Pocket: 'A pig in a poke' uses the same… | etymologist.ai
pocket
/ˈpɒk.ɪt/·noun·c. 1350·Established
Origin
'Pocket' is a 'little bag' — and the full-sized 'poke' survives in 'a pig in a poke' (buying blind).
Definition
A small bag sewn into or on clothing so as to form part of it, used for carrying small articles.
The Full Story
Frankish via Old French14th centurywell-attested
From Anglo-Norman 'pokete,' a diminutive of OldFrench 'poque' or Old North French 'poke' (bag, pouch), from Frankish *'pokka' (bag, pouch), from Proto-Germanic *'pukko' (bag). A pocket is literally 'a little bag' — the diminutive suffix -ete reducing the pouch to a small personal size sewn into clothing rather than carried separately. The Proto-Germanic root has no certain PIE ancestor but may relate to words
Did you know?
'A pig in a poke' uses thesameroot as 'pocket.' A 'poke' is a bag (the un-diminished form). Buying a pig in a poke means buying it in a bag without looking — hence 'a pig in a pocket.' And 'poach' (to cook in liquid) may also be related — the egg being enclosed
hollow. 'Pocket' as an adjective meaning 'small-scale' (pocket dictionary, pocket park) preserves the diminutive origin. 'Pockets' were not always sewn into garments; separate tied-on pockets were worn under skirts until the 18th century. Key roots: *pukkō (Proto-Germanic: "bag, pouch").