A type of electronic dance music and a subgenre of house music characterized by upbeat tempo (120 – 130 BPM), singable lyrics, and a simple 4/4 time signature that was popular during the late 80s and early 90s, especially in gay dance clubs.
Frequently performed by female vocalists (Whitney Houston, Amber, Kristine W, Deborah Cox) and punctuated with dramatic "break downs" or "dropouts" (where the music builds to a frenetic high, drops off to virtual silence, only to build again), handbag house is also known as "happy house," or "diva house," (and, more derisively, as "plastic disco"). Declined in popularity as harder, less melodic music (aka "tweaker music") became de rigueur.
Name pokes fun at deliriously happy dancers waving their handbags—imaginary or not—in the air. Alternatively, it may refer to a group of club-goers dancing around their handbags thrown on the floor.
Frequently performed by female vocalists (Whitney Houston, Amber, Kristine W, Deborah Cox) and punctuated with dramatic "break downs" or "dropouts" (where the music builds to a frenetic high, drops off to virtual silence, only to build again), handbag house is also known as "happy house," or "diva house," (and, more derisively, as "plastic disco"). Declined in popularity as harder, less melodic music (aka "tweaker music") became de rigueur.
Name pokes fun at deliriously happy dancers waving their handbags—imaginary or not—in the air. Alternatively, it may refer to a group of club-goers dancing around their handbags thrown on the floor.
That last set was some of the best handbag house I've heard in eons. I’m dizzy from spinning around out there, waving my hands in the air. Grrrrl, I gotta go hydrate!
by MusclyGeek May 21, 2019
by England Phi Beta Gamma March 01, 2014
Regirock, a legendary pokemon from the Hoenn Region, is essentially assigned with massive eyelashes, human hands with long fingernails, and a designer handbag.
by THE ORIGINAL ME May 11, 2024
A 6-pack or cask of cheap wine in a carry bag. Commonly seen carried between the Bellambi CBD and the Marina.
by Pan D August 07, 2024
by Sniffer the dog April 07, 2017
When you used to be a prince in the British Royal family and everyone loved you until you got Markled by your wife and now she acts like she’s more important than you and you act like her servant and the lesser of the 2
Awww look he’s her personal handbag I can’t believe he used to be a prince she acts like she’s the blood Royal lol
by Megxit crybabies March 13, 2021
Carl: "I think I'm gonna go pick up that hooker over there"
Jim: "Nah, think that's a dude. Look at the Hanoi Handbags slipping out!"
Jim: "Nah, think that's a dude. Look at the Hanoi Handbags slipping out!"
by Ninaleven July 15, 2023