Does the expression "Java bag" exist in American English?
Here is a question and an answer from a list of questions on Cuba:
Q. What is a "java" bag?
A. "Java" is the Cuban word for bag. Because of the shortage and high cost of personal hygiene articles, the State provides all employees in the public service sector with a free bag of toiletries every month. This bag usually contains deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, razors, etc.
My questions here are the following: Does this expression exist in American English (perhaps as an idiom)? If yes, how and when is it used?
Solution 1:
Java bag does not exist in American English. Incidentally, most of us think of coffee, programming languages, and the island of Indonesia when we see or hear the word java.
As Cameron comments, we do have Dopp kit, but they aren't issued by the government.
A Dopp kit is a small toilet bag, made of leather, vinyl, or cloth, that is used for storing men's grooming tools for travel. Common items kept in a Dopp kit are deodorant, a razor, shaving cream, comb, shampoo, nail clippers, scissors, toothbrush, toothpaste, and cologne. The name derives from early 20th century leather craftsman Charles Doppelt, a German immigrant to the United States, who invented his toiletry case in 1919.
Solution 2:
The word "java" pronounced "ha'va" does not have anything to do with java or coffee or toiletries. It is a common word used to refer to any shopping bag with handles. I am Cuban and the word was used Pre-Castro so it doesn't have any government issue reference at all.