handbagging
nounEtymology From handbag + -ing. Originally, a metonymic reference to Margaret Thatcher's handbag.
- Much of the resistance to women at the altar had always derived from women in the pews; Dr Hewitt's handbagging style helped to undermine the feminists' refrain that these women's conservatism was the result of brutal oppression by men.1994, Jonathan Petre, By Sex Divided: The Church of England and Women Priests, Fount, →ISBN, page 100:
- I think the short answer is that six weeks ago the Prime Minister was promising his Back Benchers a handbagging for Europe, but now he is reduced to hand wringing.2011 December 7, Ed Miliband, “Engagements”, in Hansard, volume 537, House of Commons:
1 more example
- In Downing Street there was urgent fury, and it was coming from Margaret Thatcher, ready to give a handbagging to anyone who got in her way.2014 November 10, Jon Sopel, “And then Ron said to Maggie”, in BBC News: