.. I suppose in reality a hessian bag, a gunnysack, and a burlap bag are not the same thing as each is made from the respective textile that it is named after ..
.. hessian is a bit more roundabout as it seems the word hessian has been around for a lot longer than the textile that bears the name..gunny 1711, Anglo-Indian goney "coarse fabric," from Hindi goni, from Skt. goni "sack."
burlap 1695, probably from M.E. borel "coarse cloth," from O.Fr. burel (see bureau); or Du. boeren "coarse," perhaps confused with boer "peasant." The second element, -lap, meaning "piece of cloth."
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary
.. but the Dictionary of word origins, Flavell 2004, p235, confirms that ”this loosely woven cloth made of jute … takes its name from the West German state of Hesse where it was made.” .. maybe the association with the Hessian Mercenaries is why the bags are not called hessian bags in the US ?? ..Hessian 1677, from former Grand Duchy of Hesse, now a state in central Germany, its soldiers being hired out to fight for other countries, esp. the British during the American Revolution. Hessian fly (Cecidomyia destructor) was a destructive parasite the ravaged U.S. crops late 18c., so named in erroneous belief that it was carried into America by Hessian mercenaries.
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary
.. of course from my little days the most delightful use for a sugarbag was at picnics for the olympic event of the bag race where I can at times remember being swamped by the size of the bag .. and little boys loved to have a hessian bag to carry little boy things in .. *grin* ..
WoZ O’Aus 17/03/07