From what era does the phrase "not my bag" originate from?

Answer 1

1950's

Answer 2

Hope someone can nail this. It is a tough one and goes way back because of such things as bag limit; putting on the feed bag; in the bag; bag of bones; old bag, hand bag, etc., etc.

I am going to guess that "not my bag" relates back to the roaring 20s and the criminal bagman. Check bagman on Wickipedia. The bagman in the Mafia collected operations money for the bosses. A bad beat cop was also a bagman. He took payoffs from the mob and delivered same to his precinct captain.

"Not my bag" became a phrase to denote innocence and non-involvement. People, including myself, made use of the phrase in the 1950s to mean it's not my thing, doesn't suit me or is not to my liking. Some use of the phrase on radio, in the movies, on Broadway, or some news event, may have given new life to the phrase in the 1950s although I don't recall a specific source.

After the 1950s the notation of bag man got hooked up with bag lady and the connotation of homeless person was eventually attached.

So I think the phrase started in the 20s and 30s and has been reborn by some event or use in every generation; as one other responder points out with Austen Powers.

Answer 3

Mid to late 60's, I think....it's a phrase that's often associated with the Hippies of that time....also, in 1965, James Brown hit #8 with his song "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag."

Answer 4

The Austin Powers era?