under the arm. The name comes from the Latin "portare" meaning "to carry" and "foglio" a "sheet".

A folio case is a portfolio with a retractable handle

An attaché is a box-style case made of leather, stretched over a hinged frame that opens into two compartments. It was traditionally carried by an attaché, a diplomatic officer attached to an embassy or consulate officially assigned to serve in a particular capacity (e.g. cultural attaché; military attaché).

See also

• Suitcase
• Money in the Bank ladder match

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