What is the Difference Between Luggage and Baggage?

The difference between luggage and baggage lies primarily in their usage and connotations in British and American English. Here are the key distinctions:

1. British English: In British English, both luggage and baggage refer to the bags and suitcases that you take with you when you travel, together with their contents. Luggage is more commonly used than baggage in British English.
2. American English: In American English, luggage refers to empty bags and suitcases, while baggage refers to bags and suitcases with their contents. There is a slight preference for the term baggage over luggage in American English.
3. Military and Figurative Meanings: Baggage has additional meanings in both military and figurative contexts. In military terms, baggage refers to movable equipment and supplies that can be carried or hauled. In figurative language, baggage can refer to emotional, personal, or political issues that someone carries with them. Luggage does not share these meanings.
4. Etymology: The word luggage comes from the verb "to lug," meaning "to carry laboriously," while baggage comes from the French word "bague," meaning "bag or bundle".

In summary, luggage and baggage both refer to the bags and suitcases used for travel, but their usage and connotations differ between British and American English. Baggage also has additional meanings in military and figurative contexts that luggage does not share.

Comparative Table: Luggage vs Baggage

The difference between luggage and baggage can be summarized in the following table:

In American English, luggage refers to empty bags and suitcases, while baggage refers to bags and suitcases with their contents. In British English, both luggage and baggage refer to the bags and suitcases that you take with you when you travel, together with their contents. The term "luggage" is more common than "baggage" in both American and British English.