Bag 334185 221931445 2008-06-26T19:12:48Z Mormegil 75813 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 221801652 by [[Special:Contributions/65.7.228.96|65.7.228.96]] ([[User talk:65.7.228.96|talk]]) {{Refimprove|date=September 2007}} {{dablink|"Paper bag" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Bag (disambiguation)]] and [[Paper bag (disambiguation)]].}} [[Image:Kulturbeutel1.jpg|thumb|Wash bag]] [[Image:Militärbrotbeutel M1931 (German bread bag).jpg|thumb|German military bread bag]] A '''bag''' (also known as a [[sack]]) is a non-[[Stiffness|rigid]] or semi-rigid container, made of [[paper]], [[cloth]], [[plastic]], [[leather]], or some other flexible material. A bag is used for [[packaging]] and/or carrying items. For the latter a bag may have one or two [[Handle (grip)|handles]]; a [[shoulder bag]] has a strap to carry it on the [[shoulder]] (the bag is either carried on the side of the shoulder carrying it, or the other side). A [[rucksack]] has straps to carry it on the back. There is also be a string bag, with two strings which go over the shoulder and can be used as the fastening as well. A bag may be closable by a [[zipper]], [[snap fastener]], etc., or simply by folding (e.g. in the case of a paper bag). Sometimes a [[money]] bag or travel bag has a [[Lock (device)|lock]]. ''[[Sachet]]s'' may be fabric bags that are filled with [[pot pourri]] and tied off with [[ribbon]]s. A bag may or may not be [[disposable]]; however, even a disposable bag can often be used many times, not only for economic but also for environmental reasons. On the other hand there may be logistic or hygienic reasons to use a bag only once. For example, a [[garbage bag]] is often disposed of with its content. A bag for packaging a disposable product is often disposed of when it is empty. An empty bag may or may not be very light and foldable to a small size. If it is, this is convenient for carrying it to the place where it is needed, such as a shop, and for storage of empty bags. Bags vary from small ones, like [[purse]]s (e.g. as an alternative to putting small objects in [[pocket]]s of [[clothing]]) to large ones for use in [[travel]]ing like a [[suitcase]]. Cheap [[disposable]] paper bags and [[plastic shopping bag]]s are very common in the retail trade as a convenience for [[shopping|shoppers]], and are often supplied by the shop for free or for a small [[fee]]. Customers may also take their own shopping bags to the shop. The word probably has its origins in the [[Old Norse language|Norse]] word ''baggi''[http://www.sprakrad.no]. Although paper had been used for purposes of wrapping and padding in [[ancient China]] since the 2nd century BC,<ref name="needham volume 4 122">Needham, Volume 4, 122.</ref> the first use of paper bags (for preserving the flavor of [[tea]]) in China came during the later [[Tang Dynasty]] ([[618]]-[[907]] AD).<ref name="needham volume 4 122"/> There are environmental concerns regarding use and disposal of plastic shopping and trash bags. Efforts are being taken to control and reduce their use in some [[European Union]] countries, including [[Ireland]] and the [[Netherlands]]. In some cases the cheap bags are taxed so the customer must pay a fee where they may not have done previously. Sometimes heavy duty reusable plastic and fabric bags are sold, typically costing €0.5 to €1, and these may replace disposable bags entirely. Sometimes free replacements are offered when the bag wears out. A notable exception to this trend is the [[UK]], where disposable plastic bags are still freely available and are dominant. ==References== {{refs}} * [[Joeseph Needham|Needham, Joseph]] (1986). ''Science and Civilization Duh China: Volume 4, Part 1''. Taipei: [[Cave Books]], Ltd. ISBN 9780521087322 ==See also== * [[Airbag]] * [[Backpack]] * [[Bag knot]] * [[Baggage]] * [[Bin bag]] * [[Burlap|Burlap sack]] * [[Burn bag]] * [[Duffel bag]] * [[Holdall]] * [[Bag (mathematics)|Mathematical bag]] * [[Messenger bag]] * [[Packaging]] * [[Plastic bag]] * [[Plastic shopping bag]] * [[Paper Bag Records]] * [[Punching Bag]] / [[Heavy Bag]] * [[Purse|Handbag]] ([[British English]]) / [[Purse]] ([[US English]]) a ''clutch bag'' is a type of purse * [[Shopping]] * [[Sleeping bag]] * [[Tea bag]] * [[Tote bag]] * [[Trash bag]] * [[Travel bag]] {{Commonscat|Bags}} [[Category:Bags]] [[Category:Packaging]] [[gn:Vosa]] [[de:Tüte]] [[es:Bolsa de papel]] [[eo:Sako]] [[fr:Sac]] [[hi:थैला]] [[it:Borsa (oggetto)]] [[lt:Rankinė]] [[nl:Tas (voorwerp)]] [[ja:鞄]] [[nrm:Pouque]] [[pl:Torba (worek)]] [[ru:Мешок]] [[simple:Bag]] [[sr:Кеса]] [[fi:Laukku]] [[sv:Väska]] [[yi:בעג]] [[tr:çanta]]