POCKET, a small bag, particularly a bag-like receptacle either fastened to or inserted in an article of clothing. As a measure of capacity " pocket" is now only used for hops; it equals 168 Ib. The word appears in Mid. Eng. as poket, and is taken from a r Norman diminutive of O. Fr. poke, pouque, mod. poche, cf. " pouch." The form " poke " is now only used dialectically, or in such proverbial sayings as a " pig in a poke," and possibly in the " poke-bonnet," the coal-scuttle bonnet fashionable during the first part of the 19th century, and now worn by the female members of the Salvation Army; more probably the name of the bonnet is connected with " poke," to thrust forward, dig. The origin cf this is obscure. Dutch has poken, pook, a dagger; Swedish pdk, a stick.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
