[f. prec. adj. Cf. luck in a bag, LUCK sb. 3 b.]
1. A bag, at fairs and bazaars, in which, on payment of a small sum, one dips one’s hand and draws an article of greater or less value. Often fig.
1825. R. T., in Hone, Every-day Bk., II. 1309. Here is Rebecca Swain with her … lucky-bag.
1887. W. E. Norris, Major & Minor, xxxiv. Who knows what is in the lucky-bag.
1902. Blackw. Mag., Feb., 290/2. A regular lucky-bag of fighting men.
2. U.S. ‘A receptacle on a man-of-war for all clothes and other articles of private property carelessly left by their owners’ (Cent. Dict.).
1884. S. B. Luce, Seamanship, 310 (Cent.). Have the master-at-arms with you in this inspection, to gather up all articles of private property and put them in the lucky bag.
