Beanbag
/ˈbiːnˌbæɡ/noun
A small bag filled with beans or similar material, used as a toy, cushion, or throwing object.
Did you know?Beanbag is a straightforward compound from bean + bag, but its history shows how English often names new objects with blunt, almost spell-like literal precision before the word becomes normal.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
bēan
“bean, the edible seed”
Old English
OE
bagge
“bag, sack, pouch”
Middle English
ME
bene bagge / bean bagge
“a bag filled with beans or similar small objects”
19th Century
English
bean bag
“a small cloth bag filled with beans, used for games or cushioning”
Modern English
English
beanbag
“a bean-filled soft seat or throwing object”