2

I'm trying to find a term for items that are commonly carried every day such as phone, wallet and keys.

"Everyday Items" doesn't quite seem to carry to connotation I'm looking for as it makes me think of a broader range of items that would also include dish soap, towels, forks, ect.

"Personal effects" is fairly accurate, however, it feels a bit archaic for the context I'm trying to use it.

Preferably this would be a single word or two-word term.

Any suggestions?

8
  • Pocket fodder is seen occasionally. google.com/…:
    – Phil Sweet
    Jul 21, 2019 at 19:56
  • 2
    People who take their preparedness seriously go with ‘everyday carry’ or ECD. reddit.com/r/everydaycarry/…
    – Spagirl
    Jul 21, 2019 at 21:22
  • "Personal effects" is fairly accurate and not archaic, IMHO.
    – lbf
    Jul 21, 2019 at 22:44
  • "Persoanl possessions" is an alternative to "personal effects". This is often the term heard in TV drama "The victim had a book amongst his personal possessions" Jul 22, 2019 at 0:24
  • I'd just go with "everyday items"—that will be most clearly and readily understood.
    – Robusto
    Jul 22, 2019 at 1:07

4 Answers 4

1

There is a community of people who use the term everyday carry or "EDC" to describe this very idea.

2
  • I first encountered this with respect to knives, but it’s much broader than that. See en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everyday_carry. Why not include this in the answer?
    – Xanne
    Jul 22, 2019 at 4:26
  • This point has already been made by @Spagirl in the comments.
    – jsw29
    Jul 22, 2019 at 15:34
0

A french term: "accoutrement" would be exactly what you describe.

0

paraphernalia

all the objects needed for or connected with a particular activity. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/paraphernalia

1
0

'Bits and Bobs'

I believe the original version of this idiom is "bits and bobs". It means the same as "odds and ends", which means "bits and pieces, remnants, leftovers". A "bit" was a coin (three-penny bit) and a "bob" was a shilling or twelve pence (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=define+bits+and+bobs).https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/4942/bibs-and-bobs-what-does-it-mean-and-where-does-it-come-from

Backing up a bit, “bits and bobs” does not have its own entry in the Oxford English Dictionary, but is included in a larger entry for various expressions that include “bit.” It’s lumped with “bits and pieces” (very familiar to Americans) and “bits and bats” (not so) and defined as “fragments, oddments, odds and ends; small articles, personal belongings, bric-à-brac.” The first citation is an entry in A Warwickshire Word-book, 1896, which gave a sample sentence: “Gather up your bits-and-bobs, and let me lay the tea.” https://notoneoffbritishisms.com/2018/03/23/bits-and-bobs/

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.