# difference between a wallet and billfold **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 7, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671 "2011-06-07T21:55:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/1 "2011-06-07T21:55:51Z")
First off, I want it known, I DON’T watch Nancy Grace (Swift Justice). The TV was on in the other room and I heard her ask someone to clarify: [paraphrase]Was it a wallet or a billfold?[/paraphrase] What the heck is the difference?? I’ve always used the terms interchangably. If it makes a difference, it was a woman’s billfold (wallet). ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/2 "2011-06-07T21:58:32Z")
I use them interchangeably, but in the back of my head is the notion that the word ‘wallet’ has been around a lot longer than billfold. I associate billfold automatically with, well…a modern billfold. A wallet used to be \ anything with a single pocket to carry stuff in. So it could be a lot bigger, on a strap like a purse; I still get the impression that it indicates one opening to stuff things in. Billfold I don’t associate with anything else but a modern wallet. Edit to add: It appears my ruminations are correct, with the words being commonly interchangeable in modern useage. So…I have no idea why anyone would ask whether it was a wallet or a billfold, as there is no modern difference. Unless perhaps she thought someone had cheese, bread and wine in there? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/3 "2011-06-07T22:10:33Z")
For me a billfold is simple. It has one place for your bills and a place for your ID and that’s about it. A wallet has more places for other cards and pictures and such ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/4 "2011-06-07T22:10:43Z")
I thought a billfold _only_ held bills (i. e. banknotes). A wallet held all sorts of other things as well, like coins, cards, random scraps of paper… ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/5 "2011-06-07T22:38:01Z")
Here I come to save the day! A wallet is like what women have in their purse. It has a long section where you can put money without folding it, maybe a place for your checkbook, a change purse, etc. A billfold is what men carry. You put your bills in and then _fold_ it and stick it in your pocket. Thus bill-_FOLD_. You’re welcome. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/6 "2011-06-07T22:59:28Z")
Thanks, that was what I thought. Another reason to not watch the annoying woman, she asks irrelavant questions. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/7 "2011-06-08T13:05:56Z")
All billfolds are wallets, but not all wallets are billfolds? ---
**Author:** ![caspmct](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@caspmct](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caspmct)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/8 "2014-12-17T00:10:08Z")
personally, i can’t believe how hard it is to find a slim contour man’s wallet that DOESN’T INCORPORATE A BILLFOLD! i don’t want my cash (in the rare event that i have any) in my back pocket. and i don’t like feeling like there’s a ham sandwich under my ass every time i sit down. why can’t someone make a simple, flat wallet that has slots for a driver’s license, an ATM card and a couple other cards. period. cash goes in the front. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/9 "2014-12-17T00:12:52Z")
My dad had what I would call a ‘wallet’. He called it a billfold. I don’t think I ever heard him use the term ‘wallet’ for it, but I’m guessing they were to him two names for the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/10 "2014-12-17T00:30:09Z")
> [@caspmct](#): > > why can’t someone make a simple, flat wallet that has slots for a driver’s license, an ATM card and a couple other cards. period. They do. “Card case” or “card holder.” ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/11 "2014-12-17T01:42:34Z")
My grandpap called what I put in my pants pocket a billfold. To him a wallet was this much thinner but bigger “top to bottom” thing that held your cash (large sized notes at that) flat and had space for a couple cards or ID. It was usually inside your inside vest or jacket pocket. Think “truckers wallet” without the chair or zipper. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/12 "2014-12-17T16:16:04Z")
> [@caspmct](#): > > personally, i can’t believe how hard it is to find a slim contour man’s wallet that DOESN’T INCORPORATE A BILLFOLD! i don’t want my cash (in the rare event that i have any) in my back pocket. and i don’t like feeling like there’s a ham sandwich under my ass every time i sit down. why can’t someone make a simple, flat wallet that has slots for a driver’s license, an ATM card and a couple other cards. period. cash goes in the front. [You’re welcome](http://www.bigskinny.net/wallet-card-cases.html) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/13 "2014-12-17T16:38:04Z")
> [@caspmct](#): > > personally, i can’t believe how hard it is to find a slim contour man’s wallet that DOESN’T INCORPORATE A BILLFOLD! i don’t want my cash (in the rare event that i have any) in my back pocket. and i don’t like feeling like there’s a ham sandwich under my ass every time i sit down. why can’t someone make a simple, flat wallet that has slots for a driver’s license, an ATM card and a couple other cards. period. cash goes in the front. I’ve been carrying one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XOC9TU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for a year or so. Did wonders for my back, not having a big lump to sit on all day. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/14 "2014-12-17T17:25:19Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > I’ve been carrying one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XOC9TU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for a year or so. Did wonders for my back, not having a big lump to sit on all day. I may have to get one of those. That and a money clip and you’re set. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/15 "2014-12-17T17:28:15Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > I may have to get one of those. That and a money clip and you’re set. Actually it has a pocket that’ll hold about 8 bills. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/16 "2014-12-17T19:57:05Z")
If you ever really want to torture yourself, take your wallet out of it’s regular back pants pocket and put it in the other one. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/17 "2014-12-17T20:43:33Z")
Back in the '90s I used to carry a man-purse around everywhere I went, to avoid having a wallet-bulge underneath my right butt-cheek. I just couldn’t seem to keep that habit going (probably because I got tired of my tendency to stuff EVERY scrap of paper in there), so I considered an alternative to the unbalanced pelvis issue. I now have a wallet in each back pocket. I can’t really say it helps much. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/18 "2014-12-18T00:46:32Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > [You’re welcome](http://www.bigskinny.net/wallet-card-cases.html) 🙂 I was going to post the same thing. I got one at the Long Beach Motorcycle show a couple years ago. Best thing I’ve ever done for my lumbar region. My chiropractor warned me about throwing my alignment out-of-whack with my fat wallet. First thing I did was take the not-so-necessary cards and pictures out and stick them into two :eek: other wallets that went to storage. The other was to get a BigSkinny wallet (see link above) and put the rest in there. I’ve never carried much cash; the bulk has always been all those silly membership cards and photos. ☹ —G By the way DO NOT CARRY YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD IN YOUR WALLET. Or your billfold, for that matter. Get it from your safe deposit box only when you know you’ll need it (like first day on the job or such). ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/19 "2014-12-18T04:04:23Z")
Wallets were those long clasped things my mother carried in her handbag. My step-father had a billfold he sometimes called his pocketbook. He also carried one of those jelled football-shaped coin purses. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671/20 "2014-12-19T20:19:30Z")
In an ideal world: Wallet: Folds on the short side. Billfold: Folds on the long side. But we don’t live in an idea world. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-a-wallet-and-billfold/584671.md?page=2)